Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News

      Coming to Project Managers: Multiscreen Microsoft PC

      By
      Matthew Broersma
      -
      November 3, 2004
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        Microsoft Corp. has launched a new entry in its ongoing effort to bring more innovative PC form factors to market—in the somewhat quirky form of a high-end system specialized for project managers.

        The Project PC, introduced at the Association for Project Management Awards in London on Tuesday, is an extension of Microsofts philosophy of customizing PC hardware for specific verticals, the highest-profile examples of which have been the Media Center PC and the Tablet PC. The Project PC can also tap into a growing enterprise demand for smaller form factors, according to industry analysts.

        The system isnt as highly tweaked as some of Microsofts previous efforts—its innovation is essentially to offer small-form-factor hardware optimized for multiple screens. Microsoft says multiple screens is the most efficient way for project managers to work with Microsoft Project 2003, but the configuration is usually not supported by standard graphics cards.

        /zimages/6/28571.gifTo read an eWEEK Labs review of Microsoft Project 2003, click here.

        If project managers want multiple-screen support, why not just add it to a standard box? Its all about convenience, according to Microsoft: The company sees customers moving away from a one-size-fits-all model toward choosing from a selection of systems specialized for specific vertical markets. “We live in a world of convenience now. People want things built specifically for them. They want to order [a specialized system] and know that it will have the features they require,” said Michala Alexander, U.K. product manager for Microsoft Project.

        Next Page: Making It Easier to Juggle

        Making It Easier to

        Juggle”>

        The impetus for Project PC came from customer feedback, Microsoft said, with many project managers finding it difficult to juggle project plans, Excel reports, Word documents and other applications at the same time.

        Alexander said the system costs less than it would if the same components were selected separately. At £1,899 (about $3,500), however, the Project PC costs more than businesses might otherwise spend, with much of the cost accounted for by two 17-inch TFT monitors.

        Other features include a mini-chassis from Hoojum Design, a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 processor, a 160GB hard drive, a 128MB XFX PCI-E GF6600 graphics card and a DVD+R/-R writer. The system is only on sale in the U.K. for the time being, but Microsoft plans to roll it out elsewhere if it proves to be a success. In the U.K., the system is manufactured by Scan Computers International Ltd.

        One factor that could boost sales of systems such as Project PC is a growing demand for smaller form factors, according to analysts. As companies begin spending on desktops again—four years after the last big desktop replacement cycle—many are choosing machines that are quieter, smaller and easier to manage, said research firm IDC.

        “Small-form-factor PCs are growing as a percentage of the overall desktop mix,” said Andy Brown, IDCs EMEA program manager for mobile computing. “The market is polarizing into minitower and small-form-factor PCs. As with two-spindle, thin and light notebooks, small-form-factor PCs are proving to be the best compromise.”

        Media Center PC, Tablet PC and Project PC arent the only specialized form factors Microsoft is pushing. Last year, for example, Microsoft and HP introduced a communications-oriented system code-named Athens. The prototype, resembling a docked 23-inch Tablet PC, included a phone handset and video camera attached to the units sides, integrating PC, telephone and videoconference functions into one unit.

        Check out eWEEK.coms for Microsoft and Windows news, views and analysis.

        Matthew Broersma

        MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

        Android

        Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

        Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
        Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
        Read more
        Cybersecurity

        Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

        James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
        I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
        Read more
        Cloud

        Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

        James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
        Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
        Read more
        Big Data and Analytics

        GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

        James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
        I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
        Read more
        IT Management

        Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

        James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
        I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
        Read more
        Logo

        eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

        Facebook
        Linkedin
        RSS
        Twitter
        Youtube

        Advertisers

        Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

        Advertise with Us

        Menu

        • About eWeek
        • Subscribe to our Newsletter
        • Latest News

        Our Brands

        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms
        • About
        • Contact
        • Advertise
        • Sitemap
        • California – Do Not Sell My Information

        Property of TechnologyAdvice.
        © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

        Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

        ×