Reader Comments (rss)

(Flattened / Threaded)

1.  

   Just cause you have no taste

   

   Mike (profile), Sep 30th, 1999 @ 2:07am

   
   

   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.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

2.  

   Looks are part of system acceptability

   

   Samu Mielonen, Sep 30th, 1999 @ 7:32am

   
   

   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
   

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

3.  

   Re: Looks are part of system acceptability

   

   Dan Miller, Sep 30th, 1999 @ 11:03am

   
   

   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.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

4.  

   Lockin!

   

   Mark Baker, Sep 30th, 1999 @ 12:32pm

   
   

   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

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

5.  

   Re: Looks are part of system acceptability

   

   Bobby Joe, Sep 30th, 1999 @ 2:05pm

   
   

   >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.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

6.  

   ...cars?

   

   Dmitry, Oct 1st, 1999 @ 3:22am

   
   

   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.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

7.  

   Re:black colored components

   

   Giancola, May 11th, 2001 @ 9:28am

   
   

   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.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

8.  

   Re: Looks are part of system acceptability

   

   Heather, Feb 15th, 2006 @ 10:01am

   
   

   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".

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

9.  

   

   think...outside the box, Mar 9th, 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.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

Add Your Comment