Ron Schenone

Why Hasn't The Keyboard PC Caught On ?

Posted by on Apr 29, 2008 | 4 Comments

I was reading a few articles about Dell’s announcement about smaller desktops coming towards the end of the year. Not tht this is earth shattering, since Dell has previously made small footprint PC’s in the past. But it jogged my memory about the keyboard PC from a company called Cybernet. The entire computer is inside an over sized keyboard that houses the entire computer. It always amazed me that these computers were neither copied by the major OEM’s nor became mainstream.

Cybernet describes their latest unit as:

This new generation All-in-One PC in a keyboard not only takes up far less desktop space, but also puts an Intel® Core™ 2 Quad CPU with all its features and performance at your fingertips. The new ZPC-GX31™ is a true innovation packing so much power, performance and compatibility inside a normal size keyboard. With features such as Dual Display capabilities, 4GB of DDR2/667MHz RAM, 1Gb LAN and DVI interface you now have a complete personal computer that takes up no more space than a typical keyboard. Simply place it on your desktop, plug in a monitor and you are done!

Also, this is one of the only PC’s available in which the unit can be purchased without an operating system. So if the consumer wishes to install Linux or an copy of Windows XP, they are free to do so. Cybernet also offers an all in one unit which fits into a monitor as well.

But my questions is this? Why did this system never become mainstream?

Comments welcome.

Cybernet site is here.

[tags]keyboard, pc, cybernet, computer, small, foot print, all-in-one, linux, windows, xp, question,  [/tags]

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/theoracle/ the oracle

    The perception of low expandibility keeps these from going over big. Everyone I have talked to about them said that future expansion was a concern – even though we both know most PCs are never opened after purchase unless there is a problem.

    I once had a client that wished to put in about 30 of these in a language lab, but withdrew when he found that the units ran really quite warm, and resting fingers on warm keys was disconcerting – as well as possibly dangerous, the classroom did not have great A/C, and this was SoCal. (at the time I think they were using P4 2.4Ghz units, as standard)

    I always though it would be cool to get one, but never got around to buying. I think I may be stuck in the ‘bigger is better’ mold as well, as 7 of the 9 computers in my house are full towers, with 9-12 drive bays.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Marc,
    They do run toasty. :-)

  • Don Naphen

    I guess my only experience with the “all in one” concept was back in the Commodore 64 days Ron. I thought it had the best keyboard in the industry, which leads me to ask: what happens when the keyboard malfunctions, or some keys just wear out? Is the keyboard replaceable or does one just replace the entire unit? I know at work I do a lot of data entry and the 10-key pad gets a real workout … have had to replace the keyboard once so far. Don’t think my IT dept. would be too happy if it was part of the pc! LOL

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Don,
    The top of unit which houses the keyboard and is user replaceable. :-) In fact everything in the unit can be replaced. The hardest part is the hard disk. The connector cables are hard to connect.

    Regards, Ron