Packard Bell are releasing a line of notebooks and netbooks signed by Valentino Rossi

The machines will feature a design created by Valentino's graphic designer, Aldo Drudi

Last month, Packard Bell announced the release of a series of notebooks and netbooks signed by Valentino Rossi and designed by Aldo Drudi. One would not expect to find artistic finesse in products created by the collaboration of a computer manufacturer, a nine-times world champion of Moto GP and a graphic designer who conjures colours with surprising effect. One would be correct in that assumption.

Pocket-lint.com has obtained a pair of photographs depicting one of the Valentino Rossi notebooks. It appears to have had its case infected by a bilious pattern from Aldo Drudi's mind. Perhaps such designs are characteristic of the motorbikes and clothes used in the racing industry – garments and chassis replete with garish and confusing embellishments, that leave any tasteful mind racing at high speed on a nauseating train of maundering.

Yet these designs are intended to invoke excitement in observers, or perhaps they are meant to inspire wonder at the daring speeds at which racers such as Valentino manage to attain on dangerously powerful motorbikes. Whilst Aldo Drudi's designs are reminiscent of the visual disarray caused by observing any object moving at high speed, they could not be more misplaced than slapped onto the back of a notebook or netbook. Neither of these machines should move very much, and if they were to, they would likely be inside the embrace of the synthetic fibres of our carry-cases.

Once again, I find it difficult to refrain from criticising the premise of placing a design on the rear of a notebook – and so I'll say it again: why bother placing a visual design on a surface that is rarely seen? Well, one could argue it is oft seen by others, who may be impressed enough to compliment us on our taste. However the only impression a person of sound mind should have is whether it is safe to sit near an individual who resembles a simian clutching a painting of a frozen fruit salad.

What states of mind begat these designs, and how could such thoughts be expressed? What words have the creators of this new line of notebooks and netbooks chosen as an epitaph for this clash of computing and graphic design? The Packard Bell press release reveals all:-

Packard Bell believes that in purchasing one of these machines, the customer is given an 'opportunity to experience the “Valentino dream”'. What is the Valentino dream? Well, it appears to be an incubus magnified by black, which is rendered particularly lugubrious by the use of orange.

Valentino Rossi says that his inspiration comes from his belief that 'technology was a substantial factor in all the results' he has achieved. Whilst one would not doubt Valentino's remarkable skill in riding motorcycles, his attempt to present such success as logically attributable to notebooks and netbooks is gravely ill-judged: by using the wonderfully generic term 'technology', his utterance is nothing more than a metaphor.

What of the third party in this strange enterprise? Aldo Drudi? What does he have to say? Perhaps believing in the adage that a picture speaks a thousand words, he has remained silent. His work speaks for itself, and when individuals like myself become the mouthpiece, readers are left with articles such as this one; which in fairness to those of you short of time, could be summarised thus: I don't like these designs – they are an unnecessary cost added to machines which are already very expensive.

Packard Bell has not revealed which of their notebooks and netbooks will be afflicted by this terrible décor, and consequently, the release dates and prices are a mystery too.