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Compiano: Part Computer, Part Piano, All Insane
Posted by Wilson Rothman at 1:50 AM on November 27, 2007
According to its eBay listing, this $US20,000 piano "is not a piano at all" but a fully functioning computer with a hidden 26" Philips LCD TV/monitor and a 6.8 GHz processor. Modded from a 1904 Chickering upright piano, the maker argues that it is not just "the world's most beautiful computer", but "the world's oldest computer" and the "world's highest security computer" as well. The description indicates that Compiano smells of rich mahogany, but we think we smell something else.
Longtime buyer, first-time seller "Compianos" says that the piano he used for the mod is an "upright grand"—I have always considered those two styles to be mutually exclusive. Besides that, we have some doubt as to the 6.8 GHz processor which he says runs Windows XP Media Center Edition with 1GB RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. And there is an air of desperation in his alternative payment suggestion: "I will consider a trade of an automobile + cash." He does, however, make a very reasoned appeal to "wives":
"Afraid you cannot afford it? Think again. Look at all the toys (cars/boats/RVs) your husband owns, pick one (with a clear title) and make me an offer. He'll understand, especially when he sees it. Don't you deserve it?"The Buy It Now price is $US19,998 (which would include shipping); the opening bid (which would not) is $US6,998. In any case, he plans to give at least 20% of the sale price to charity. Now, isn't that enough incentive to be "the first owner and the only one in the world who can boast to have one"? [eBay via Gear Diary, Gadget Lab]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Type-E
Posted 12:53 PM 26/11/07
stupid.
Type-E
cbdsteve
Posted 11:54 AM 26/11/07
That looks really uncomfortable to type on - the keyboard tray is way too narrow so your elbows would be in mid air while you type.
cbdsteve
strider_mt2k
Posted 10:55 AM 26/11/07
@cynep: -I'm supposed to come up with something witty after THAT??
Well done!
strider_mt2k
92BuickLeSabre
Posted 10:36 AM 26/11/07
@cynep: Niiiiiiiice!!!
92BuickLeSabre
cynep
Posted 10:32 AM 26/11/07
Well, you know what they say - "'Tis better to have Windows XP on your piano than jaguar on your organ".
cynep
CooperMaybe
Posted 10:30 AM 26/11/07
Oh thank goodness, the matching stool is included! Yey!
CooperMaybe
92BuickLeSabre
Posted 10:29 AM 26/11/07
Maybe a buy, but just to take it apart. Nice monitor, potentially acceptable hardware, and that sweet, sweet, protected Mahogany.
92BuickLeSabre
Monty
Posted 10:08 AM 26/11/07
Admittedly, I would have given this person some props if he took the original keys of the piano and had them usable as a keyboard for the computer. But, alas, he did not even do that, so the final grade is: F
Monty
Monty
Posted 10:06 AM 26/11/07
A computer inside a ridiculously heavy upright grand? Genius!
I'll take two!
Monty
mthrndr
Posted 9:55 AM 26/11/07
Just a silly mod.
mthrndr
jarobi
Posted 4:25 PM 26/11/07
real stupid.
jarobi
yougottabekidding
Posted 2:39 PM 27/11/07
6.8GHz processor! Now that would be cool. I had to search and did find this about the Atom Chip Corporation: [www.ubergizmo.com]
Now I'll pass on the piano PC, but this laptop or desktop I would take...assuming I could afford it and it actually works as claimed.
yougottabekidding
thezig
Posted 10:48 AM 26/11/07
LOL 6.4 Ghz this guy has been sniffling way to much mahogany! Its probably a HP setting inside where he hollowed it out. The least he could have done was recess the keyboard and music library better come with a lot of piano music just to ensure its cheeseness
thezig