The evolution of the laptop is a story of increased processing power and reduced price point; the form itself has remained largely the same since the early days of mobile computing. Swiss businessman Jannis Widmer set out to change that, partnering with frog founder Hartmut Esslinger to better address the ergonomic needs of everyday users – and drive new value into the PC market.
frog and Dreamcom undertook extensive research to understand the pain points – both physical and metaphorical – of the current notebook experience. In many companies, laptops have superceded desktops in an effort to grant employees greater mobility. Yet at the same time, new regulations have forced employers to consider the ergonomic impact of their office environments. By raising the laptop screen to eye level, frog and Dreamcom saw the opportunity to prevent the head and neck aches that plague many officer workers today, uniting comfort and mobility in a single device.
The design team created telescopic rails that position the monitor up to fifteen centimeters above the keyboard, providing optimal ergonomic viewing for 90% of users. By placing the monitor on rails, rather than an independent stand, frog was able to maintain a light weight for consumers and a low production cost for Dreamcom – critical in the computer business, where profit margins are razor thin. Tests were performed to ensure that the mechanism could withstand repetitive use, guaranteeing efficacy for tens of thousands of manipulations.
By positioning the battery at the front of the laptop, designers were able to guarantee that the device would maintain balance, even when the screen is fully extended. An additionally docking station allows the notebook’s keyboard to be set at a slight angle for more comfortable typing, reducing wrist strain.
frog helped Dreamcom locate a contract manufacturer, Taiwanese producer Wistron, to ready the notebook for series assembly. Fifteen engineers and twenty-five manufacturing specialists contributed to the project – ensuring fast, affordable production.
The Dreamcom 10 Series notebook debuted at CeBIT 08 and is currently available across Europe. It is the first notebook to be awarded TCO 03 certification, the European ergonomic display standard, and its telescopic mechanism has been patented worldwide.
