i'm by ran elimelech and shay berenstein 'FUJITSU design award 2011' competition shortlisted entry

‘i’m’ concept computing system by ran elimelech and shay berenstein

‘i’m’ (‘interfaced memory’), a concept computing system by israeli designers ran elimelech and shay berenstein, reorganizes the basis structure of a laptop, integrating the primary hard drive and additional memory into the mouse, and additional input and output features into an optionally connected corded unit.

in the system, the net-book becomes the site of use, providing a screen and interface on top of processing power, but few additional hardware features. the decision to store memory into the portable mouse offers many functional benefits for data transfer and mobile working, but is also conceived of as an exploration of the bounds of our relationship with technological devices, whose data represent in some way an aspect of ourselves. containing both a primary hard drive and removable flash memory, the mouse is linked to a single laptop, but can easily be ported into other computers with a cable. USB ports, speakers, wi-fi hub, and power plug are all integrated into a removable input-output connector.

closer view of mouse and connector mockups

in the words of the designers:

”i’m’ deals with the relationship between computer and its user on a functional, emotional and perceptional level. it answers the question why do we sometimes feel that our personal computer is our best friend, whom we can connect to and feel most comfortable with. the project divides this deep connection into three objects that embodies those levels: the core of connection– ‘i’m’ (interfaced memory); the experience, the shell– the light net-book designed in a surface manner to enrich the emotional connection between the user and its computer; and the connector– an input/output connector that contains USB, speakers, wi-fi and power plugs.’the concept was shortlisted from over 1000 designs in our recent designboom competition ‘a life with future computing‘, organized in collaboration with FUJITSU.

renders of mouse

— those wishing to republish an excerpt of this article, please have the courtesy to link back to this original article, and to mention that the project was designed for the ‘FUJITSU design award: a life with future computing’ competition, organized by designboom in collaboration with FUJITSU. thank you.