Compal Designs a Laptop with Foldable Palm Rest
While the form factor of laptops has traditionally remained rather constant, this has not deterred manufacturers from introducing subtle innovations within this established framework. According to Liliputing, Compal has designed a laptop dubbed the “Mobile Office,” which recently garnered an iF Design Award for its distinctive foldable palm rest feature.
As many users connect external keyboards and mice when using laptops on desktops, Compal hopes this design will free up additional space for other items. The design also enables the laptop to be placed in various locations, such as narrow windowsills and is suited for use in confined spaces like vehicles or economy-class airplane cabins.
Furthermore, when the palm rest is folded, the rear of the laptop reveals two USB Type-A ports, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. According to Compal, the folding design can also enhance the device’s performance, with a 25% improvement in heat dissipation when folded.
Although the concept appears promising, Compal’s laptop may still be a conceptual design. It is worth noting that Compal is an original design manufacturer (ODM), so if this laptop does eventually come to market, it may bear another company’s branding.
Overall, the foldable palm rest laptop is an innovative and practical creation. However, the design, which only reveals most ports when in the folded state, seems somewhat restrictive. To ensure maximum usability, it would be preferable to design the ports to be accessible in both folded and unfolded configurations.