Can your computer do magic?
This prototype design can. The Illusion PC is one of thousands of entries into the Next-Gen PC Design competition sponsored by Microsoft. Gizmodo spotted it, and I have to agree that it pulls off a pretty nifty visual trick.
The design makes the PC appear to have no inner components. The designer says the aim was to make the computer not look like a computer, and when turned off to look just like a household decorative object.
The cube measures 8.25 inches on each side and uses a Mini-ITX mainboard, 200-watt mini-PSU, and slot-loading DVD burner meant for laptops. It has room for up to two standard desktop hard drives. The Illusion can also come with a mini 6-inch monitor and TV tuner card as options. A small wireless keyboard and air mouse are used to control the PC.
While it's intended as a home theater PC, it could also be custom built to consumers' tastes, the designer says.
Click here to see the other equally awesome finalists in the competition.