15 Future-Laptop Concepts: The Fascinating and the Far-Fetched

Designed for the sight-impaired, the Siafu is unlike any laptop we've encountered. Eschewing a conventional display, designer Jonathan Lucas's concept PC features a tactile interface that converts screen images to 3D shapes. It also offers voice recognition in lieu of a conventional keyboard.

This sleek and slim concept from designer Felix Schmidberger features two OLED touchscreens, one of which slides under the other for easy portability. The second display could serve as a soft keyboard or a digital writing pad. The Compenion comes with additional docking stations, including a home unit that allows the laptop to function as an entertainment center.

Long live the carriage return! Well, almost. The clever folks at CreativeDNAaustria have designed a nostalgic notebook that pays tribute to Olivetti's renowned "Valentine" portable typewriter. The flexible display and slide-out keyboard extend from a bright-red base; the overall effect is decidedly dated in a fun, "emotionally appealing" way, the designers say.

Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, Asus's three concept PCs are laptop contortionists. As this video illustrates, the folding, flexible design allows each notebook to double as an iPad-style tablet. It encourages collaborative computing, too--a boon for workgroups.

This curvaceous concept is more all-in-one desktop than laptop. Featuring two displays and a sleek crescent-moon motif, the Moonlight is dressed to impress. The smaller, lower screen could serve as a touchscreen, as an extension of the main display, or as a screen for a second operating system. Designer Teo Braun added a light-sensitive frame that illuminates in the dark to reduce eyestrain.

Not to be confused with the recently announced Asus G73 Stealth gaming laptop, this computer design splits into separate keyboard and display modules, depending on your work environment. Traveling? The Stealth unfolds (but stays attached) like a standard laptop; at home or in the office, you can separate the components for better ergonomics. Let's hope this cool concept ships someday.