Not that long ago, Microsoft started giving its partners subtle hints, in the form of the Hardware Design Guidelines. While without a doubt everyone received the Guidelines with open hands, it's hard to say that anyone really paid them much attention.


Now, Intel has announced the "Intel Core Processor Challenge," which offers a $US1 million reward for the PC designers who break the mold of the 'big black and silver box' that passes as design in the PC box manufacturer world in order to replace it with something a bit more stylish, that can look good in any room of the house.

Intel will award the Grand prize winner with up to US $300,000 for hard tooling costs of their winning design and US $400,000 for co-marketing activities with Intel promoting the design. The first place winner will receive up to $300,000 for hard tooling of their winning design.

While undoubtedly a nice move, one does have to stop and wonder of the motivation. Both Intel and Microsoft are subtly throwing out hints at the market, trying to get the design paradigm shifting. What happened to the once proud beige monolith block? It got redecorated into a much more suitable black and silver, but looks like that are not enough. The question now is, how much of an Apple- like design can people make without it being a too obvious Apple rip-off?