Engadget is reporting that Microsoft has told PC manufacturers to make their beige boxes prettier, ready for Windows Vista release 
Microsoft pushing for designer PCs?
Microsoft pushing for designer PCs?
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Microsoft wants 'Designer PC's' for Vista
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What's with all the eye rolling?
You know damn right if Mac's were ugly they wouldn't sell as much, Microsoft is trying to make PC makers think outside the box of convention
Personally I never gave a hoot what my computers looked like. i've always built them, and i always get better hardware before buying some fancy pants computer case
macs are pretty, and that's true, but mac people shouldn't buy macs because they're pretty, they should like OS X
a friend i know, has had an ibook for 3 years. i used expose in front of her and she went bonkers not knowing what i just did. she purchased that thing for the sole fact that it looked good
so how do you want to feel? it's just a box. if i can get a mac in a pizza box for 300 dollars less then i would.
so microsoft is trying to improve their image, what is it you care? would you rather they buy coolermaster, antec, lianli, and become a hardware OEM for chassis? i thought so
You know damn right if Mac's were ugly they wouldn't sell as much, Microsoft is trying to make PC makers think outside the box of convention
Personally I never gave a hoot what my computers looked like. i've always built them, and i always get better hardware before buying some fancy pants computer case
macs are pretty, and that's true, but mac people shouldn't buy macs because they're pretty, they should like OS X
a friend i know, has had an ibook for 3 years. i used expose in front of her and she went bonkers not knowing what i just did. she purchased that thing for the sole fact that it looked good
so how do you want to feel? it's just a box. if i can get a mac in a pizza box for 300 dollars less then i would.
so microsoft is trying to improve their image, what is it you care? would you rather they buy coolermaster, antec, lianli, and become a hardware OEM for chassis? i thought so
do you think 5 people work at microsoft?
they hired designers to work in another building on its huge campus, well one of its huge campuses
they hired designers to work in another building on its huge campus, well one of its huge campuses
You seem pretty irritated with the general Mac population, wondering why we care so much what PC users do and think. But, I can't help but wonder, why is it that you care so much what we care about?LoveMacMini said:
Besides, cosmetics are only such an important factor for Mac users because we already know the OS and hardware are good. What's left to choose?
Microsoft should just concentrate on their software. they don't make the PC boxes so they have no right to put out a toolkit whatsoever. they have bigger problems right now if you ask me. and that one is called "Vista"
LoveMacMini said:
To be honest, the more pricier, better quality cases are usually 'prettier' anyway. For example, the Antec P180, which probably sets the standard in cases at the moment in terms of functionality, is also a very attractive piece of equipment. The only exception to this rule is those horrible cases with millions of LEDs, see through windows and neon wires that those spoilt 14 year olds buy with daddy's money.
It's only the likes of Dell, HP & Co that lumber you with a God awful looking case when you've payed top dollar for your system
You do know that the iPod box video was made by designers at Microsoft.Dane D. said:
They know they have a problem.
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balamw said:
It's not the designer's fault - it's the client. They can't design whatever they want - they have to design to the standards of their boss. If they made something sleek - Gates would be "that box doesn't have enough info on it."
Yeah, I think that was exactly the point the makers of the video were trying to make.7on said:
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ARS Technica is reporting that Microsoft has sent-out the "Vista Industrial Design Toolkit", and is speculating that it might fail because "industrial design costs money, and the growth markets for personal computers are in the very low end of the spectrum, where every penny shaved off the unit counts."
Microsoft ships "Vista Industrial Design Toolkit" to PC manufacturers
Now, I'm not a designer but what does "accelerated curves" and "purposeful contrast" mean or look like?
Microsoft ships "Vista Industrial Design Toolkit" to PC manufacturers
Now, I'm not a designer but what does "accelerated curves" and "purposeful contrast" mean or look like?
Do you mean something like this?
It's the color scheme, red and black, evil. They need more than a team of designers - they need a new approach. Their way is rooted in the infancy of Windows train of thought. They could release a totally awesome case design and monitor set but the user experience is still Windows. It's the package, an approach that envelops the user in his/her own world, a world where I can interact and get something done.
balamw said:
True, but the thing is... these kind of aesthetic best practices work when you've got a single company moving to the beat of some senior designer or visionary who has...well, a vision. So it works when Chris Bangle or someone like that sets the tone for his company's products. It works when Apple sets internal guidelines (presumably they do) about how things should look. But I see MS putting out a guideline about designer Windows boxes ending up imitating that spoof they made rather than overcoming it.
But who knows. Perhaps they'll embrace a broader philosophy like the current industrial design aesthetic and come up with something nice. Can't hurt.
Dell make a good-looking computer? I'll believe it when I see it... *thinks of those ugly XPS machines* ugh!