Intel Names Winners Of Million-Dollar PC Design Challenge

Saying "goodbye" to the traditional big, beige box, TriGem Computer Inc. from Korea was awarded the grand prize for creating the best mix of style, acoustics, functionality and features for digital home entertainment with the company's Home Theater Lluon "Black Crystal" design. Mesiro from Norway garnered the first runner-up nod for its "Asono Merium" system.

"Intel is passionate about helping making sure home computers evolve to become as sleek and fashionable on the outside as the level of performance and innovation Intel processors provide on the inside," said Eric Kim, senior vice president and general manager, Intel's Digital Home Group. "Intel continues to evolve PC technology, making PCs ever more powerful and energy efficient, and we hope contests like this inspire others in the industry to match our aggressive pace of innovation."

Intel Viiv processor technology-based PCs are powered by the high performance and energy efficiency of the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Featuring two cores or "computer brains," the Intel Core 2 Duo processor has made it possible for the industry to reshape how consumer PCs look, sound and respond to people's entertainment needs. Smaller and sleeker computers enabled by these Intel technologies, coupled with the increase in online content and high bandwidth broadband connections, make it easier for consumers to enjoy their content in and around the home.

Like cars and mobile phones, as computers continue to become a larger part of people's daily lives, style is an increasingly important consideration to consumers who integrate them into a variety of rooms, lifestyles and uses. A recent Intel study¹ found that 73 percent of U.S. adult computer users want to buy technology products that reflect their personal style.

"In the past, it has sometimes seemed like computer manufacturers were following Henry Ford's motto: 'The customer can have any color he wants so long as it's black,'" said Genevieve Bell, senior researcher and anthropologist for Intel. "But today we are seeing the beginnings of a remarkable proliferation of styles, shapes and colors. And that is a good thing. We expect more – computers should not only offer compelling and meaningful experiences but also fit into the aesthetics and styles of our homes.”

Announced at the San Francisco Intel Developer Forum in September, the Intel Core Processor Challenge was open to original design manufacturers (ODMs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of PCs worldwide. TriGem will receive up to USD$300,000 to help offset the costs of enabling the mass production of its grand-prize winning system and up to USD$400,000 for co-marketing and promotional activities with Intel around the winning system. The first runner-up winner, Mesiro, will receive up to USD$300,000 to help offset the costs of enabling the mass production of its winning system.

Bringing expertise in technology, design and style, the panel of judges for the finalist submissions consisted of IDEO Founder and Chairman David Kelley; Ziff Brothers Investments Senior Vice President, Technology Strategy Michael Miller; Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini; and GQ magazine Associate Editor Kevin Sintumuang.

The Intel Core Processor Challenge, a unique and exciting way to encourage PC innovation, will be conducted again this year. The winner is expected to be announced at the Intel Developer Forum scheduled for September 2008 in San Francisco.²

View the complete Intel Developer Forum press kit at http://www.intel.com/pressroom/idf.

Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Core and Intel Viiv are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

1. Harris Interactive Survey, Sept. 18, 2006

2. Updated September 14, 2007: A second Intel Core Processor Challenge is no longer planned.