New York — Hewlett-Packard and fashion designer Vivienne Tam provided a glimpse of a special-edition notebook they’ve partnered to create, during a fashion show of Tam’s Spring 2009 collection last night during New York’s Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Models held the device as they walked the runway wearing Tam’s garments.
Tam worked with HP to design the product along with the accessories and packaging. It is expected to be available early next year.
The notebook is red and features peony flowers on top and inside the notebook, under the keypad. The device will come with complimentary embroidered storage sleeve; the company has dubbed the device a “digital clutch.”
HP would not release any additional specific information about the notebook as of posting time. A spokesman told TWICE that actual specifications would be announced close to the product’s actual launch date. He said at this point, “it’s all about the design,” referring to Tam’s role in the process. He would not share any other information, including other design elements such as the exact size and weight of the product.
Though the dimension specifics are being kept secret, observers at last night’s show might speculate the device could compete with other smaller-form-factor devices such as Dell’s Mini 9 or Asus’ Eee PC — at least in terms of portability, based on the way models were able to carry the device down the runway in one hand as if it were a purse. Whether or not the device will be a fair competitor for those products in terms of capabilities, features or pricing cannot yet be determined because, as indicated, HP would not provide any of that information.