Dell Froot screenless concept PC
The Dell Froot - merely a concept for now - dispenses entirely with such outdated peripherals as 'keyboards' or 'monitors.'
Okay, that might be perhaps a little misleading: what the Froot concept PC actually offers is a single-box system featuring a pair of projectors - a traditional pico-projector in the rear to turn any wall into a display, and a laser projector in the front to turn any flat surface into a keyboard.
Described as "a biodegradable, sustainable computer concept" on the Behance Network design portfolio site - via Gizmodo - the renderings provide a glimpse into one of the directions the box shifter sees things going.
The robust-looking unit is clearly designed for developing nations, where too many moving parts - as found in keyboards - have a tendency to break down with nobody nearby able to repair them. From that perspective, the system would appear to have promise.
On closer inspection, the concept is sadly flawed: as anyone who has used a keyboard laser projector as an input method will know, typing directly onto a hard surface is murder on the fingers - and the laser light used to mark the keys is often difficult to see in anything but dim lighting conditions.
The system's eco credentials are also questionable: while described as "biodegradable [and] sustainable," the simple fact is that projectors draw more power than a standard LCD display. Couple this with the fact that the unit will also require a replacement lamp - usually every 2,000 hours or so with standard projectors - and you're left wondering just how sustainable the design really is.
Objections aside, it's a neat unit - and one that certainly shows promise. While it's unlikely to replace anyone's primary PC, as a guest system which takes up a minimum amount of room and has a certain 'wow' factor it can't be beat.
Sadly for those who'd like to get their hands on one, it's merely a design concept with no plans for commercialisation - for now, anyway.
Can you see this representing the future of home computing, or would you need a real keyboard at the very least before you took the Froot seriously? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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You ever used that keyboard projection thing that thinkgeek sell?
Hurts like hell for extended use - I expect that would be much the same.
Stay as a concept.
To be fair, though, I suspect this is probably one of those little LED-based micro-projectors or something, which does alleviate a lot of the concerns with doing it. And means it'd be even dimmer.
this is less practical that a full desktop pc and requires more variables and conditions to be considered.
want to reinvent the way we interface with tech? dont dress up a typewriter and mouse limited to 2 axis with lasers and light shows and call it the future.
Mobile presentations could be one use, but this is sort of over-engineering the solution to a problem that doesn't really exist - they'd be hard pressed to market it to anyone other than those interested in a sleek looking gadget with money to burn. VGA projectors aren't that expensive or bulky these days, and neither are low-power netbooks - I've used my Mini 9 for the odd presentation in work, it's incredibly handy.
Apparently the future of PC's is XP....
Or pay a starving orphan to stand there holding up a big blank sheet.
This PC increases employment, it must be good!
...carbon interconnects? (could work as long as you fill up on liquid nitrogen) :D
...non-precious (poison) metal barriers/gates?
ooh..how to manufacture a biodegradable LED-pico-projector?
Don't Dell have..well...anything BETTER to do?
You beat me to it xD
XP has been found to be well suited for low power SFF applications like netbooks and "all in one" devices such as this horrendous purple monstrosity. That's why Microsoft have extended the support lifetime for the product.
Also it's better than Vista
http://xkcd.com/528/
I think they shoulda shopped around a bit more and not simply gone with the first search they found on yell.com
perhaps a membrane keyboard (like the type on microwaves or dishwashers) that are a little more impervious to water and rage bashing.
2000 hrs? I'd have to buy a new bulb once a year. Some of those bulbs for projectors can cost into the 100s of $. Don't sound like a bargain to me.
As for the laser keyboard, I think thats a bit overkill. Should stick with a good ole tride and true keyboard. I still use a keyboard that's over 10 years old because the keys have just the right amount of resistance. Have to use an adapter for it because the plug is still the big round circle before the smaller PS2 plugs came about.
AT Keyboard