The concept behind all-in-one PCs is interesting to me. You cram everything a PC needs inside the LCD case and save space on the floor and make things more attractive overall. The downside of an all-in-one design is that they tend to offer less performance than can be had on traditional computers and they tend to cost more than similar standard computers.

Today Averatec announced its first all-in-one computer and it is simply called the Averatec All-In-One. The computer has a 22-inch display and inside the display case is crammed 2GB of RAM, a 320GB HDD, built-in HDTV tuner and more. The computer is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 CPU and uses a discrete NVIDIA GeForce 8400 for graphics.

If you figure PCs should look like a bizarre abstract UFO, or maybe resemble a Sit and Spin type toy with a CD tray sticking out, you are not alone. Designer Won-Seok Lee apparently agrees.

The B-membrane computer concept does away with monitors entirely, instead opting for a built-in projector that will beam the display onto any surface. The membrane keyboard shows up whenever it’s needed as well as a built-in optical drive. It will probably be some time before we see something like this become a reality. It’s just not that easy to make a PC of the future look like the inside of a washing machine.

Some German scientists with a love of bad horror movies and some time on their hands, have come up with the nerdiest brain-computer interface yet. It’s from the Technical University of Braunschweig.

No placing electrodes on your head with this one. This one is all about wearing a large metal helmet full of sensors, that can detect your brain activity through your hair. They claim that the system is good enough to control an RC car and they’re hoping to use it in wheelchairs and prosthetics. Check out a video below.

iHome, announced the iH69 and iH70 speaker systems for Mac and the PC. Now, you can dock, charge, play and sync your iPod directly to the computer via the actual speakers, which is nice for convenience and because it eliminates some wires extra wires. The all in one speaker solution will also save you space.

The speakers are compatible with all docking iPod models, and are designed with high-fidelity Reson8™ speaker chambers for premium power output, sports a computer port, sync switch, volume controls and a headphone jack for private listening. Both models are currently available for pre-order on iHomeaudio.com and will be available soon nationwide for $99.99 and $129.99.

Are you as weirded out as I am? I’m not sure if it’s the strange tomato color or the fact that two nunchuks appear to be mating. They were seen recently at a trade show in Taipei. We think they must be connected through a wireless usb transmitter and it would make sense if they were compatible with the company’s new desktop.

It would not only be good for most types of games, but could obviously be used as a wireless mouse as well. I’m guessing there must be a few extra buttons we aren’t seeing judging by the 10 and 11 buttons. Word on the street is that the price will be $70 whenever it comes out into the open. Check out a video below to see these in action.

We have all kinds of other smart devices so why not a smart chair? Most computer chairs are anything but friendly. Maybe that’s because they lack brains. This concept Smartchair Biofeedback Computer Chair is not just futuristic looking, it also features lots of embedded sensors, an adjustable seating pad for your backside, plus a backpad and headrest that adjusts to your movement.

By adjusting to you, you get the maximum comfort possible. Normally it’s just the opposite, you having to conform to the chair. This new approach means less backaches and better health in general. It doesn’t end there as the chair also has a touchscreen unit that lets you make adjustments yourself. You know, if you’re a control freak or just don’t trust technology. Kinda looks like a chair Captain Kirk would be right at home in.

The Enlighten PC from Suissa Computers has a bit of an odd design. It looks more like a great bit of art deco furniture or a retro speaker. We first told you about it here. It’s a custom wood, metal and glass case that has separated components that helps to boost cooling. It’s not just a crap computer inside either. You get a choice of Intel Quad core CPU or AMD X2 6400+ processors, with 4GB of RAM and 1TB of storage standard. You get a DVD burner and a choice of NVIDIA 8800GTX or ATI Radeon HD2900XT video cards.

Interestingly, the system is designed so that you don’t need many fans. It’s all about the engineering and where they placed the components, with the aluminum and air venting keeping it all cool. It’s a limited edition of only ten machines, so if you want one you better hurry up. No word on pricing. All I know is it looks damn cool and damn retro. That makes me want it.

The XYZ Computer Desk has an awesome sleek design and gives the Sync some competition. It’s beautiful and at the same time easily upgradeable. The best part of course, is that you have the full computer right there, but it’s taking up no extra room.

All of the components and cables are inside the desk. Whenever you need to upgrade, just open the lid. The CDRW/DVD, USB and Hot Keys are on the side. It’s just a concept at the moment, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it go into production. It certainly makes life easier and saves space. Plus, it’s just plain pleasant to look at.

Cubans have been able to get underground and illegal PCs for a while, but the Cuban government only recently lifted the official ban on them. The first publicly-available machines just went on sale Friday. The QTECH PCs are state-approved are only available at a single store. The crowds had a chance to gawk at some not too cutting edge tech. The towers cost $780 and feature Celeron processors, 512MB of RAM, Windows XP, and come with a CRT display.

And even should they buy one, most Cubans won’t be allowed to have Internet access. Silly Cubans, the net is only for certain “trusted officials” and state journalists. The good news is that with computers now legally available, some expect black market prices on more up-to-date gear down the road.

Here’s another entry from Microsoft’s Next-Gen PC Design Competition. The AlphaGrip Handheld Computer (or AlphaGrip HC, for short), features full-size rocker keys on the front with a flip-up display and a keypad for thumb-typing. It also has a trackball for mousing and some buttons for “sophisticated PC games”.

Thing is, you may have noticed two things, both unappealing: It’s bulky and the top is shaped somewhat like a heart. I can’t imagine ever using this in public, but despite that fact, I like it. It took some imagination and looks a lot like the Atari Jaguar.

This strange bamboo-encased eco-PC concept was unveiled at Fortune’s Brainstorm Green conference today. They’re saying it’s Dell’s smallest-ever computer. For comparison, it’s 81 percent smaller than a standard desktop and more importantly it uses 70 percent less power.

No info yet on what’s inside or an official name for that matter, but according to Dell the machine is scheduled to be released later this year, with a price between $500 and $700. I suppose if anyone can make people buy bamboo computers, it’s dell. Maybe they can bring the Dell dude back and instead of saying, “Dude I’m getting a Dell”, maybe he can say, “Dude, I’m getting wood”.

Desk top space is a precious thing. We save it wherever we can, but it just seems to get reclaimed by something else. This should help. The ZPC-GX31 will save you desktop space by putting an Intel Core Duo PC with a CDRW/DVD drive and a card reader inside a “normal size keyboard”.

Some features are Dual Display capabilities, 4MB of DDR2/667MHz RAM, 1Gb LAN and DVI interface. They claim that this is a complete personal computer that takes up no more space than a typical keyboard. Just put it on your desktop, plug in a monitor and you are done. You can customize the ZPC-GX31 All-in-One PC to fit whatever your needs may be, which makes the price range anywhere from $629 to $1099. While it does admittedly look like an old Commodore 64 I still have to ask myself, is this the future as far as home PC’s are concerned?

This blue Gameboy type device comes from Innovations for Learning and is designed for schools. It’s got the typical directional buttons, a few other buttons, a 2.5-inch LCD, USB sync, SD card storage, AC/USB charging, and a 3.5-hour battery life.

Supposedly it has “complete reading and math curriculum that is aligned with all of the major reading and math programs,” inside of the device. The idea is to help substitute the learning that Kindergarten through second grade students already get. The company is non-profit, so they only charge for the cost of manufacturing the device, which is $50. However, the reading and math programs will cost $20 per student. They will start rolling them out at 500 Chicago elementary schools.

Socket Communications has introduced something interesting in the new SoMo 650 handheld computer that uses anti-bacterial plastic in its construction. The handheld has a fast 624 MHz processor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a large bright QVGA display, and plenty of SDRAM and Flash memory. The antibacterial SoMo 650 handheld computer and docking cradle will be available in fall 2008.

That little cuddly, bean-bag like Chumby computer device we had talked about last year is finally available for sale to everyone. We thought it would hit sometime last fall but it looks like it took a little longer.

The Chumby comes in 3 colors of latte, black or pearl with a retail price of $179.95. The small device comes with a customizable Linux OS and WiFi bringing it updates on a frequent basis according to the company. Among the many built-in features it can bring in news and weather information, work as an alarm clock, play music, view photos and email along with whatever else you’d like to make it do yourself.