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14-inch Transparent OLED Laptop Needs Clothes

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US

In addition to MSI's mystery dual-screen e-book/netbook device, another cool prototype on display at CES 2010 today is Samsung Mobile Display's 14-inch notebook. The company deems the notebook's display the world's first and largest transparent OLED prototype, and is supposedly 40-percent transparent when the device is turned off (the industry average right now seems to be 25-percent).

When turned on however, the laptop's display looks like something yanked straight out of a science-fiction movie. The prototype displays a working, viewable desktop. Items placed behind the display--whether its a book, a piece of paper, or a hand--can be seen through the display. On a personal level, that would get annoying real quick, but the overall idea is still really cool.

As for the laptop's base, there's absolutely nothing transparent going on. What would make this prototype laptop look even better is the implementation of a clear shell to match the OLED display, providing a glimpse into the notebook's internal organs. Again, that may be an annoying distraction for some consumers but we think it would look kind of neat.

Liliputing adds that Samsung could use the OLED technology for MP3 players, "heads up" displays for vehicles, banners and displays, and other electronics. Currently there's no word on when Samsung plans to finalize the product and release for manufacturing. Stay tuned for more info in the following months. In the meantime, check out a CES 2010 video via Engadget right here.

More on CES 2010

There are 17 Comments. B
Top Comments
  • 10
    josephschmo , January 8, 2010 2:48 AM
    "What would make this prototype laptop look even better is the implementation of a clear shell to match the OLED display, providing a glimpse into the notebook's internal organs"

    Nothing looks worse than transparent devices that are full of dust.
    Anyone have a Dyson?
  • 10
    Socnom , January 8, 2010 2:29 AM
    question. Is it 2 way? Can someone from the other side see what you are doing?

    If this ever goes mainstream, I'm going to be carrying little plastic men painted as CTs/Ts (counter strike) in my pocket to put behind the display for my gamer friends.. would be a funny distraction.
  • 10
    christop , January 8, 2010 2:26 AM
    That is cool..
Other Comments
  • 10
    christop , January 8, 2010 2:26 AM
    That is cool..
  • 10
    Socnom , January 8, 2010 2:29 AM
    question. Is it 2 way? Can someone from the other side see what you are doing?

    If this ever goes mainstream, I'm going to be carrying little plastic men painted as CTs/Ts (counter strike) in my pocket to put behind the display for my gamer friends.. would be a funny distraction.
  • 3
    xrodney , January 8, 2010 2:30 AM
    Looks nice and transparent could be used as window displays or even for car window.
    Now just give us 30" :) 
  • 5
    Blessedman , January 8, 2010 2:30 AM
    I must agree, very interesting indeed. Would be very neat to hang on a wall where it just looks like a wall until you turn it on. :)  I just love how bright OLED is and can't wait until it hits mainstream.
  • 7
    rsud , January 8, 2010 2:32 AM
    thats like so avatar!
  • 1
    xyzionz , January 8, 2010 2:36 AM
    It would be nice if it features multi touch screen
  • 10
    josephschmo , January 8, 2010 2:48 AM
    "What would make this prototype laptop look even better is the implementation of a clear shell to match the OLED display, providing a glimpse into the notebook's internal organs"

    Nothing looks worse than transparent devices that are full of dust.
    Anyone have a Dyson?
  • 9
    anonymous@guest , January 8, 2010 2:51 AM
    OMG!

    Now that would be even more embarrassing in the workplace or in school if P0RN Pop Ups stated appearing than it would be if some loud Audia P0RN Ads were to play all of a sudden. :D 
  • 2
    anamaniac , January 8, 2010 3:19 AM
    Sexy...
  • 1
    liemfukliang , January 8, 2010 4:41 AM
    Just a bit more to get rid the frame, and make hollographic transparent display :) .
  • -2
    kingssman , January 8, 2010 5:44 AM
    What i would like to see is a screen that doesn't need any illumination or backlighting at all, kinda like the kindle so you can use a laptop display off of surrounding light source without draining the extra power to have it illuminate
  • 1
    stuart72 , January 8, 2010 6:00 AM
    Socnomquestion. Is it 2 way? Can someone from the other side see what you are doing? If this ever goes mainstream, I'm going to be carrying little plastic men painted as CTs/Ts (counter strike) in my pocket to put behind the display for my gamer friends.. would be a funny distraction.


    Hope so - it could be used as a tablet just by mirroring the display when closed That would be useful
  • 0
    stevo777 , January 8, 2010 6:01 AM
    I was thinking this could possibly be the way to go to get real 3D without the silly glasses. If you could make the display just a little more transparent, and sandwich a few layers, you could probably have overlapping images that would look very dimensional. Of course, it's just conjecture, but it would be pretty sweet.
  • 0
    Atticah , January 8, 2010 11:32 AM
    they should make projection laptops :) 
    i mean cmon, they've already made projection phones!!
  • 0
    neiroatopelcc , January 8, 2010 2:19 PM
    Somehow I feel like extending the cables for the display and mount that as dash extention in the street racer project I'm starting on this year! Could be cool reprogramming the ecu and having web access from the same display on the fly.... will it be on sale in q3?
  • 0
    tommychan , January 11, 2010 2:58 PM
    Imagine that you can stick the flexible, multi-touchable, transparent OLED to your car front and running GPS navigation !
  • 0
    taltamir , February 7, 2010 1:36 AM
    this is so fucking stupid!
    Glare is bad enough, I have been waiting with baited breath for an OLED screen and they give us a transparent one? this will utterly suck to use. Cool in theory but utterly impractical!