Olivetti Envision

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The Olivetti Envision (400/P75) was an Italian multimedia personal computer produced in 1995. It came with a choice of two processors: Intel 486 DX4 100 MHz or Intel Pentium P75. It had an infrared keyboard and internal modem, and it was compatible with audio CDs, CD-ROMs, Photo CDs and Video CDs. Preinstalled software allowed the computer to work as a fax or answering machine when connected to a telephone line. The Envision had three possible operating modes: Simple (limited to the use of an infrared remote control to control the volume and the reproduction of photo, video or audio CDs); Intermediate (a simplified Windows shell replacement called Olipilot that gave access to a limited set of programs); Advanced (standard Windows 95 graphical user interface). Designed by Michele De Lucchi, the declared goal for this device was to convince non-computer-savvy people that computers were not impossibly hard to use and could be bought and used like normal home appliances. For this reason, it was intentionally designed to resemble a videocassette recorder more than a computer, and it was equipped with two SCART sockets (to connect it to a TV set), a TV-like remote control, and a slot that could host a satellite TV decoder card. The Olivetti Envision was discontinued in 1996 due to poor sales caused by its excessive price, many software bugs and limited expandability.