6 ms·

Ask HN: What would your elevator pitch be for a computer?

6 points by meesterdude 11y ago

Projects need a good elevator pitch, and projects that are hard to describe are harder to sell. But what would be the pitch for a computer; something that is enormously powerful and enables so much?

ucaetano 11y ago
You need to focus on the single core use case, which for computers is data processing. There's no time in an elevator pitch to go over features: Companies spend too much time and money to process data into valuable insights. They could do it much faster and cheaper by using a computer: an electrical machine capable of analysing massive amounts of data in very little time. Need to find out sales trends by city? Just input the data and the machine does the rest, with no human errors, every single time. Instead of several hundred human computers, all you need is a couple people entering data and someone to program it. Fast, reliable, easy.
lsiunsuex 11y ago
The problem with an elevator pitch for computers is that their not single purpose. A pitch for a new website that does x, y, y; a new razor, a new microwave - you have clear, defined purposes. So, IMO, assuming we know at least what the person we're talking to does: <pitch> Computers by themselves (out of the box, so to speak) are a tool that allow you to explore everything you can imagine. By installing software (an additional expense) your computer can help you organize music; write letters and organize photos. With an internet connection (also an additional expense) your computer can gain access to a vast network of information and entertainment. You can watch movies and tv shows; read books online; learn how to cook and read the news on a variety of topics. If your up for a challenge, you can build your own places of interest, known as websites and sometimes earn money doing so. Computers come in a range of sizes and budgets - from desktop computers that stay in your office, to portable ones you can put into a small bag. Some very capable computers can also fit in your pocket, though - we call these smart phones, not computer. Our prices range from $100 for something very basic to thousands that'll allow you to edit your next movie. </pitch> Which sort of begs the question - in this day; what is a computer without an internet connection? Myself, I have little to no use for a computer without an internet connection.
zhte415 11y ago
I have an elevator pitch on my desk. It has a 180 degree reclinable screen, basically designed to be a thickesh tablet. I do the opposite, and put the screen desk-side down, to use the keyboard (have become accustomed to it, not great, but very good). So the screen lies face-down, and the keyboard is face-up, attached to a monitor. Not a particularly fancy monitor, but it is nice having things at eye level when at a desk and having sizes blown up big, basically, easy on the neck. Perhaps the environment, I don't know, but the amount of curiosity this provides to others to my little alcove is impressive. Anyone that notices mentions. From curiosity, not realising it's a laptop, to 'I have a ThinkPad too and I wish it could do that'. So, elevator pitch, have something so vivid it can be picked up, touched, played with. Not words, a thing that doesn't need to be particularly innovative as-in changing the world, just, that's a neat idea, I'd like that too. Then it gets easier to sell. None of my colleagues want to get T-series ThinkPads in the next acquisition round because of a simple screen on another range that can be reclined more than normal.
brudgers 11y ago
It can store recipes.
- kleer001 11y ago
  Excellent historical accuracy. Also let Billy do his homework, schedule alarms for Fido's walks, and little Sally can keep track of her Barbie clothes. Best of all it's only the size of a washing machine.
  - brudgers 11y ago
    It was effective because it was easy for people to imagine someone typing recipes into a computer by projecting an imagined present into the future. I say "imagined" because fewer people were actively typing recipes at the time than burning their bras and if there was going to be an interest in automating the task, then people would already have been typing recipes. The thing about an elevator pitch is even though it's wrong there's no way that a future of blockchains and advertising technology and cat videos on Facebook can be compelling. Yet, I've thought about it a bit more. Somewhat sadly, The best pitch elevator pitch to those with lawyers, guns and money is to automate some mundane task. And what worked was: it can accurately calculate the ballistic trajectory of high explosives and thus thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy. And so it goes. The weirdest part of today's exercise is that mobile phone app stores seem to have brought back an age when ideas equivalent to typing recipes into a computer seem attractive. There's a lot of make work that adds intermediating complexity...we get an obligation to manage my personal brand on social media and keep our contacts and resumes up to date and like our friends' photos of Esther the Wonderpig.
JSeymourATL 11y ago
On December 31st- the limited commercial license for this technology became available. Until now only the US Military and its allies have had restricted access to this technology. It combines three most powerful elements in machines today...artificial intelligence, robotics, and networked sensors. It is a global game changer! Think of the world pre-smart-phones 10X... You can verify these and other technical aspects later. But right now, what we need to focus on is this: Are we good fit? Should we be doing business together?
tixocloud 11y ago
It will depend on the audience. Good elevator pitches focus on the audience needs.
staunch 11y ago
You're a dentist? Imagine if all your scheduling, accounting, record keeping, and even ordering supplies was all done automatically by a machine that costs less than paying an employee for one month. (I would sell it based on applications, not the computer itself.)
Gustomaximus 11y ago
Are you asking us to do your assignment?

6 points by meesterdude 11y ago

Projects need a good elevator pitch, and projects that are hard to describe are harder to sell. But what would be the pitch for a computer; something that is enormously powerful and enables so much?

ucaetano 11y ago

You need to focus on the single core use case, which for computers is data processing. There's no time in an elevator pitch to go over features: Companies spend too much time and money to process data into valuable insights. They could do it much faster and cheaper by using a computer: an electrical machine capable of analysing massive amounts of data in very little time. Need to find out sales trends by city? Just input the data and the machine does the rest, with no human errors, every single time. Instead of several hundred human computers, all you need is a couple people entering data and someone to program it. Fast, reliable, easy.

lsiunsuex 11y ago

The problem with an elevator pitch for computers is that their not single purpose. A pitch for a new website that does x, y, y; a new razor, a new microwave - you have clear, defined purposes. So, IMO, assuming we know at least what the person we're talking to does: <pitch> Computers by themselves (out of the box, so to speak) are a tool that allow you to explore everything you can imagine. By installing software (an additional expense) your computer can help you organize music; write letters and organize photos. With an internet connection (also an additional expense) your computer can gain access to a vast network of information and entertainment. You can watch movies and tv shows; read books online; learn how to cook and read the news on a variety of topics. If your up for a challenge, you can build your own places of interest, known as websites and sometimes earn money doing so. Computers come in a range of sizes and budgets - from desktop computers that stay in your office, to portable ones you can put into a small bag. Some very capable computers can also fit in your pocket, though - we call these smart phones, not computer. Our prices range from $100 for something very basic to thousands that'll allow you to edit your next movie. </pitch> Which sort of begs the question - in this day; what is a computer without an internet connection? Myself, I have little to no use for a computer without an internet connection.

zhte415 11y ago

I have an elevator pitch on my desk. It has a 180 degree reclinable screen, basically designed to be a thickesh tablet. I do the opposite, and put the screen desk-side down, to use the keyboard (have become accustomed to it, not great, but very good). So the screen lies face-down, and the keyboard is face-up, attached to a monitor. Not a particularly fancy monitor, but it is nice having things at eye level when at a desk and having sizes blown up big, basically, easy on the neck. Perhaps the environment, I don't know, but the amount of curiosity this provides to others to my little alcove is impressive. Anyone that notices mentions. From curiosity, not realising it's a laptop, to 'I have a ThinkPad too and I wish it could do that'. So, elevator pitch, have something so vivid it can be picked up, touched, played with. Not words, a thing that doesn't need to be particularly innovative as-in changing the world, just, that's a neat idea, I'd like that too. Then it gets easier to sell. None of my colleagues want to get T-series ThinkPads in the next acquisition round because of a simple screen on another range that can be reclined more than normal.

brudgers 11y ago

It can store recipes.

kleer001 11y ago
Excellent historical accuracy. Also let Billy do his homework, schedule alarms for Fido's walks, and little Sally can keep track of her Barbie clothes. Best of all it's only the size of a washing machine.
- brudgers 11y ago
  It was effective because it was easy for people to imagine someone typing recipes into a computer by projecting an imagined present into the future. I say "imagined" because fewer people were actively typing recipes at the time than burning their bras and if there was going to be an interest in automating the task, then people would already have been typing recipes. The thing about an elevator pitch is even though it's wrong there's no way that a future of blockchains and advertising technology and cat videos on Facebook can be compelling. Yet, I've thought about it a bit more. Somewhat sadly, The best pitch elevator pitch to those with lawyers, guns and money is to automate some mundane task. And what worked was: it can accurately calculate the ballistic trajectory of high explosives and thus thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy. And so it goes. The weirdest part of today's exercise is that mobile phone app stores seem to have brought back an age when ideas equivalent to typing recipes into a computer seem attractive. There's a lot of make work that adds intermediating complexity...we get an obligation to manage my personal brand on social media and keep our contacts and resumes up to date and like our friends' photos of Esther the Wonderpig.

JSeymourATL 11y ago

On December 31st- the limited commercial license for this technology became available. Until now only the US Military and its allies have had restricted access to this technology. It combines three most powerful elements in machines today...artificial intelligence, robotics, and networked sensors. It is a global game changer! Think of the world pre-smart-phones 10X... You can verify these and other technical aspects later. But right now, what we need to focus on is this: Are we good fit? Should we be doing business together?

tixocloud 11y ago

It will depend on the audience. Good elevator pitches focus on the audience needs.

staunch 11y ago

You're a dentist? Imagine if all your scheduling, accounting, record keeping, and even ordering supplies was all done automatically by a machine that costs less than paying an employee for one month. (I would sell it based on applications, not the computer itself.)

Gustomaximus 11y ago

Are you asking us to do your assignment?