Colored notebooks

from the IBM-announces-colored-notebooks----who-cares? dept

Ok, so now everyone is into the colored computer market. Who really cares? Why do I care if the computer on my desk is purple or beige? It's a tool, not a date. Why not focus on making technology easier to use, instead of easier to look at?
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  1. icon
    Mike (profile), 30 Sep 1999 @ 2:07am

    Just cause you have no taste

    Hey Dan, just because you have no taste doesn't mean others don't. ;-) Come on, I can't believe companies haven't been doing colored computers for ages. There are tons of your average everyday consumer who finds those things important. I remember when there were computers in black cases for the first time and everyone oohed and ahhed over them. When I saw those (and that was a long time ago) I figured that colorful computers would follow within a few months. I always found it odd that the coolest looking computer cases came from companies like SGI and Next that weren't really selling to retail consumers.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Samu Mielonen, 30 Sep 1999 @ 7:32am

    Looks are part of system acceptability

    According to system acceptability studies,
    the visual/physical outlook plays several
    important roles in affecting the systems
    overall acceptability and hence usefulness.

    Some people have a mental block that
    ugly beige loud boxes are evil and will
    get broken if approached. This prejudice
    can partly be overtaken with industrial
    design.

    Furthermore, some people will not accept
    things to they environment that are ugly
    or somehow not outwardly pleasing to
    their likes. These people are making
    iMac the success it is.

    Furthermore, it could be argued that
    GOOD industrial design does NOT only
    affect the appearance of a computer
    box, but it's usability. That's why
    I think it's refreshing that ACTUAL
    professional industrial designers
    are also now designing computer boxes
    and not just guys with propellers
    on their hats (although they make
    good casing too, but not for ALL
    and EVERY purpose).

    So, chill and enjoy the variety....

    Regards,
    Samu Mielonen

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Dan Miller, 30 Sep 1999 @ 11:03am

    Re: Looks are part of system acceptability

    Oh yeah, absolutely. I can only imagine the productivity bliss I would be in, if only my machine were a soft shade of indigo. I'm going to go talk to my boss now about how the monitor color is offensive to me and I'm tired of looking at beige all day, and that I'm going on strike until I get some more palatable colors to work with.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Mark Baker, 30 Sep 1999 @ 12:32pm

    Lockin!

    I'm surprised that nobody (not just here on Techdirt, but anyplace that I've looked) has
    mentioned the obvious reason why colours matter; colour coordination.

    Look at audio components as an example. You can get them in black, but more and more manufacturers are adding customized colours (my Marantz SR-18 is "Champagne"). No other manufacturer that I know of has this same colour, so if I want to buy an amp, colour suddenly enters the equation and Marantz has the advantage.

    Maybe the question to ask is, are colours patentable?

    MB

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Bobby Joe, 30 Sep 1999 @ 2:05pm

    Re: Looks are part of system acceptability

    >Oh yeah, absolutely. I can only imagine the productivity bliss I would be in, if only my machine were a soft shade of indigo. I'm going to go talk to my boss now about how the monitor color is offensive to me.< br>
    Dan: Chill out. People have different opinions. Just because you don't see the neatness of having different colors for computers doesnt mean every other person on the entire planet is a frikkin idiot if they happen to like it. Don't be such an ass.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Dmitry, 1 Oct 1999 @ 3:22am

    ...cars?

    look out of the window (the real one :)

    you see any beige cars?
    yet car is also a tool..

    I hope you get my point.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    Giancola, 11 May 2001 @ 9:28am

    Re:black colored components

    I am looking for black colored compnents do you know any paticulac place? my cpu is almost done I need a ms natural pro to make it perfect but I want a black one.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Heather, 15 Feb 2006 @ 10:01am

    Re: Looks are part of system acceptability

    Thank you Bobby Joe, took the words right out of my mouth. Dan, I would like to know what color of a car you drive, I am sure it is not beige, this is 2006 and in case you have not noticed you get to choose a color for almost everything, "why not a computer also".

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    think...outside the box, 9 Mar 2007 @ 8:14pm

    People care for the same reason you care what color shirt to wear, what color car to buy, what color to dye your hair, what color couch to buy.....etc....

    Do you ask why color matters when you bought your cellphone or ipod. Its not like people are buying computers based only on their color, its function first then color.

    Its just a way to customize your gadget.
    Some ask why....I say why not.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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