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• May 7, 2003 •

Microsoft and HP Unveil 'Athens' PC Prototype

Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect at Microsoft Corp., yesterday unveiled a new PC prototype during his opening keynote at the 12th annual Windows® Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC). Gates showed the new PC prototype as just one example of the type of innovation required to address the needs of users -- innovation that is only possible when hardware and software are developed together.

Sample 'Athens' PC Implementation The "Athens" PC prototype will be used by both Microsoft and HP to validate the "Athens" PC concepts in real-world business environments. The "Athens" PC design is the natural next step from the HP Agora initiative introduced at COMDEX in November 2002. The ultimate goal is an innovative new platform that incorporates these new features and that is closely aligned with the Microsoft® Windows® operating system.

Co-developed with HP and code-named "Athens," the advanced PC prototype represents an evolution of the PC as a center for communication and collaboration, one that simultaneously simplifies PC operations while merging all forms of communication -- including next-generation voice, video and text messaging -- into a consistent, streamlined design.

"The hardware industry and Microsoft are leading the next wave of PC development by creating unprecedented levels of synergy between hardware and software," Gates said. "The result will be innovative products that improve the way our customers work, communicate, learn and are entertained. The 'Athens' PC prototype is just one example of the amazing things that are possible when hardware and software companies collaborate deeply on new designs."

The "Athens" PC prototype provides significant productivity improvements for information workers through features:

  • Integrated telephony functionality with wireless handset and headset provides users with one central communications unit, allowing them to communicate and collaborate more efficiently.
  • A high-DPI 23-inch wide-form-factor flat panel display improves readability with a horizontal, 16:10 aspect ratio for working comfortably with multiple documents on the screen. A side-loading CD/DVD drive is integrated with the monitor.
  • Intuitive and consistent system controls makes the PC user experience more seamless.
  • Improved PC fundamentals such as truly quiet operation, appliance-like availability and high-quality audio allows for new PC placement locations.

The "Athens" PC design includes the following fundamental improvements to user experience:

  • The power button transitions the PC between on and standby in less than two seconds.
  • A fail-safe power supply transitions the system to hibernation to preserve user data if power is disrupted or lost.
  • Integrated speakerphone-quality speakers and microphone provide high-quality audio for telephony, audio communications and media playback.
  • Quiet components and other sound-dampening techniques reduce acoustic emissions that interfere with audio and affect user productivity.
  • Use of Bluetooth™ wireless technology peripheral area network and IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network to simplify PC deployment and remove clutter from the desktop.

"Athens" PC Pricing.

The "Athens" PC is designed to be priced similarly to PCs that businesses are currently purchasing for knowledge workers. According to Microsoft, research shows that business decision-makers are willing to pay more for a PC with "Athens" PC design features. Assuming an average retail price of $1,366 (the average price of PCs purchased by enterprises in the US in the fourth quarter of 2002) for a typically configured system with storage, memory, keyboard and monitor, an "Athens" PC design with the following features could be priced at $1,757:

Average retail price of typical PC $1,366
Integrated telephony (including buttons and speakerphone) +$190
Instant on (less than 2 seconds to resume from standby) +$74
No data loss in case of power outage +$127
Total for "Athens" PC design $1,757

For more information see the Microsoft Hardware & Driver Central Web site.

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Last Updated: May 7, 2003