Motherboard manufacturers have shown designs based on the FlexATX form factor, while a series of outlandish Concept PCs are also gracing the Intel Developer Forum in Palm Springs. Both Gigabyte and MicroStar FlexATX boards are being displayed, but the models only support the Celeron processor so far. Intel would not say when the socketed version of the Pentium III would hit the decks. A number of vendors were also showing a series of outlandishly designed PCs, none of which looked anything like the iMac, for obvious legal reasons. According to Intel, between six and seven companies will release the freakish PCs in September, with others following suit. These are likely to be just as mad, or even madder, than the ones we've seen. For reasons of bandwidth, we only picture one Concept PC here. One looked like an old steam radio but with a strange knob sticking out of it, while another, bright fluorescent jobbie was sat next to it. That prompted one British hack to quip: "It's man and wife. When they get together they produce baby Palm Pilots." Another Concept PC stood in the kitchen of the future, where an Intel engineer talked to it in earnest terms, saying "Computer, tell me what the weather is like on Friday." This is something of a meaningless concept in Palm Springs, where the temperature managed to hit around 120 degrees Fahrenheit today. But our favourite was the Barbie Doll PC, intended for little girls, according to an Intel standperson. No Ken, then? ® RegisterFact Barbie and Ken are not man and wife and do not make Palm Pilots... Full IDF Summer 99 coverage