Bill Gates Unveils Next Wave of Windows PCs at WinHEC 2003

New HP PC Prototype Is Among Innovative Products Demonstrating Benefits Of Deeper Hardware and Software Synergy

Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect at Microsoft Corp., today unveiled a new PC prototype designed to enhance today's computing experience and usher in the next wave of innovation for the PC industry during his opening keynote at the 12th annual Windows® Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC). Gates showed the new PC prototype as just one example of the type of innovation required to address the needs of users -- innovation that is only possible when hardware and software are developed together.

Co-developed with HP and code-named "Athens," the advanced PC prototype represents an evolution of the PC as a center for communication and collaboration, one that simultaneously simplifies PC operations while merging all forms of communication -- including next-generation voice, video and text messaging -- into a consistent, streamlined design.

"The hardware industry and Microsoft are leading the next wave of PC development by creating unprecedented levels of synergy between hardware and software," Gates said. "The result will be innovative products that improve the way our customers work, communicate, learn and are entertained. The 'Athens' PC prototype is just one example of the amazing things that are possible when hardware and software companies collaborate deeply on new designs."

Screenshot: View 'Athens' PC photos