Olivetti Envision

{{Short description|Italian multimedia device}}

{{Infobox computer

| Photo = Image:Envp75.jpg

| Name = Olivetti Envision (400/P75)

| manufacturer = Olivetti

| Type = Multimedia personal computer

| Released = {{Start date and age|1995}}

| Discontinued = {{Start date and age|1996}}

| CPU = Intel 486 DX4 100 MHz or Intel Pentium P75 processor

| Memory = 8 MB

| OS = Windows 95

| predecessor =

| successor =

| storage = Floppy disk; Hard drive; CD-ROM

| memory card = 1.4 MB 3.5" floppy disk; CD-ROM

| connectivity = Parallel, Serial, Modem

| input = Keyboard, remote

| display = VGA monitor, TV; 1024x768, 800x600

| graphics = Trident TGV9470

| sound = Crystal Semiconductor Corporation CS4231 + Oak Mozart OTI 605

}}

The Olivetti Envision (400/P75) was an Italian multimedia personal computer produced in 1995.{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=Olivetti Envision - Obscure Italian Multimedia device |url=http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/golden/olivetti_envision.htm |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Ultimate Console Database}}{{Cite web |last=Wim |first=Wubs |date=2010 |title=Olivetti Envision P75 |url=https://members.ziggo.nl/wimwubs/Olivetti-Envision-P75/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Klassieke computers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322013225/https://members.ziggo.nl/wimwubs/Olivetti-Envision-P75/ |archive-date=2020-03-22 |language=Dutch}} 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.{{cite news |last=Grimwood |first=Jon Courtenay |date=23 October 1995 |title=On the sofa with your favourite program |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/on-the-sofa-with-your-favourite-program-1579008.html |accessdate=2010-12-24}} Preinstalled software allowed the computer to work as a fax or answering machine when connected to a telephone line.{{Cite news |last=Nicola |first=Saldutti |date=September 8, 1995 |title=Olivetti rilancia sui computer |language=Italian |pages=23 |work=Corriere della Sera |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/settembre/08/Olivetti_rilancia_sui_computer_co_0_95090810333.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902150711/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/settembre/08/Olivetti_rilancia_sui_computer_co_0_95090810333.shtml |archive-date=2012-09-02 }}

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 M. De Lucchi,{{Cite web |title=OLIVETTI ENVISION, 1995 |url=http://www.museotecnologicamente.it/olivetti-envision-1995/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Laboratorio-Museo Tecnologicamente |language=Italian}} the declared goal for this device was to convince non-computer-savvy people that computers are not impossibly hard to use and can 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.{{Cite news |last=Ciardelli |first=Paolo |date=December 1995 |title=Olivetti Envision |pages=204 |work=MC Microcomputer |issue=157 |url=https://archive.org/details/MC_microcomputer-157}}

The Olivetti Envision was discontinued in 1996 due to poor sales caused by its excessive price, many software bugs and limited expandability.{{cite web |last=Pedrazzini |first=Fabrizio |date=2001 |title=OLIVETTI ENVISION |url=http://faberp.tripod.com/Envision.htm |accessdate=2011-03-16 |website=The Strange (and Rare) Videogame Pics Page |publisher=}}