With today's new product line, Compaq will add a new EZ model, the 2600. Others have followed suit in a trend Apple started with its fruit-colored iMac. IBM chose dark gray for its new NetVista line, and HP yesterday unveiled color panels for changing the look of Pavilion consumer PCs. But Compaq may be climbing on a dying trend that could do little to boost sales, Baker said. If you're talking about bright colors, there has not been a stampede of customers out into oranges and tangerines.
People still prefer the muted blues and blacks and sleek grays.
Everybody is doing it, and customers expect it. Colors aside, Compaq is packaging lots of extras with the new Presarios, Larson said. We're appealing to a breadth of people, whether it's kids who want to rip CDs or grandparents who want to send video emails or people that want to do digital video. The Presarios also come with a new easy-open supporting frame, similar to that on the Apple's PowerMac G3 and G4 systems and the EZ2000. Inc. All rights reserved.