Gadget Freak

This friends could be the future... and it comes from 2003! A friend told me last week about plans he had seen for an entire computer confined to five pen-shaped objects. With mobile phone functionality, too.

At first I didn't believe him. I could see how most of the computer would work like this, flash memory can be confined to brilliantly small spaces and there are devices on the market at the moment that can project a virtual keyboard onto a work surface. However what about the CPU and the monitor, how could they fit into something the size of an ordinary pen?

At first I didn't believe him. I could see how most of the computer would work like this, flash memory can be confined to brilliantly small spaces and there are devices on the market at the moment that can project a virtual keyboard onto a work surface. However what about the CPU and the monitor, how could they fit into something the size of an ordinary pen?

I was intrigued so did some research and found that my friend was right. NEC Computers built a concept back in 2003 for a computer housed inside five pens. Dubbed the P-ISM the machine used two to project the monitor and IF keyboard, one to house a micro-CPU and also one that could be used as a pen with handwriting data input.

What's more, this pen doubles up as a mobile phone, which allows the device to connect to the Internet. On paper the device looks absolutely remarkable and can only be described as one of the most intriguing gadgets I have ever seen.

So why has it never been put into commercial production? At first this seems like an incredulous question, however with some calm thought it does make sense.

These days laptops are getting to ridiculously minimalist proportions. They may not be quite as convenient as five pens, but this gives them the advantage of having more space for a faster CPU and GPU.

The same applies to the display. On a laptop all you have to do is flip up the lid and there's the screen, your ready to go. Imagine trying to find a flat piece of wall to project your screen onto when you are out and about.

Finally, you can bet your own teeth that the machine would be state-of-the-art expensive. Imagine how much it would cost to commercially manufacture a CPU that could fit inside the barrel of a pen.

So although the device is absolutely brilliant, and it would be fantastic to see commercial production of these (though given the current economic climate this might not be till sometime in the next millennia), overall the P-ISM can only be described as a little bit pointless.

Tom Wilson

Thanks to NEC for the info and pictures.