IBM is finally jumping on the cool-translucent-plastics bandwagon with their new “i” series laptops, according to the News.Com article “IBM to get colorful with new notebooks.” Bondi blue came and went last year with Apple’s iMac and this year Nokia came out with their vibrantly colored mobile phones, but Big Blue’s reputation for being a source of stability may mean mainstream acceptance of cool.

So what’s the hype about? IBM will next week release new ThinkPads with snap-on covers that come in different colors. I think Apple covered this one with the PowerBook 1400.