WePC: Intel and Asus ask you to build your own laptop
Intel and Asus have teamed up for a crowd-sourcing project of sorts to give users a say in what they want in a laptop. The ultimate goal is to create the first community-designed PC.
The site, WePC.com, got a mention on PC Pro among others. PC Pro’s take: “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.”
Besides putting forth ideas and voting for proposal concepts, community members can also interact with other members. Intel’s partner marketing group general manager Mike Hoefflinger said, ‘the spark for innovation can come from anywhere’.
‘That’s why Intel is working with ASUS to tap into the creative energy of consumers as they share ideas on designing their ideal PC,’ he said.
‘Intel is committed to encouraging conversations with consumers and giving people a voice in the design of technology they use every day.’
“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.
There are already quite a few designs on the site, with some as intriguing as a mouse that generates power as it’s being used, to reduce energy consumption. Some of the ideas presented are certainly unusual, such as a laptop with legs or fold-out displays. But this just might be what the industry needs – fresh input to liven up the dull notebook design environment.
Right now notebooks are similar to the point of monotony, with users often resorting to customizing notebooks themselves. There are plenty of decals being sold for such purposes while companies like Dell offer fancy shell casings for certain models or art options. But being able to offer design hacks for laptops might just prove the trick to enlivening dull laptop designs.
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November 2nd, 2008
Have you all read the user agreement?
Hi. I just singed up and it appears to me that Asus and Intel are just getting a whole bunch of free ideas with zero compensation to the creator.
I already have one patent for a laptop stand that is in production and I am not sure I am willing to share my other good ideas for zero reward.
Caveat Emptor People!
October 17th, 2010
Nice ghoulish write-up … actually fitting to your season and impressivly damn exciting. numerous for sharing!Have a great day, Brown