14-inch Transparent OLED Laptop Needs Clothes

In addition to MSI's mystery dual-screen e-book/netbook device, another cool prototype on display at CES 2010 today is Samsung Mobile Display's 14-inch notebook. The company deems the notebook's display the world's first and largest transparent OLED prototype, and is supposedly 40-percent transparent when the device is turned off (the industry average right now seems to be 25-percent).

When turned on however, the laptop's display looks like something yanked straight out of a science-fiction movie. The prototype displays a working, viewable desktop. Items placed behind the display--whether its a book, a piece of paper, or a hand--can be seen through the display. On a personal level, that would get annoying real quick, but the overall idea is still really cool.

As for the laptop's base, there's absolutely nothing transparent going on. What would make this prototype laptop look even better is the implementation of a clear shell to match the OLED display, providing a glimpse into the notebook's internal organs. Again, that may be an annoying distraction for some consumers but we think it would look kind of neat.

Liliputing adds that Samsung could use the OLED technology for MP3 players, "heads up" displays for vehicles, banners and displays, and other electronics. Currently there's no word on when Samsung plans to finalize the product and release for manufacturing. Stay tuned for more info in the following months. In the meantime, check out a CES 2010 video via Engadget right here.

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