Images: Futuristic PCs trump the beige box

Move over beige box...now there's something nicheier.

That was theme enthusiastically embraced by winners of the fourth Microsoft-sponsored Next-Gen PC Design Competition, which this year encouraged entrants to dream up futuristic designs that not only feature eye-catching aesthetics, but also cater to people's passions.

Industrial design student Avery Holleman won first place in the contest for this Napkin PC, "a multi-user, multi-interface, modular computer designed for creative professionals to collaborate and bring their greatest ideas to life." The interface consists of any number of "Napkins" and a "Pen." When powered by the Pen, the Napkin is a multi-touch input display that responds to human touch as well as the Pen, according to Holleman's description.

In addition to his first place award, Holleman's design also struck a chord with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, who handpicked The Napkin PC for the Chairman's Award. Holleman received $20,000 in prize money for both accolades.

We've featured the competition winners and several of the finalists. A complete listing of finalists and qualifying entrants can be found here.