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Photos: Futuristic PCs think out of the beige box
Move over beige box...
That was theme enthusiastically embraced by winners of the fourth Microsoft-sponsored Next-Gen PC Design Competition, which this year encouraged entrants to dream up futuristic designs that not only feature eye-catching aesthetics, but also cater to people's passions.
Industrial design student Avery Holleman won first place in the contest for this Napkin PC, "a multi-user, multi-interface, modular computer designed for creative professionals to collaborate and bring their greatest ideas to life". The interface consists of any number of 'Napkins' and a 'Pen'. When powered by the Pen, the Napkin is a multi-touch input display that responds to human touch as well as the Pen, according to Holleman's description.
In addition to his first place award, Holleman's design also struck a chord with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, who handpicked the Napkin PC for the Chairman's Award. Holleman received $20,000 (£10,000) in prize money for both accolades.
We've featured the competition winners and several of the finalists. A complete listing of finalists and qualifying entrants can be found here.
Credit: Microsoft/Avery Holleman
Based on Images: Futuristic PCs trump the beige box on CNET News
