Keyboard-free PCs and telepathic laptops? Intel, Asus open to ideas

Intel and Asus have launched WePC.com, a website that solicits ideas from consumers with the goal of producing what they call "the world's first community-designed PCs".

The site divides its focus into three "conversation groups", in which consumers work together to design netbooks, laptops and gaming laptops.

Intel said in a statement: "Visitors to the site can share ideas, vote on submitted concepts and engage in discussions with other community members about the qualities of the 'dream' PC."

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Mike Hoefflinger, general manager of Intel's Partner Marketing Group, said in a statement: "Intel believes the spark for innovation can come from anywhere."

Many of the contributors' suggestions are fairly mainstream desires for most PC users: more powerful batteries, less shiny screens, and lighter overall weight. Some have specific desires for processors, while others have asked for high-definition screens and 3G connectivity.

However, there have been some creative suggestions that some visitors might not have considered. One suggestion asked for a durable notebook that was waterproof with a "night-time look to glow in the dark".

One reader suggested doing away with the laptop's buttons and screen for a virtual reality experience. "I know that the technology for plugging your nervous system directly into your brain is very far off but we've got some fairly cheap technology that could be applied to a computer that would be fairly awesome." Another reader suggested telepathic communication that would rely on the sensing of brainwaves.

But some ideas were less sensible.

"I like the idea of a laptop that has hair on it. You can than cut said laptop's hair to your liking. The hair of course grows so you can have multiple haircuts a year," wrote one visitor.

Original article: Intel, Asus partner on 'dream PC' design site from CNET News.com