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Origin PC Genesis Review: Defining A Luxury Computer

Filed under: Gadgets

With just how advanced the computer industry is, it is incredibly odd that there is no coherent and definable "luxury computer" market. I mean, there are "luxury" branded computers, but they would hardly pass muster to any even basic computer enthusiast. I am sorry, but adorning a laptop with a leather wrap or building a desktop computer out of mostly varnished wood is not my idea of a luxury computer. Especially when it is what is on the inside that counts.

If you see a computer being advertised as for the well-to-do-segment, it is often a ruse with a semi fancy exterior, and nothing special happening on the inside. This doesn't cover everything out there of course, but has been most of what I could find.

You might argue that computers are tools and advance too fast for someone to invest a lot of money in one as a luxury item. Regardless of whether you are right or not, the automotive market has for years been making luxury cars that aren't the peak of technology for very long, and then there Is that almost amusing high-luxury mobile phone market. It appears that there are plenty of consumers wanting nice items, even if they only remain "special" in the short term. It isn't that I am not a fan of luxury. Quite the opposite – I making a living by writing about luxury. It is rather that I see a big hole open for a luxury computer industry - and I want it filled with something satisfying. The good news is that there is a luxury computer industry, but it isn't called by that name, and luxury consumers could quite easily miss it.

Munk Bogballe Ready for Christmas with New Online Store

Filed under: Gadgets

Muk Bogballe Computer
Specializing in sophisticated, made-to-order laptops made of aluminum, mahogany, leather, and precious gems, Munk Bogballe is gearing up for this year's Christmas shopping rush by opening a shiny new online store and introducing several new laptop color and personalization options. Building a beautiful and personalized computer just became more fun with four updated calf leather color choices (royal blue, passion, emerald green, and noir -- each with a matching sapphire, ruby or emerald on/off button) and the ability to have a message or a name engraved into the computer's aluminum case. Computers don't have a reputation for being the warmest or most personal of holiday gifts but people love getting them and Munk Bogballe's classy, engraved version could be an exception to that rule (plus the new store means orders can come in from all over the world so no more excuses).

Munk Bogballe Debuts New Bespoke Laptop Collection

Filed under: Gadgets

Munk Bogballe Luxury Laptop
Munk Bogballe debuted its new Classic Bespoke collection of laptops at the recent Millionaire Fair in Moscow. Assembled in Denmark these luxury computers aren't as flashy or dolled up as some creations we've seen but make a quieter, more sophisticated statement. Each laptop is made to order and options include aluminum (natural or black) or 18 carat gold for the metal surfaces, calf or ostrich leather in a variety of colors for the bottom and accent areas (other exotic leathers may also be available), and your choice of either a row of pave diamonds or single precious ruby, sapphire, or diamond gem to add the final finishing touch. The interior specs aren't anything amazing but should be sufficient to keep the average user happy. Starting at €5,200 ($7,200) and up.

Tod's Launches World's Most Expensive iPad Cases, Plus an App

Filed under: Gadgets, Handbags


Back in May we told you about the world's most expensive iPad, a ludicrous solid gold version priced at $188,000. Now famed Italian luxury goods firm Tod's is offering world's most expensive iPad case, which in this case is actually in excellent taste. The luxurious case, finished in genuine alligator, is priced at $4,900 - almost ten times the cost of Apple's un-embellished 16GB iPad itself. The one-of-a-kind accessory is handmade in Italy from the world's finest grade alligator skin, and will be available in brown, blue and tan from Tod's boutiques worldwide beginning in November. If that's a little too rich for your blood, there's also a version in buff colored calfskin for $495. Meanwhile Tod's has also launched its first iPad app, called My Life Is In This Bag.

The app allows users to enter and experience the world of Tod's and browse the brand's collections, and also showcases virtual themed lifestyles. The app reveals the contents of six stylish and sophisticated women's 'D' bags, the famed Tod's model favored by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Garner and Jessica Alba. Along with snapshots of each bag's contents, users can journey into the different lifestyles and personalities, including that of sexy socialite Lauren Remington Platt, and discover tips such as the most spectacular destinations around the globe with an insider's guide to art and entertainment. See more images of the luxe cases and the app after the jump.

Louis Vuitton Launches iPad Cases

Filed under: Gadgets

louis vuitton ipad case
Louis Vuitton is coming out with the ultimate luxurious accessory for Apple's much-loved new iPad – cases covered in the famed French fashion house's signature canvas. The sleek, simple sleeve-style sheath will be available in both Vuitton's classic monogram pattern and the more modern Damier Graphite checkerboard. Priced at about $365 apiece and set to be available in 2011, the cases are only a little less expensive than the iPad itself, but certainly lend it a sizable dose of style. And they're still cheaper then the handstitched leather versions my colleague Rigel Celeste wrote about last month. As British GQ notes, the Vuitton cases lend the device the "feel of a lightweight, ultra-portable attaché case - appropriate given that it is superseding your offline files and folders, [and] also gives your iPad some much-needed protection."

Dell and OPI Partner To Offer Laptops in Nail Polish Colors

Filed under: Gadgets, Cosmetics and Fragrance

Dell and OPI Partner To Offer Laptops in Nail Polish Colors
Tired of your black laptop blending into the background? Then spice it up by getting one of Dell's laptops festooned with a more personalized shade, courtesy of nail lacquer experts OPI. Now you can customize your Dell laptop (Mini, Inspiron, or Studio) with one of 26 OPI shades using the Dell Design Studio. Just perusing the names can be fun, never mind the color: "I'm Not Really a Waitress" (shown), "Green-wich Village," "No Room for the Blues," "Rosy Future," and "A Grape Fit!" are just a few. View all the available colors.

Thermaltake Level 10 PC Chassis by BMW DesignWorks USA

Filed under: Gadgets



Thermaltake probably isn't a name you're familiar with. BMW, on the other hand, is a name we figure has found its way into your orbit. When the former, a maker of PC cases, went to BMW's DesignWorks USA to help it create something that would get some attention, DesignWorks returned with the deep black and all-aluminum and glowing-red-LED Level 10. And Thermaltake probably replied, "Yes, that's exactly the thing."

A computer's internals are normally just that: internal. The Level 10, on the other hand, places all of the things that make your computer compute in individual black boxes, and hangs all of those boxes on an aluminum spine that hides the cables. Then it bathes the works in a red, fiber optic glow. We won't bore you with the technical specs -- that's what the Geek Squad is for; all you really need to know is that it will hold everything you could want your computer to have. It can even handle 3 Blu-ray drives for rapid duplication of all those George Seaton-esque moments you'll capture this holiday season.

Well, you should also know that it's big and heavy: more than two feet tall and 47 pounds before you put so much as a motherboard. Speaking of which, the case alone is $850, but if you need an actual computer you'll need to allot a minimum of $2,500. Genteel geeks and posh PC-ers, the ultimate computing machine is here and now shipping.

The 1.4-lb. Sony Vaio, Just Right for Your Evening Bag

Filed under: Gadgets

The 1.4-lb. Sony Vaio, Just Right for Your Evening Bag
Holiday party time is approaching fast, and before you know it you'll be trading in that summer tote bag you're still holding on to for a pretty little evening bag. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to take along your laptop for that moment when you need to do a quick e-mail check, or map out a route to the next fete, and you don't have a BlackBerry? Wait ... what kind of person is so uncool, such a Luddite, that she doesn't have a BlackBerry? Me. But I'm getting one soon, promise. In the meantime, if I had Sony's tiny, 1.4-lb. P Series Lifestyle PC, I could just slip it in my bag and go. Dimensions are just 4.8 in. x 9.7 in. x 0.8 in., and it comes in red (shown), green, gold, white, and black. The tech specifications are too much to get into here, but Amazon has all the info you need. Or keep reading after the jump for the official data from Sony's website. $999.99

Tumi Villa 17" Computer Brief


A laptop case needn't make you look like a Star Trek enthusiast or some sort of overgrown schoolchild, yet most such designs leave a lot to be desired aesthetically. That's especially true when it comes to sheathing the larger sort of laptop such as the Apple MacBook Pro 17". A stylish machine like that deserves an equally stylish case, however. Chic luggage and travel accessories company Tumi has come to the rescue with the Villa 17" Computer Brief (above). Made from the finest Italian texture coated canvas with luxurious vachetta leather trim and polished, nickel hardware, it features a padded laptop compartment, interior organizer pockets, and an adjustable, removable shoulder strap.The case complements the rest of Tumi's refined, elegant and classic Villa Collection, targeted to the sophisticated professional, featuring a range of designs for every requirement.

The Ultimate Minimalist Desk

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets

I'd totally call it
Heckler Design calls it "The Last Desk You'll Ever Own."

This minimalist desk, the OneLessDesk, is simple, chic, and clearly designed with Mac in mind.

It looks so beautiful, but could you really run your life with no hard copies of anything? Maybe it should be called OneLessDesk-OneMoreNearbyFileCabinet.

It comes in white or silver, and when you nestle the lower part in? It's about one foot deep. Just a foot! That's probably less space than your side table!

And, there's more that you don't see. The top shelf there is hollow, so there's a place for any usb and wifi ports you may need. Very smart design, Heckler. We approve.

Lenovo Olympic Flash Drives

Filed under: Gadgets


The Olympics is always a big deal and this year the event seems more spectacular than ever, and as always there is no shortage of Olympic-themed goodies and gadgets. One group of such gadgets would be these limited edition USB flash drives created by the Chinese company Lenovo. Ranging in price from $199-$980 there's one set that's made of some of the same material as the Olympic torch, one set shaped like medallions on a chain, one set that features a Chinese mascot, and one sleek silver set that comes in a special mahogany box. And of course all the sets also feature the official logo of the Beijing Olympics.

If you're interested in getting one of these themed drives you better hurry because they're selling out quick -- the "medallion" ones are already gone.

Munk Bogballe Workstation

Filed under: Gadgets


Apparently there's a Macbook in there somewhere, believe it or not. We've covered blinged up laptops before but this one is dolled up as a workstation, not a glitzy fashion accessory. Munk Bogballe has taken a basic Apple Macbook and added an anodized aluminum surface on the top and a European aniline leather underside, plus a sophisticatedly simple (but expensive) leather case to put it in. The 2.4Ghz Macbook underneath stays pretty much factory spec, plus 4GB of RAM and Windows XP pre-installed. £3,500

Via Engadget

24" Platinum iMac

Filed under: Gadgets


Computer Choppers is at it again, blinging up your personal gadgets with platinum, gold, and diamonds. They certainly seem to have a love of everything Apple (and I can't say I blame them) since from iPods to iPhones to Macbooks they've now moved on to the 24" iMac. There's not a whole lot of info available on their site yet except to say in coming weeks they're offering the iMac all dolled up in gold, platinum, and even rose-gold (a Valentine's Day treat for your tech-loving sweetie?).


Via Bornrich

The Eazo Luxury PC

Filed under: Gadgets


If you're looking for tall, dark, and handsome then the Eazo tower is calling your name. It's a "luxury" PC that pulls off an elegant air of mystery and ominous technology by keeping things simple on the outside and powerful on the inside. It packs an Intel liquid-cooled 3GHz Core 2 Quad processor, 2 duplexed 8800 GTX video cards, 4GB of RAM, and both a superfast 10,000 RPM 150GB hard drive and a standard one with 500GB.

For $9,000 it's not really my taste, but then I'm not into the tuxedo look on my computers (and if I really had the choice I think I'd go with a laptop anyway).

Gold-Plated and Diamond-Studded Macbook Pro

Filed under: Gadgets


I love my Macbook, but I don't know that I'd ever considering going so far as to plate it in gold with a big diamond-studded apple logo. But if you're of a different opinion and have the money to burn then you should get in touch with the team over at Computer Choppers and commission your own customized laptop casing, with options including gold or platinum plating with diamonds, sapphires, and other gems. Pricing varies, of course, but estimates for a gold-plated Macbook Pro run around $1200-$1500 plus another $500-$2400 for the logo (depending if you want CZs or diamonds).

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