Computers

Etch-A-Sketch Laptop Case Is More Fun Than the Computer Inside

While most of us have acquired too many responsibilities to waste the day away with a good, marathon Etch-A-Sketch session, every time we pull out the laptop to get more work done we can at least dream of less productive times with this Etch-A-Sketch laptop case. [bertz white via technabob]

Tech News Mark Wilson

Computers: Get Used to Them! (1982)

I would argue that the most funny, edgy and entertaining writing in the U.S. does not come from The Onion, but from high school newspapers. Granted, the humor coming from the Hormonal Fourth Estate may be largely unintentional, but it can be hilarious nonetheless. As editor of the “Reviews” section of my high school newspaper…

Tech News Matt Novak

The Lego PC We Knew Existed Actually Exists

The other day we posted a mean-looking, black as night Lego PC that didn’t resemble the iconic toy in the slightest. Then we described the picture that the term “Lego PC” painted in our mind’s eye, a “vivid red, yellow and blue case topped with a small army of minifigs and maybe a pirate ship.”…

Tech News Mark Wilson

Gallery of 101 Vintage Computer Ads

Sure, some of us remember using the Commodore 64, but do any of us recall what the ads for it were like? Boingboing has aggregated a wonderful collection of 101 classic computer advertisements by everyone from AT&T (yeah, I forgot they tried their hand in making PCs too) to Texas Instruments. Aah, to be back…

Tech News Elaine Chow

Asus’ Ultimate Eee PC S101 Will Have 64GB SSD, $899 Price Tag

The shiny brown machine in the photo there is apparently the top-of-the-range Eee PC S101 that was shown in Asus’ leaked presentation last month. It looks just a little bigger than the white 901 model next to it, and it will be about 0.87-inches deep, have a 10.1-inch LED-lit LCD, and have an Intel Atom…

Gadgets Kit Eaton

MIT Students Working On $12 Desktop For Developing Nations’ Schools

Forget the OLPC laptop, MIT’s new hotness is the $12 desktop computer for developing countries based roughly on the NES. The goal is to create an equivalent of the Apple II from the ’80s for less fortunate students across the world, likely to complement the OLPC laptop initiative. The designers imagine schools with computer labs…

Tech News Matt Hickey

Who Will Defend the Rights of Detained Laptops?

In one of those odd linguistic moments for which intelligence agencies are famous, the US Department of Homeland Security has confirmed today that laptops entering the country can be “detained” just like people can. Unlike people however, laptops (and any other device containing data) can be detained for any reason at all, for any length…

io9 Annalee Newitz

Some Nut Puts Working Desktop, 17-inch CRT and Printer in Convertible

Reader Henry found this “mobile office” in New York last night, which is probably one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen. It consists of a desk, a keyboard, a desktop, a CRT, a lamp, a printer and flowers, all mounted on the passenger side of a convertible. Wha? Apparently it’s some sort of New…

Tech News Jason Chen

S.F. Hacker Deeply Troubled, Turned City Computer System Into “His Own Private Network”

Initially, Terry Child’s hijacking of the San Francisco computer network had a rebellious vibe about it that was, well…sort of admirable. However, much has happened in the last couple of weeks that has painted him as more than a simple disgruntled employee. Now it seems that Childs is actually a brilliant but deeply disturbed individual…

Tech News Sean Fallon

Apple Computer in 1997 (1987)

This video from 1987 imagines the Apple Computer company of the year 1997, (tongue planted firmly in cheek). I can’t decide if the iPsychiatrist or the R2D2-style hologram is my favorite Apple innovation through 1997. See also: Apple’s Grey Flannel Navigator (1988) Apple’s Knowledge Navigator (1987) Project 2000 – Apple Computer (1988)

Tech News Matt Novak

Cutting Edge Algorithmic Architecture

Architecture has always been a mixture of art and engineering, but as we press on through the 21st century, the role of computers in the design process is becoming more and more integral. Algorithmic architecture is on the cutting edge of this movement, and the complex, rhythmic designs can be truly breathtaking. With that in…

Tech News Sean Fallon

Mouse Uses “Alien Technology” to Relieve Stress and RSI

Whenever a gadget is focused on ergonomics, buckle up for some seriously weird looking design. A prime example of this phenomenon can be seen in this “Alien Mouse” concept from designer Mizanur Rehman. The idea was to create a mouse that would strictly adhere to the principles of ergonomics and provide maximum comfort by molding…

Tech News Sean Fallon

New York Times: Analysts Aren’t So Big On The Netbook Movement

Today’s New York Times has a trend piece on ULPCs/Netbooks/Nettops/Subnotebooks/Mini PCs/*Insert Buzzword Here* and analysts who fear their low prices will spell doom and gloom for the PC industry. They cite the already low profit margins for PC sales as an example of what could drive computer companies into the red. Naturally success stories like…

Tech News Adrian Covert

Cornucopia (1993)

According to the company Empruve, this futuristic multimedia device from 1993, “will become as much an integral part of our lives as the telephone, the television, the typewriter and the book.” The photo and its caption (below) were found in the book Understanding Hypermedia. According to Caruso.com the developer costs for Empruve’s Cornucopia were between…

Tech News Matt Novak

Packard Bell (!?) Launches Gaming Desktop Line

Packard Bell—previously referred to as Packard Hell and Packard Smell—is diving head-first into the gaming PC market with the ipower X2.0, a gaming rig that features full customization at a decent price. It’s aimed squarely at offerings from Acer and Ares. The Intel-based machines give customers their choice of ATI or Nvidia graphics, disk drives,…

Tech News Matt Hickey

A Happy Ending to the Movie “Pi” in Real Life

If you saw Darren Aronofsky’s frenetic, disturbing flick Pi, you know that its hero, a supergenius who invents a super algorithm, meets a rather terrible end. Though he wants to use his algorithm for the forces of good, he’s pursued by evil corporate schemers who want to use it to predict the stock market. Eventually…

io9 Annalee Newitz

The Ones Who Disappear

Some of the greatest minds in high tech have given up the basics of internet life. Kevin Kelly, a founder of Wired magazine and the Long Now Foundation, reports that computer programming sage Donald Knuth no longer does e-mail. What happens when Knuth, the author of seminal trilogy The Art of Computer Programming, won’t even…

io9 Annalee Newitz

Voodoo Envy 133 Configuration Site Goes Live, Full Pricing Revealed

The configuration page for the Voodoo Envy went live today, showing the full pricing scheme for the 133 PC, which starts at $2100 and goes as high as $4000. The low end model features a 1.6 GHz Core 2 Duo processor and an 80GB, 4200 RPM HDD. The high end model has a 1.8 GHz…

Tech News Adrian Covert

Texan Law Requires Computer Repair Techs To Have PI Licenses

Texas has a new law that makes it mandatory for computer repair technicians in the state to have private investigator licenses. This is being contested by at least one advocacy group that’s suing, as many techs don’t know they’re being criminals by doing their jobs. The strange new law comes about because sometimes in the…

Tech News Matt Hickey

Question of the Day: Do You Get Stuck Fixing Everyone’s Gadget Problems?

The main problem with being tech savvy is that everyone looks to you to solve their gadget-related issues. I mean, I’m happy to help but sometimes I just want to say “go and Google it dammit!” This is especially true with anything computer related. You know what I’m talking about-that frantic call from a friend…

Gadgets Sean Fallon

Etch-A-Sketch Laptop Case Is More Fun Than the Computer Inside

Computers: Get Used to Them! (1982)

The Lego PC We Knew Existed Actually Exists

Gallery of 101 Vintage Computer Ads

Asus’ Ultimate Eee PC S101 Will Have 64GB SSD, $899 Price Tag

MIT Students Working On $12 Desktop For Developing Nations’ Schools

Who Will Defend the Rights of Detained Laptops?

Some Nut Puts Working Desktop, 17-inch CRT and Printer in Convertible

S.F. Hacker Deeply Troubled, Turned City Computer System Into “His Own Private Network”

Apple Computer in 1997 (1987)

Cutting Edge Algorithmic Architecture

Mouse Uses “Alien Technology” to Relieve Stress and RSI

New York Times: Analysts Aren’t So Big On The Netbook Movement

Cornucopia (1993)

Packard Bell (!?) Launches Gaming Desktop Line

A Happy Ending to the Movie “Pi” in Real Life

The Ones Who Disappear

Voodoo Envy 133 Configuration Site Goes Live, Full Pricing Revealed

Texan Law Requires Computer Repair Techs To Have PI Licenses

Question of the Day: Do You Get Stuck Fixing Everyone’s Gadget Problems?

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia Adds ‘Succulent Chinese Meal’ Guy

Feds Sniffing Around Polymarket After Suspicious Bets

DJI Osmo 360 Review: The Best 360 Camera for the DJI-Pilled

Don’t Get Too Attached to Any AI App

‘Paradise’ Writer Teases What’s Coming in Season 3 After That Huge Twist

Trump’s New White House App Is Mildly Concerning and Weird for a Lot of Reasons

Bloodsucking Ticks Can Survive Inside Your Home Longer Than You Might Think

The Best New Toys of March 2026

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

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