Intel's Concept for AIO Broadwell PCs Codenamed Blackbrook

Intel is looking to reinvent the desktop. After decades of the ubiquitous tower, Intel is looking toward the next big form factor that will house its desktop chips. While enthusiasts love the tower for obvious reasons, all-in-ones are becoming increasingly popular with mainstream buyers.

During a conference call, Intel VP and GM of Desktop Client Platforms Group, Lisa Graff, said that consumers are drawn to all-in-ones for the combination of the power of a desktop inside a big, beautiful screen. In its development of new all-in-one designs, Intel crafted prototypes and tested them with actual families in their phones. Intel discovered that people tend to move their computers around. In the U.S., one in three computer users have moved their tower machines. In China, however, two out of three have moved their towers. This behavior shaped Intel's portable all-in-one concept called Blackbrook.

Blackbrook is based on Broadwell and incorporates several new technologies, such as RealSense Camera that can detect gestures, and quad-array microphones for clear sound input regardless of orientation. One of its design trademarks is a popup handle so that users may carry it like a suitcase, which Intel says makes it perfect for taking from the office or study into the kitchen or living room to fulfill both work and play functions.

Intel's been showing off its prototype for a while now. In fact, a Haswell-based version of it was codenamed Bluebrook, but the timing to market made it better suited as a Broadwell device. In fact, these portable all-in-ones (pAIO) will be using the mobile versions of Broadwell, giving the same design values on battery life and packaging.

Story updated with photos.

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