Asus asks customers for laptop ideas

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 30 Oct 2008 at 09:00

Intel and Asus have launched a social networking site where users can design their perfect laptop, with a chance it will be put into production.

The WePC site offers visitors the chance to detail their ideal netbook, notebook or gaming machine, where it will be voted on by other users.

The best ideas could be put into production and become the first community-designed notebooks, and Intel and Asus will also be handing prizes to "select participants".

"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," says Intel in a statement.

Many of the current suggestions are rather pedestrian, and already mirror the ambition of almost all current notebook designers; faster performance, lighter weight and longer battery life, but there are some unusual designs among the many already submitted.

One suggestion is a mouse that generates power as the user uses it, to reduce energy consumption. Another includes three fold-out displays to give more desktop space for graphic designers, while a third includes four legs so that it can be easily used while in bed.

The likelihood of some of these making it to shops is slim, but some ideas have already been to good use elsewhere.

"Simple. Keep it thin (thin is style all in itself) and light. To do this ditch the optical drive (who uses it anymore?) and use a LED backlit screen. (OLED in the future when it is cheap)," suggests kusler67, who could find a promising career working in Apple's notebook design department. However, there is one feature that Apple didn't think of. "Speaking of price competitive, we're heading into a pretty bad recession so keep it cheap."

This is not the first time that such a site has been created to gather valuable information from customers. Dell launched its IdeaStorm website, which caused the launch of new models pre-installed with Linux. Ubuntu has also trick, creating the Brainstorm site, where Linux users can request and vote on new feature ideas.