08/30/07 Taglines may change. Our Vision doesn't.
Our vision has always been to create a human connection to the computer - to psychologically bring the computer out from the workspace and into the living space. The home computer has been around for a long time now, and yet it hasn't been adopted into the family environment. It has stayed cold, sterile, and despite what it holds -our memories and encounters - has no touch of human warmth. And yet how we use the computer has become integral to our daily routines.
When we first launched, our tagline "Wood is Good" was meant to communicate that connection to a natural material that humankind has used and evolved with since the beginning. We realized though that it was drawing attention to the material, and not enough to our overall vision.
So we changed the tagline to "Luxury Systems for Work, Gaming and Entertainment." This was meant to convey who we are as a computer manufacturer. But it seemed too ordinary. And while it clearly outlines what we do as a manufacturer, it does not provide any differentiation. Anyone can say their systems are luxury systems, if they are high performance. But we have a true vision that isn't communicated here. Our computers ARE luxury systems, but our vision goes beyond that.
"An emotional connection to digital living." It took us a year to find how to best express a vision which itself has never changed. We believe we have it. Suissa Computers designs, builds and provides an emotional connection to digital living. Our computers bridge that gap between this sterile technology and the very human experiences and memories which it holds.
- Jennifer
08/24/07 Howard is subtitled
Thank you to Arlene T. for giving us the opportunity to reach the Chinese Canadian population. On Wednesday, just after 10 p.m., Fairchild TV aired a 7 minute segment on Suissa Computers. I wonder how long it took for Howard's subtitling. He did a lot of talking.
- Jennifer
08/23/07 No more crouching and squinting.
This week we released a new product - a 750GB external hard drive. While it is really pretty, we think its most unique feature is the four USB 2.0 ports right smack on the front, along with a couple of audio jacks.
We figure, if you are going to have an external hard drive on the desk, make it BELONG on the desk. Not just through design, but function.
The next time you are crouching under your desk and reaching behind your computer, hoping to hit a free USB port, think of Suissa Computers Shadow. 750GB of hard drive space, AND all those nice USB ports, right where you want them.
Howard designed Shadow with a few things in mind. With all the memory sticks, music, video and camera devices out there, people are needing more hard drive space to store all their personal memories. And they need more USB ports.
Also, the technology savvy are getting older. I personally find it annoying to fiddle around and try to find a small plug on the back of a computer. Just imagine if your eyesight is getting worse and you're not as mobile as you used to be. So, Gizmodo can joke about our hard drives coming with a free old woman, and our dear friends at Treehugger about hatboxes, but maybe they are subconsciously projecting their own feelings about aging... hmmm.
-Jennifer
Revolution! Intel! Create My Own System!
Among the updates to our web site...
Today in our Collection, we unveiled Revolution. If you go to the Images gallery, you can see that no matter where you look at it, it has a different face. After all, why should a computer have less than three dimensions?
Due to popular demand, we are now offering a Create My Own System option. Just for those of you who love the cases but had your own ideas about components.
Yes, along with the AMD offerings, we've now got Intel processors including Quad Core. We also offer the brand new BFG GeForce 8800 GTX video card, the Corsair Dominator memory and much more hardware.
Happy New Year everyone,
Jennifer
Suissa Computers featured in two lifestyle magazines
You may have already seen them posted in our news section. We were recently featured in Good Life Connoisseur, "the luxury living magazine about living the good life," and Tiempo de Relojes, a Mexican magazine focussing on luxury watches.
So there we are, alongside the Rolex ads, fabulous travel places and other ways to pamper oneself. We are certainly pleased to be on Dave Chalk's wish list. Perhaps a family member will commission a system for him... we are standing by!
And, I like the introductory text in Tiempo de Relojes... technology for "la fusion cultural."
- Jennifer
Suissa Computers in Design Engineering
We are very pleased to see a full article on Suissa Computers, on the back page "Eddie's Page" in the November / December 2006 issue of Design Engineering.
Design Engineering is read by Canada's OEM and In-Plant design leaders, and its mission is "to serve as an effective forum for the exchange of information, keeping designers in touch with emerging trends and technologies, the materials and components necessary to their designs, and changes to the design function itself."
We are honoured to be in this calibre of trade publication.
- Jennifer
Linux
For all the Linux fans out there, we are working on a Linux prototype. Once we are certain it meets our standards, we will offer Linux systems.
Suissa Computers in Ranch & Coast magazine
We are really pleased to have made it into the November issue of Ranch & Coast, San Diego's Luxury Lifestyle magazine. We could not believe we would read about ourselves on the same page as a feature on the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but there we are.
The lead reads "Ever wondered what your computer could double as -- how about functional art and furniture?" You can view the full story here.
- Jennifer
How do we stack up?
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Our Web site
Watch for a revamp to our Suissa Computers web site. You will also be able to commission your system from the site.
About the designer
Howard Suissa is an industrial designer, woodworker and system builder. He spent a year in the design department of Japan's top transportation lighting, fare collection, sign and display company, giving him insight into lighting and detailing on technology, as well as design practices and philosophies different from western culture.
The design team was part of the Engineering department, and Howard worked closely with both mechanical and electrical engineers.
Howard has a diploma in industrial design and a post-grad in applied information technology.
About Computer Case Design
Computer case design has stagnated, with very little thought to its place in our living space. Someone who has a well defined style deserves a computer system that fits into the interior design, something a little more human.
Suissa Computers launched at IIDEX / NeoCon, Canada's largest design event, September 28-29, 2006 in Toronto. Our exhibit reflected our philosophy that the personal computer deserves a place of honour in our living space.
FAQs
Howard and I have had a great response from those of you who have visited Suissa Computers. Here are some frequently asked questions, with our answers.
Q: Can I purchase a case only?
Our component packages have been carefully selected for best performance and value. They are comparable to systems offered by other high-end computer manufacturers.
However, Suissa Computers will work with our customers on customized technical specifications for our limited edition systems. Suissa Computers will special order and install all components, and have a field agent approve the system for electrical safety standards.
We only offer complete systems to ensure that what we provide our customers passes electrical safety standards. Our custom bracketry and mounting as well as case assembly requires a significant understanding of industrial design, woodworking and computer assembly.
Q: Will Suissa Computers ship to my country? (Outside of Canada)
At this time we are considering each commission on an individual basis.
We are currently looking looking into how we can provide international customers the same level of service as we provide our Canadian customers. We have already determined that we can serve the U.S. market.
We install our systems personally in Canada and the U.S., and will follow up within the year for care and maintenance. We do not ship our computer systems by themselves, as we want to provide the highest level of customer service with our computer systems.
Q: Is it possible to buy a Suissa Computer system with a Linux Operating System? If not, can you provide a system with no OS?
At present we are not offering a Linux version, although it is something we are considering providing.
We personally install our computer systems in the client's home / office. We therefore cannot provide an incomplete system.
Q: How much do your cases only cost?
We offer only complete systems. However, here is an explanation on pricing.
Suissa Computers provides exclusive, limited edition, luxury computer systems. Our handmade cases, designed by an industrial designer, take a lot of time and craftsmanship to build. The case design, materials and build time are the main factor in our pricing.
As a new company, we have kept our charges for purchasing and installing the brand-name, high performance system components at a minimum.
Our overall system prices are competitive with other high-end computer companies.
We encourage you to compare our computer systems to packages offered by other high-end computer companies, for both performance and value.
Jennifer Moncion
Welcome to Suissa Computers' Blog
Suissa Computers is a Canadian computer manufacturing company that launched its products at IIDEX / NeoCon on September 29.
Since our launch, we have received interest from around the world. It started with a review on Treehugger.com, then others on Gizmodo, BoingBoing and Make and so on.
Since
we have been mentioned in so many of your blogs, we thought it was time
to start our own to update you on what we are doing.
Howard Suissa & Jennifer Moncion
