Windows Phone Thoughts: HP Displays Its Desktop of the Future

I know that smaller computers don't excite most of you, but I have to applaud HP for continuing to pursue integrated computers that don't sacrifice too much. I suppose that if I hadn't spent so much money on individual components, I would think of my PCs are being appliances that simply get retired. But I'm too much of a geek for that...as soon as I'm done using the Shuttle SS51 for rendering a friend's wedding video, I'm ripping it open to start swapping parts back and forth between it and my main computer. There's something deeply therapeutic about reformatting my computers...



"Hewlett-Packard is displaying a concept PC here at Comdex designed to meet the needs of office workers of the future. Code-named Agora, the PC combines integrated collaborative software tools with an innovative hardware design that moves the computer box off the desk while keeping user-accessed components like optical drives within easy reach.

Agora (Greek for "meeting place") features a range of collaborative tools for workers within the same company and outside--for example, suppliers or subcontractors. It includes videoconferencing, whiteboarding, voice communications, and real-time file sharing, but for now, the tools are cobbled together from various vendors. However, HP says it is working with Microsoft to try and get the tools built into a future version of Windows so they all work together. Integration is crucial to the product's success, says Eric Croswhite, manager of desktop product marketing."