X

Computex 2010: it's just bizarre

We did the hard slog for you and bring you the best and worst of Computex 2010, which is one of the biggest trade shows.

Ty Pendlebury
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
Ty Pendlebury
computex_1.jpg
1 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Trade shows are from another world, really. A land of fluorescent tubes, hot pants and pockets full of business cards. But sometimes you can actually find something cool.

Computex is one of the world's largest trade fairs, and with the recent addition of a second site on the outskirts of town it is now even bigger. Hence, it is crazy bananas.

Given the enthusiasm over Apple's iPad you would expect the event to be positively groaning under the weight of tablets — it wasn't. While Asus announced three new models and Intel showed off its new tablet designs behind closed doors, they were actually quite hard to find on the show floor.

Also, though 3D was on display, we didn't think it was as big a deal as in previous trade shows, but we did see our first 3D consumer camera, and gee does the technology scare us.

But what would the show be without ridiculous costumes and women without many clothes on. Yes, they were there by the bucket load. Read on for some of the high and lowlights of this year's event. Starting with this sheepish-looking guy...

Ty Pendlebury flew to Taiwan as a guest of Intel

"Dad, why do you hate me so much?"

(Yes, that is a rotating blade millimetres from his face. Yes, that's a cape. Yes, he was the least popular kid at show and tell.)

computex_2.jpg
2 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

The recent troubles at the Foxconn factory were sure to manifest themselves somehow. On opening day, about 30 protesters stood outside the main hall in Nangang for an hour protesting the treatment of workers with placards and pictures of loved ones.

computex_3.jpg
3 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

And back to the ludicrous. Ten metres away from the protesters, and seemingly oblivious to the goings-on, stood the first of many "booth babes". You can even see the crowd reflected in the window.

computex_4.jpg
4 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Computex 2010 is the 30th anniversary of the event, which this year attracted 1700 exhibitors and over 35,000 buyers.

computex_5.jpg
5 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

The number one complaint we hear about 3D is that people hate the glasses. Way to go Nvidia, you made them even bigger!

computex_6.jpg
6 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

The Asus NX90 is a premium desktop replacement, which features sound by Bang & Olufsen and comes with a unique mirrored, dual-touch-pad surface for "DJ-like multimedia control".

computex_7.jpg
7 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

A 3D technology demo featuring three wrap-around screens in 3D. The next best thing to virtual reality.

computex_8.jpg
8 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Asus' flexible OLED tablet prototype.

computex_9.jpg
9 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Further ostentation in the form of Asus' latest Lamborghini laptop, the VX7.

computex_10.jpg
10 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

A Thermaltake booth babe gets out her ban hammer.

computex_11.jpg
11 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Dancing in tandem was a very popular activity.

computex_12.jpg
12 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Intel's Wireless Display (WiDi) tech gets a boost with 30 new models releasing this year including devices from Dell and MSI.

computex_13.jpg
13 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Greased Lightnin'! Designed by the BMW team, Thermaltake's striking Level 10 computer case is a Computex award winner. After a paint job it's ready for a street race through the drains of Los Angeles in a bid to win Sandy's heart.

computex_14.jpg
14 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Overclocking is a serious business. Here, an enthusiast adds liquid helium (!) to wring a couple more megahertz out of a piece of silicon.

computex_15.jpg
15 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Antec's new Lanboy Air gaming case is based on the revolutionary Skeleton "case" and is entirely modular. Essentially consisting of a frame and removable sections/panels users can alter it pretty much how they see fit.

computex_16.jpg
16 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

A scantily-dressed woman with a Mio "tattoo" holds up one of the company's GPS units.

computex_17.jpg
17 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Giant. Stuff.

computex_18.jpg
18 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Playing a first-person shooter with a laser gun at the IDTI stand. Not sure what the slogan "Never Lose The Touch" has to do with anything.

computex_19.jpg
19 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

The official Computex opening ceremony featured more ladies — strangely with clothes on.

computex_20.jpg
20 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

The Aiwi is an innovative control mechanism that allows you to use the iPhone and iPod Touch as "a Wii-like" controller for PC. No word on supported games as yet.

Good thing it includes a rubber case — flinging our iPhone across the room is not our idea of a good night out. A wrist strap would be better, though.

computex_21.jpg
21 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Antec's new e-reader the LumiRead L600 features a 6-inch display, 3G connectivity and 2GB of on-board memory, plus expandability.

computex_22.jpg
22 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Is it just us, or does the disembodied head creep you out?

Dear God, it's the demon child! Don't look into its eyes!

computex_23.jpg
23 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man's favourite "case" — from the Gigabyte stand.

computex_24.jpg
24 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Vegas, Enermax's friendly robot, doesn't actually do anything but blink bright lights at you. A bit like the real Vegas.

computex_25.jpg
25 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Someone get Bill Gates Jnr on the phone!

computex_26.jpg
26 of 26 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia

Thor is a popular guy at the moment — what with crashing into the desert in Iron Man 2 and everything — and here he stands overlooking Thortech's PC power supplies.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos