We at Gizmodo use only the finest internets. 80 hand-crafted ports, wrought from rare Imperial Russian sockets, filamentous diamond, and bell-steamed ether. Each packet header is presented to us for a tasting, after which we will SYN or ACK it, as is our wont.
So when we noticed Truvia was selling a hand-crafted couture computer, individually tailored around custom-built Voodoo PCs, selling for upwards of $60,000, we knew we had found something up to our snuff (also, we found our snuff, which we had mislaid in the ample bosoms of our lusty, yet thorough washwoman). We speak to company founder John Wojewidka about his fancy boutique desktops after the jump.
Gizmodo: Why don’t you have more product shots on your website?
Wojewidka: Examples of what we create exist at the moment in finished pieces of furniture that do not have technology integrated into them. We have produced a half-dozen prototypes, but none ready for public viewing. As any custom furniture maker will tell you, each piece is a prototype. The only difference is they have to be delivered to a real customer.
I have attached one photo [above] of a completed desk that has come closest to being a visually finished product. This three-drawer writing desk was a significant challenge. This form has the least amount of available internal space and is a packaging nightmare. Desks with pedestals and large drawers are far more accommodating. The wiring issues alone are kept a lot of us awake for many nights.
Gizmodo: What about other designs?
Wojewidka: The others are in various states of engineering. A couple no longer exist. Believe it or not, I’ve spend more than two years getting this far and now fully understand what this hasn’t been done before. It is not simply sticking tech into furniture. The infrastructures have to be engineered around the technology as any enclosure would. Critical factors are the same: noise, vibration, accessibility and heat management. Given processors run over 200C, placing them a few inches from a finely turned out piece of wood is not such a good idea.
Regarding what else can be done, it is up to each client. One design on the boards at the moment is raw, oxidized iron with glass panels. You can see through the top of the desk into the technology bays. Everything is visible, including not only the meticulously laid out technology, but the way the desk is fastened together. It’s like looking into the engine room of a cruise ship from a glass floor in the ballroom above.
Gizmodo: So I want to buy one (I’m selling my Gawker stock, plus I also found $59,980 dollars). What would I do?
Wojewidka:Typically, a customer would contact us to discuss their particular needs. They would include the form factor (desk, cabinet, etc.), materials, finishes and functional requirements (focused on business computing, gaming, etc.). Design concepts would be drawn up and a direction would be charted. At various stages of completion the customer (or their representative – interior designer, architect) would approve of the progress. This process could take from 2-6 months or more, depending upon the request.
The pricing is reflective of the amount of work, the uniqueness of the product and the absolute nature of the technology. If you went to VooDooPC and configured an ultimate system, you could easily run up a $14,000 bill. Take that configuration, add audiophile sound and custom fit it to a handmade desk, and $55,000 and up starts to make sense (at least for those who can afford it).
Product Page [TruviaLuxury via TheRegister]
