The boring white cabinets and towers of personal computers (are all set for a makeover with global hardware major Hewlett-Packard rolling out skins in myriad colours that can be glued on to PCs.
The skins will help users personalise their machines, giving them the colour, picture or design of their choice. Moreover, the skins can be changed depending on their moods.
The skins are available in various colours and have pictures like that of butterflies, landscapes, cartoon characters ('Spiderman', 'Tweety Bird' and 'Shrek-2'), apart from designs like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Candy among others.
Designs from professional sports leagues, entertainment themes, college logos and colours are also available.
The skins are printed using digital printing technology and are crafted to fit the exact dimensions of the product. They are made from a 3M professional-grade vinyl, each skin is coated with a glossy finish to offer an added layer of protection. The skin has a lifespan of up to five years.
The cost of the skins for HP PCs and monitors start at around Rs 350 and go up depending on the size and skin design. Initially the skins will be available for shipment within the US only.
"Computers are becoming personal again. They are now as personal as the mobile phone or a wrist watch and with PCs becoming more personal, it is only logical that users want them to reflect their personality," HP executive vice-president (Personal Systems Group) Todd Bradley told Business Standard.
HP has partnered with SkinIt, a provider of on-demand and custom physical personalisation of mobile electronic devices, to roll out the product.
The companies have also put up a website, www.hp.com/go/skins, that enables users to upload images, photos or designs of their choice and order personalised skins.
This would help corporates to make custom-made skin with their logos or emblems, that too with the colours and pictures of their choice.
According to HP (PSG) senior vice-president (worldwide marketing) Satjiv S Chahil, "the skins can be attached simply the way you paste a sticker on your car. These PC skins are using a high-quality adhesive from 3M. They are easily adjustable and can be replaced at any time".
"If the user wants to change the colour of the skin, it can just be peeled off. The skin would not leave any mark or residue on the machine," he added.
The company also guarantees that these products not only look great but have a glossy finish too that is skinned to last.