Regardless of how serious we are about overclocking and pushing performance limits on HWBOT, we should always make space for something a little more light-hearted. Today’s dose of casual frivolity involves a thread on the HWBOT forum chat started by Elkim who shared a picture of what appears to be a Japanese vending machine that actually sells Intel i5 and i7 CPUs.

The term Gachapon (or gashapon depending on the translation) refers to a specific type of vending machine found in Japan and other parts of Asia. The name originates from both the sound made by the crank you have to turn (“Gasha”) and the sound made as the capsule containing your prize drops down in the receptacle (“pon”). These kinds of vending machines are designed to vend small toys for children, usually involving Japanese cartoon characters.

The CPU vending machine in the image is apparently filled with Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors and requires that you feed it around 500 yen (or about 150 dollar). It’s a nice idea that marries a child’s view of purchasing cheap toys on the street with that burgeoning desire for ever more convenience in Asia and Japan in general. Somehow, I have a feeling that it’s just a publicity gag. If only it were not so…

Source (Japanese).