Disney Moves into PC Business
The Walt Disney Company has unveiled the Disney Dream Desk PC, a new personal computer geared to tap into the growing children market.
"We've traveled a long way since that first Mickey writing tablet hit the market in 1929" said Bob Iger, Disney president/coo. "At the core of Disney is our mission to entertain and enlighten audiences through products that spark the imagination. With the launch of the Disney Dream Desk, a computer designed with kids in mind, we've developed a tool box for children to unleash their imaginations and expand their minds."
Designed by Disney and built by Medion AG, the Disney Dream Desk PC features a 14.1" Mickey-shaped TFT LCD flat panel monitor with embedded speakers, a DVD player, a CD writer and player, and an ergonomically designed, kid-sized mouse. The PC is also equipped with a multimedia keyboard and a digital pen. It features a variety of Disney applications including Disney Flix, Disney Pix and Disney Mix, which allow children to draw, edit pictures, create music and write and direct their own movies. Exclusive to the Disney Dream Desk PC, Disney's Flix, Pix and Mix applications are designed to work together as a creative suite. Some other applications include original Disney games: DISNEY MAHJONGG, DISNEY'S EXTREMELY GOOFY SKATEBOARDING, DISNEY'S ADVENTURES IN TYPING WITH TIMON & PUMBAA and a 14-day free membership to TOONTOWN Online.
The computer comes installed with the Intel Celeron D Processor 330, the Microsoft XP Home Edition operating system and Microsoft Works productivity software. It also contains ContentProtect Internet filtering, EmailProtect e-mail filtering and spam blocking and PopupProtect created by ContentWatch. Three-dimensional graphics acceleration and platform technology on the PC are provided by ATI Technologies Inc.
CompUSA Superstores, the exclusive retail outlet for the Disney Dream Desk PC, is accepting pre-orders beginning August 5. Pre-orders made by August 14 at www.compusa.com/ or at CompUSA's 5th Avenue Superstore in Manhattan will receive a free Disney Digital Camera. CompUSA is offering Disney Dream Desk PC buyers free delivery, in-home installation and a one-on-one training session. The Dream Desk PC will also be available through the Disney Catalog and DisneyStore.com on August 12 and in CompUSA Superstores on September 12. The computer will retail for $599 with the monitor display sold separately at $299.
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the division of The Walt Disney Co. that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home décor and books to interactive games, food and beverages, electronics and fine art. For more information, visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com/.