Dell Froot desktop is a concept design that's less tasty than it sounds
By Richard Lai 
posted January 18th 2010 6:24AM
posted January 18th 2010 6:24AM
posted January 18th 2010 6:24AM
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this is MADNESS!
@bobewreckem69
Oh... do I have to be the one to say it?
..."This is SPARTA!"
@mrmckeb this it FROOT LOOPS!!! OMNOMNOMNOMNOM
@Bryce IS*
Remove most desktop components as well and have it running apps/OS on the web and it's even more green/chuckawayable. Users can select the environments, OS and apps they wish to use from the web to their needs.
I'm so sick of seeing XP still being used on low-powered computers when even my N270 runs it just fine.
@sintricate
Windows 7 HP runs on a Z530 (1.22Ghz) fine, with Aero on
@Oli D
So we agree?
@sintricate Will it ever go away!?!?!?
@Marko
"After a nuclear holocaust, the only thing left alive will be roaches..." and Windows XP.
@sintricate I think you and he do agree, but he was the only one to mention win7...
@Marmite Turkey
I wish I could edit my post. I meant to say "even when my N270 runs SEVEN just fine".
No sleep :(
@sintricate
you call!
Hay, Engadget, if you are still a technology blog...how about you talk about the CONCEPT...seeing as this is what this is, rather than bash the thing as if it was a real device you had trouble using?
I see you show little objectivity here, yet we'll watch in disgust as you cream yourselves over simple Apple patent applications or indeed rumours!
The fact you managed to pull as many negatives out of a competition entry as you would an actual production item, yet can't do the same for imagined fruit based tablet devices is just funny at this point.
@Tes What negatives? And where's this cream you're talking about?
@Richard Lai
What negatives?
"concept design that's less tasty than it sounds"
"the color options are rather odd if not unappetizin"
"...that cursor isn't going to work without a mouse"
Yeah, the above seems quite optimistic about a concept! You seem very sure about what the proposed technology is to decide to tell the designer what they SHOULD be using (pico projector, Light Touch optics...) rather than position what MIGHT be used.
@Tes Wow, you must be very happy with your life. Good for ya.
@Richard Lai
Oh and the "cream" is here:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/15/apple-rumor-roundup-iphone-patent-4-0-edition/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/26/latest-apple-patent-app-details-multitouch-tactile-keyboard/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/apple-applies-for-head-tracking-patent-johnny-chung-lee-says-y/
couldn't find as much negativity in those three posts (3 url limit) as you had above.
@Richard Lai
RL makes post
RL gets called out on over negative tone
RL asks "what negativity?!" with straight face
RL refuses to acknowledge or justify said negativity when pointed out...tries shoddy attempt at insult instead. Yeah, paragon of journalistic professionalism right there.
@Tes If you take all jokes as negativities then so be it, plus we dig this design anyway so you seriously need to read this again.
I should've paid for that sarcastic mark...
@Richard Lai
U MAD
@Richard Lai
I'm all for humour, really. It's just it seems the snarky comments and "jokes" seem to doled out in a rather disproportionate fashion depending on the target...as if certain companies are afforded more reverence than others.
@Tes All I'll say is that those three points are less snarky than you see them: not tasty since it's not really a 'Froot'; colors... well, depends on one's preference; mouse and Light Touch -- simply plugging in something recent there to solve a seemingly missing input method. It's a fun topic nevertheless, hence the fun tone.
Now, for the 'cream' part: we pick up patents since they're usually interesting (you can't say those you listed aren't cool, right?), and the rumors are just like any other rumours -- people want to know so there they are. Do we criticise about said company? Of course we do. Some think there are more Apple rumors than any other vendors, but think about it: Apple only announces major products two or three times a year, so such rumor pile-up is inevitable.
@Tes If this was apple it would be the best thing since sliced cheese.
@Richard Lai
mate he has got a point, that a bit of a 5yr old remark.
@TacticalTimbo Go on...
@Richard Lai
It would have been simpler if you just admitted your nasty habit of gnawing everything that comes into view and then feeling invariably disappointed by their taste - especially when we're talking about unibody computers.
@Richard Lai Why not admit he's got a point and move on?
This is actually a very nice CONCEPT... not only green, but also with much potential in terms of mobility and cost. With further development it could become the affordable one-computer-for-every-person on this planet... Some models can be even made to work with alternative power sources from solar to pedaling... Two thumbs up!
Rendered photo for the lose. The projected keyboard is still visible under the hands.
Dell taking a design lesson from Crocs?
Great for mobility, all you need is a nicely-surfaced 90 degree angle. Plus, good for meetings / presentations, don't need to play "Hunt the Projector".
As pointed out in the comments at another "gadget" blog that rivals this one, there's no environmental advantage of making the keyboard virtual. The energy to run the lasers would far outweigh any material resource saving.
It would be better if the projector was built into an Eee keyboard type net-top.
@Tes It's probably more to do with the lesser amount of material used to construct this.
@Richard Lai you need to leave Tes' comments alone.
@Richard Lai
Yes, which I believe would be offset by long term energy use of the laser. I think it comes down to a one off hit on materials used or the long term consumption of electricity from the laser/projector keyboard.
@Tes
Exactly my thoughts - screw the laser keyboard, those are not practical. Put some laptop-style keys on top of this thing or make an equivalent of the Eee keyboard wit a projector with a scroll wheel/trackball - now we're in business!
Hey! Guys! (And we all know that most of us are mostly guys here, the cool part is it was designed by a chic! Pauline Carlos! Guy designed computers are eitehr Apple ][+ egg-white-ish or Thinkpad black, or teen skateboard design colors. This really is a cool sort of design.
I actually like the purple and green versions. It's a pretty cool idea even if it won't really work.
Next big thing at Apple, virtual keyboard and projector display for iPhone 4G. I love the dell concept but the look is hideous.
Cease and desist with the all-in-one's. If I want to replace an old projector, I am not going out to buy a whole big computer. Make this modular or don't make it at all.
@BigD145
this is designed to replace your computer, not your projector.
Tip to future innovators:
NOBODY will ever love a device with a "virtual" keyboard. For a keyboard to be at all useful or functional in the real world of touch-typing, it has to provide tactile feedback. If it's just a keyboard projected on a table, or a touch-screen keyboard, it's just useful as a "if I don't have a REAL keyboard, I can use this thing" sort of device.
There's no way I could type well on something that doesn't even exist in three dimensions.
@ZeroCorpse
How about having this in a coffee shop or other public please where people can use?
Blueberry muffin crumbs in the keyboards? Cracked lcd screens? Ripped mouse cords? How about sanitation? Its a lot easier to to wipe a flat surface than it is to clean a keyboard. Hello medical field?
Those keyboards suck and I will NEVER use one again. They will need to come out with a better "keyboard-less" design if they want people to buy it. That isn't going to be easy either. You'd be better off having one of those keyboards that roll up.
I think this is great... even greater on a small phone-shape device, don't you think?