NVous launches custom-painted laptops

A former Alienware engineer has started NVous PC, a service that creates custom-painted laptops. After configuring the specifications of a system, buyers upload images to the website, which are then used as the basis for painting one or more panels with the advice of a designer. Alternately, people who already own a laptop can send theirs in to receive similar treatment. The paint finish is described as similar to that on a luxury car.

NVous currently has two base computers on offer: the Mercury is a 14.1-inch model, but can be upgraded to a 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo mobile processor with up to 2GB of RAM, as well as a DVD super drive and 160GB of disk space. 802.11a/b/g and Windows Vista come standard, with overall prices starting at $1,099. The Ether meanwhile is a 15.4-inch computer, but can only be equipped with a DVD combo drive instead of a super. Its prices start at $999.