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Wooden PC by Design Hara





One of the things that turns me away from products is when they are slapped with something saying it’s “environmentally friendly” or “green” when its not. If cutting down trees and mining the soils for ore is environmentally friendly then this PC by Design Hara, is exactly that. I get that you could recycle this but do people really buy products (namely electronics) just because they can be recycled?

My initial thought about this PC was of course the design. It fits into the mid-century category by the materials choice. The option of Italian Cypress wood, Canadian Rose wood or even sheep leather really give this the computer it’s substance. The keyboard and even USB drive also really add to it. Maybe next we’ll see a wood-framed monitor. But as cool as this is and as much as I love the mid-century design aesthetic, I would probably only use this as a decoration (enter Mac vs PC debate).

Images via Yanko

23 Comments Leave A Comment

2

JConda says:

June 17, 2010 at 7:35 am

I agree with your view on Design Hara’s push at ‘Green’ marketing. The carefully chosen word ‘Recyclable’ almost made me laugh out loud.

Personally I’m a PC lover. Guess I’m more of a hacker and hate being force fed an aesthetic. The possibilities for customization in both appearance and hardware have consistently won me over from the Macs minimalist slick.

Oh well. As always, I love what you guys are doing in this space.

Peace,

JC

4

Design Police says:

June 17, 2010 at 8:26 am

Macs are already designed. No nails or wood glue needed. This computer looks cool, but if anyone is going for this look only, just get the 1974 Bang & Olufsen Beo System. Way classier and no anti-virus software needed.

7

Jeremiah Johnson says:

June 17, 2010 at 12:03 pm

In defense of their “green” claim, I think the power consumption was their main focus. At only 60watts, it draws about 15-20% as much power as the average PC. But, I just like the style.

9

Christoph says:

June 18, 2010 at 7:06 am

I think the keyboard is pretty awesome. Would definitely buy it if it was available on its own.

However all of those “green IT” claims make me sick and definitely turns me off brands. Went to an automation fair recently where they had this huge billboard with a $1 bamboo stock image on it. The claim read “Our engineers are inspired by bamboo”, and then some more about what a great sustainable resource bamboo is. As I said, that was an AUTOMATION fair – the place was packed with engineers, how stupid do today’s marketing managers think that people are?

10

Mikael says:

June 19, 2010 at 1:15 pm

I’d never buy it for the “green” factor, but damn, I am seriously turned on by that rose wood.

It’s always nice when objects that are primarily functional are turned into something with more aesthetic value without disturbing the original functionality.

11

Dan says:

June 20, 2010 at 5:04 pm

@John I spotted a set of those speakers in action in a shop in Melbourne over the weekend, the don’t sound amazing but look just as impressive in the flesh.

The look like a harmon/kardon design, but no mention on their sites

14

Bob Dilbert says:

June 21, 2010 at 2:52 am

for ocular pleasure I think the design for the keyboard would have worked better with aluminium casing and wooden strip inlay as detail…

15

JMontes says:

October 22, 2010 at 7:29 pm

I like wooden case!
think it will be cooler than ordinary metal cases.

I know basic carpentry that is why I am into woods. :)

thanks.