Packard Bell Corner Computer

Packard Bell Corner Computer
ManufacturerPackard Bell
TypeHome Computer
Released1995 (1995)
Introductory priceUS$1,299 (equivalent to $2,681 in 2024) (without monitor)
Discontinued1997 (1997)
Operating systemWindows 95
CPUIntel Pentium 75 MHz
Memory8MB RAM
Storage820MB
DisplayCathode ray tube Monitor/TV
GraphicsS3 Trio64
SoundAztech Sound Galaxy

Packard Bell Corner Computer was the popular name given to the models in the Executive Multi-Media range manufactured by Packard Bell in the mid-1990s, with a distinctive casing designed by the consultancy firm Frog Design to be placed in a corner.[1][2][3] This breaks with the usual trend of rectangular beige towers.[4]

They were originally marketed together with an infrared remote control so that they could be used as a multimedia centre.[5][6]

However, despite the distinctive design of its casing, some critics focused on the fact that the cables and slots were located at the rear, preventing it from being placed perfectly in a corner, as it was necessary to leave a space or the position of the floppy drive and CD reader on the sides, preventing front use.[7][8][9][10]

The pre-installed software included Windows 95 as the operating system,[11] along with Packard Bell Navigator, a program manager that sought to compete with Microsoft Bob.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ "Designers gone wild: most bizarre functioning computers | CyberNews". Cybernews. 23 April 2021. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Project | VT-69 Handheld Terminal | Hackaday.io". hackaday.io. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Fascinating Look Back at the Strange Packard Bell Corner Computer from 1995". TechEBlog. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  4. ^ Estapé, Juan Antonio Pascual (7 February 2025). "Qué fue de Packard Bell, el fabricante de ordenadores que competía con HP y Dell". Computer Hoy (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  5. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (11 July 1995). "Packard Bell PCs Add Another Remote to Pile". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Packard Bell introduces PC with remote control function". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  7. ^ "Designers gone wild: most bizarre functioning computers | CyberNews". Cybernews. 23 April 2021. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  8. ^ "7 Vintage Computer Designs That Give Me Nightmares". PCMAG. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  9. ^ Farquhar, Dave (13 June 2023). "Packard Bell Corner PC". The Silicon Underground. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Packard Bell Executive MM 907 C". HomeComputerMuseum (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  11. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (11 July 1995). "Packard Bell PCs Add Another Remote to Pile". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  12. ^ "PACKARD BELL MULTIMEDIA: EASY DOES IT". The Washington Post. 26 April 1995. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  13. ^ "Packard Bell Navigator". IT History Society. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2025.

Bibliography

  • Windows Panoráma, 1997 Computer Panoráma Kiadói Kft Internet Archive
  • Power Unlimited - Jaargang 3, 1995, VNU Media Internet Archive
  • "Packard Bell introduces PC with remote control function", page 44, July 11, 1995, Tampa Bay Times tampabay.newspapers
  • Packard Bell PCs Add Another Remote to Pile, page 133, July 11, 1995, The Los Angeles Times latimes.newspapers
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