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ASUS and Intel Launch Collaborative PC Design Site

Jupix writes "There's an interesting new community by ASUS and Intel called WePC. It enables anyone to post their dream PC including not only function, but form as well. You can draw up your dream and describe it in words, and also fiddle with some predetermined properties. No doubt the two companies are looking for common configurations so they can implement them in future products, but according to the press release, even individual designs may get the two companies' backing."

85 comments

  1. my penis is small by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    will you kiss it and make it better?

  2. Obvious Question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    BUT DO THEY RUN LINUX?

  3. cool by pak9rabid · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Sounds like they're taking a page from Dell. Any design process that involves the end-user is a plus in my book.

    1. Re:cool by Quantos · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This is just another form of corporate laziness. They try to make us seem like we are part of the bigger picture, making a difference, place redundant catch phrase here. They'll let us do the work, then market it for an obscene amount of money.
      My son says it should be big and purple, dance, and sing a catchy little tune. I love you, you love me....

      --
      Some people are only alive because it's against the law for me to hunt them down and kill them.
    2. Re:cool by lysergic.acid · · Score: 1

      so soliciting consumer feedback and doing market research is now a form of corporate laziness?

      what is wrong with a PC manufacturer trying to open a dialog with its consumer base? are you afraid that they're going to make a product that you actually like? you don't need to participate or even visit the site if you don't want to. but this gives others the opportunity to influence the direction of two of the biggest companies in the computer industry.

      most people contributing to the site probably aren't ever going to have the chance to realize their PC designs on their own, much less bring it to market. so what do they have to lose by giving their ideas to ASUS/Intel? presumably, most of users of this site will be PC consumers who regularly purchase & use ASUS products. by getting users to contribute design ideas, ASUS/Intel can be more in tuned with the needs/wants of their customers. and by helping ASUS design products that better fit their needs, ASUS customers are more likely to be satisfied with their future purchases. it's a win-win situation.

      and i don't see what this has to do with products being priced too high. companies will do that regardless of consumer input. and ASUS actually has very competitively priced consumer PCs.

    3. Re:cool by Gewalt · · Score: 1

      You seem to be taking a hard line stance against this behavior, as if it were purified evil. Ok. Why? What about this behavior do you find to inscrutable?

      I honestly don't see anything wrong at all with crowd-sourcing. Especially not when the crowd is so willing to lend its hand.

      --
      Modding Trolls +1 inciteful since 1999
  4. Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by butalearner · · Score: 4, Funny

    A relatively sharp-edged rectangular prism, pale cream in color. I think it'll be immensely popular.

    1. Re:Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by Anpheus · · Score: 1

      We could make it turn more of a yellow to give it an antiquated look.

    2. Re:Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by thegnu · · Score: 2, Funny

      you know what's missing from my computer? drives that are slightly whiter than the rest of my computer. And HDD lights that fall out the third time I press the power button.

      --
      Please stop stalking me, bro.
    3. Re:Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I want to bring back the MHz indicator and turbo button as standard features again.

    4. Re:Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd like to see netbooks and laptops with three mouse buttons. That'd be great for pasting from the clipboard when using X. And it's only another mouse button, it can't cost much.

    5. Re:Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by Anpheus · · Score: 1

      And a turbo button.

    6. Re:Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by thegnu · · Score: 1

      And a turbo button.

      Dear Intel:
      My computer is doing 66. Please add a button so I can also do 166.
      Thanks

      --
      Please stop stalking me, bro.
    7. Re:Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dude, you're getting a Dell!

    8. Re:Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by lukas84 · · Score: 1

      Lenovo.

    9. Re:Just submitted a design for the perfect PC by Areyoukiddingme · · Score: 1

      That would be funny, but....

      I read through several hundred posts on that site. That's roughly the quality of idea they're getting. I finally ran away screaming since the site lacks a Slashdot-style moderation system. 4010 suggestions, at least half of which were -1 Dumbass.

  5. CRASH! by Iceykitsune · · Score: 2, Informative

    Broken in firefox 3. :(

    --
    GENERATION 24: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social exper
    1. Re:CRASH! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Broken in firefox 3. :(

      Not for me, with the site temporarily allowed in no script.

    2. Re:CRASH! by neumayr · · Score: 1

      Hold on, you're saying the site is broken because it made Firefox crash?

      --
      Truth arises more readily from error than from confusion. -Francis Bacon
    3. Re:CRASH! by Iceykitsune · · Score: 1

      No, what I am saying is that they should have payed more attention to the standards.

      --
      GENERATION 24: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social exper
    4. Re:CRASH! by GigaplexNZ · · Score: 2, Informative

      And what neumayr was suggesting is that the browser shouldn't crash despite the web pages best efforts to kill it.

    5. Re:CRASH! by funkatron · · Score: 1

      Fine here.

      --
      "Welcome to our world. We are the wasted youth. And we are the future too." Yes, I know these are stupid lyrics.
  6. IBM Thinkpad T40p series by c.r.o.c.o · · Score: 1

    It's an obsession of mine, but I'd buy a new laptop tomorrow if it had exactly the same form factor, build quality and materials of the original T40p with updated internals. It would have a 14.1in SXGA+ led LCD (no widescreens please), 1 in thickness (or less), fast CPU (Core2Duo or higher) and fast video card (that won't fall out after less than a year), decent battery life (4+ h), etc.

    Of course it will never happen, so...

    1. Re:IBM Thinkpad T40p series by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think you are referring to a T60. Not the widescreen T60, the normal one. At least, thats the specs of my work T60, to a T.

      Mind, the screen is crap. Terrible.

    2. Re:IBM Thinkpad T40p series by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was hoping that the new Apple laptops would replace my 12" powerbook, but alas, they still don't have a real video card in that form factor, and much like the T40, it seems a quality laptop in this form factor doesn't exist anymore. Its all 15"+ or netbook.

    3. Re:IBM Thinkpad T40p series by c.r.o.c.o · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I've owned the T40p and currently I have a T60p (both 14.1in SXGA+ versions). Believe me, the build quality of the T40p was much, much better. The lid in the T40 was metal (magnesium or titanium, can't remember) while in the T60 it's titanium reinforced plastic. The rubber coating is more prone to scratches, and it doesn't have the same fit.

      And I know on the surface they both look like black slabs of plastic, but if you do a side by side comparison, the T40p design is also better (it had some areas angled inwards giving it a sleeker look). The touchpad was larger, the mouse buttons had a nicer plastic, etc.

      Meh, no point in dwelling on the past. Those laptops will never come back. I think my next one will be a top of the line Sony IF they can get their driver issues straightened. Build quality is still excellent, performance and battery life is great. The only issue I've seen with SOME of their models is getting the necessary drivers for a clean install, which can a pain.

    4. Re:IBM Thinkpad T40p series by vigour · · Score: 1

      The lid in the T40 was metal (magnesium or titanium, can't remember)

      I think we can discount magnesium :P
      It'll react with water, and if you scratch it, the flakes can ignite very easily. It is pretty to look at flaming magnesium strips, but I wouldn't like a laptop made of it.

      Back on topic, my fiance used to have a thinkpad of some sort. I never bothered to check what model, but I remember the heavy docking port she used to lug around with it just to read floppies. It also had no trackpad, used to annoy me when I had to use it.

      It really put me off thinkpads

    5. Re:IBM Thinkpad T40p series by Zerth · · Score: 1

      I think we can discount magnesium :P
      It'll react with water, and if you scratch it, the flakes can ignite very easily. It is pretty to look at flaming magnesium strips, but I wouldn't like a laptop made of it.

      No, not really, since the T40 did have a magnesium alloy lid.

      Unless you being a pedant about it being magnesium alloy, but then you'd be consistent on it not being elemental titanium either.

    6. Re:IBM Thinkpad T40p series by vigour · · Score: 1

      that is a fair point, I don't know much about the types of cases they use :) and when I read magnesium I read it as the metal rather than an alloy. On the upshot, I never did say it was pure Ti either, and in my line of work/study I have to be precise with what I mean when I start throwing around element names. Othwerwise it's like saying FePt and NiFe are the same, since they are both made of iron.

      One's a hard magnet, FePt in the right phase which might be used for high density perpendicular recording in the future, possibly as nanowires, or nanoparticles link 2, and the other's a soft magnet, NiFe, or permalloy, which can be one of the layers in a TMR read head.

  7. A proper aspect ratio and no glossy screen...? by Joce640k · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'll settle for that.

    --
    No sig today...
    1. Re:A proper aspect ratio and no glossy screen...? by PitaBred · · Score: 1

      Glossy is pretty nice for working with media... colors have a much larger working range.

      As for an aspect ratio... I can get a bigger laptop screen on my lap on an airplane with a widescreen than with a "normal" one, and I can get a better keyboard with a smaller screen with a widescreen. Both of which trump your "but it doesn't have enough vertical pixels!" argument. Get something 1440x900 or higher, and it's not that bad to work with, really. 1280x800 isn't enough vertical resolution, I'll give you that.

    2. Re:A proper aspect ratio and no glossy screen...? by Ant+P. · · Score: 1

      Proper aspect ratio? That's the one where you can fit two Vim windows side by side right?

    3. Re:A proper aspect ratio and no glossy screen...? by renoX · · Score: 1

      While I agree about the no glossy screen, how do you define a 'proper' aspect ratio?
      It very much depends on what you're doing with your laptop..

  8. I'm thinking more along the lines of a package by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Its easy enough for people to say they want a supercomputer in a laptop, but I'm thinking for the average internet user.

    The package consists of :
    A free lobotomy
    A portable internet kiosk which blocks all the internet but Digg and Youtube.

    Optional Extras:
    New Zealand citizenship

    I'm suggesting the form factor of an arcade-game cabinet, but they probably won't go for that.

    1. Re:I'm thinking more along the lines of a package by GigaplexNZ · · Score: 1

      As a New Zealand citizen I do not wish to be lumped together with the average internet user from Australia. We have enough bandwidth issues as it is.

  9. What are the limits? by gsgriffin · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I personally like blond and voluptuous. Make a computer like that!

    --
    jsut athnoer menagiensls ltitle psrhae for you to dcoede. Why do we wtsae our tmie dnoig tihs?
  10. To use a starcraft 2 phrase... by blahplusplus · · Score: 1

    "Hell... It's about time"

  11. Request #1: Ditch Flash by CSMatt · · Score: 4, Informative

    To access the advanced features of this site, please install the latest version of Flash.

    Fail.

    1. Re:Request #1: Ditch Flash by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      After submitting your dream system, instead of asking unique identifier ask for registration with email address.
      => Fail.

    2. Re:Request #1: Ditch Flash by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      The real fail is that they expect you to draw your idea. ARTISTS ONLY! (you can pick one of their EXTREMELY LAME pictures instead...)

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  12. Wide Case or vertical rack by camperdave · · Score: 1

    I have an old secretarial desk that used to have a typewriter table in it. The mechanism was busted, so it was removed. Now I have a big gaping hole in the pedestal of my desk which houses my computers. I have a desktop style Dell sitting on the floor, and a mid-size tower sitting on top of that. The hole is about 13" wide by just under 19" tall. It is too narrow for two cases to sit side by side, however, a double wide case would fit nicely. What I mean by a double wide case, is one which would have enough space to mount two DVD drives side by side. I'd like to have a machine in which I could mount a half a dozen or so removable drive bays.

    The alternative would be a rack mount machine which could be mounted vertically (keeping the DVD drive horizontal).

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    1. Re:Wide Case or vertical rack by couchslug · · Score: 1

      There are plenty of "cube" server cases which would fit your needs. That sort of PC has been a popular build for many years.

      --
      "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  13. Not this by nostriluu · · Score: 1

    Any community/crowd sourcing app should start off with clear terms of use. I don't see them. It looks more like an opportunity for intel/asus to advertise to me.

    Personally I am looking for something like the Gigabyte M192 (?) but with a good keyboard and battery life (minimum 5 hours). Current designs are limited by the OS, to a fetish degree. Vista Ultimate? Give me a break.

    A notebook should be better than a real notebook, an ideapad in the truest sense, where we can mix text and graphics and reference-able notes easily using the screen and the keyboard, with audio and video. But now it is more about configuration options in the control panel. I would expect to see the "perfect" device based on Android more than what these characters are working on, something that goes back to basics and tries to figure out what we are trying to do and integrates things so that we can rely on the computer as a computing buddy, a means to an end of organizing, computing and sharing rather than a main feature of configuring the computer.

  14. You might like... by mattytee · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...the new Dell Mini 12

    1. Re:You might like... by twistedcubic · · Score: 1

      You provided a link with no images. That's the best part.

    2. Re:You might like... by mattytee · · Score: 1

      Sorry, couldn't dig up it on their site. Just announced, no product page yet. Looks a lot like the mini 9.

      But for images, here you go.

    3. Re:You might like... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Mini 12 is the antithesis of a MPB12. The MPB12 was a highend ultraportable with a semi-decent videocard for its day. the Dell Mini 12 is an underpowered, cheap POS that can barely run it's OS. It's SLOWER than a 3 1/2 year old MPB12.

      Sadly, a decent modern GPU exceeds the entire power output of the old MPB12. Even Sony 13" subs are using the 9300M GS which isn't a whole lot faster than the mRadeon9700 that's on my 4 year old 14" 2kg Acer.

  15. Please please please by mattytee · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How about putting a 1280x768 or better resolution screen on any netbook running a decent, non-VIA processor?

    The HP 2133 is the only one, but it's got that garbage chip in it and apparently also runs too hot to use on your lap.

    PLEASE give me an Eee/Wind/Aspire One with a decent resolution!

    1. Re:Please please please by MadUndergrad · · Score: 1

      From what I've heard, the VIA Nano is at least on par with the Atom, if not better. I'd love to see an HP mini-note with a Nano instead of the older VIA processor.

    2. Re:Please please please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Like Fujitsus P1630 or U820/U2010 ?

  16. Won't they just end up with by lxs · · Score: 2, Funny
  17. The Ultimate Netbook Design by mmxsaro · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    This guy pretty much sums it up.

  18. I love my Eee, but it could do with a companion... by Kris_J · · Score: 1

    My Eee PC is great, but occasionally I'd like more screen real estate and a DVD drive. I have suggested this on the site in question, but I'll repeat it here.

    I'd like a clamshell device with the same outer shell as the Eee PC and the same screen as the Eee PC, even the same battery as the Eee PC, but instead of being a computer I'd like it to be a portable DVD player, BUT with a VGA in so that the screen can be used as the second screen for my Eee PC AND with a USB port that lets you connect the DVD drive as an external drive for the Eee PC.

    Asus should be able to do this using exactly the same molding as the Eee PC, except for the panel where the keyboard currently is. I reckon it'd look really cool pulling out what looks like two Eee PCs then hooking them up as a pair to make a fairly useful portable workstation. (Frankly, given the frequency with which designs are ripped off by Chinese manufacturers, I'm surprised there isn't already a portable DVD player that looks like an Eee.)

  19. Here's what WE want by tepples · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I want something like an Eee Box, but optimized for movies and gaming. We could call it the "We Box".

    We Box would be a PC roughly the size of a Mac mini. The front has four USB ports, one SD card slot, and one optical drive. The back has two more USB ports, HDMI, and S-video output. The inside has the best GMA that Intel makes, as well as Bluetooth (or wireless USB) and Wi-Fi. And it should boot to some Linux flavor from an internal SSD, using the recent 5-second boot optimizations for console-style instant on, with an Eee PC style full-screen tabbed start menu. Don't forget to put in easy access to CNR to buy apps and games, and bundle a wireless keyboard, trackball (not mouse), and gamepad for usability from the couch.

    1. Re:Here's what WE want by tknd · · Score: 1

      I don't care about the optical drive because they're becoming useless and you can always attach an external one through USB.

      I do care about HDMI and the ability of the cpu/gpu to handle 1080p h264 video decoding.

      I would also like to see a wider selection of small wireless keyboards (num-pad-less) with integrated track pads or pointing devices. They can use an FN key to simulate the numpad but please put the FN key between the ctrl+alt keys, not on the corner. This applies to netbooks and laptops too.

    2. Re:Here's what WE want by GigaplexNZ · · Score: 1

      I would also like to see a wider selection of small wireless keyboards (num-pad-less) with integrated track pads or pointing devices.

      The diNovo Edge or diNovo Mini from Logitech pretty much cover this (minus the Fn key numpad).

    3. Re:Here's what WE want by rwyoder · · Score: 1

      The front has four USB ports, one SD card slot, and one optical drive. The back has two more USB ports, HDMI, and S-video output...

      S-video??? The '80's called; They want their video back. And what I see missing is any mention of copper/optical digital audio input/output that can be plugged into a home entertainment system.

    4. Re:Here's what WE want by blahplusplus · · Score: 1

      "I want something like an Eee Box, but optimized for movies and gaming. We could call it the "We Box". "

      It already exists, it's called the Xbox 360. Also if Intel consolized their margins on CPU's would go way down.

    5. Re:Here's what WE want by Jorophose · · Score: 1

      No need for Intel parts; it could be a UVD2-based AMD chipset. I was thinking VIA miniITX board, but none of them seem to support h.264 decoding which would have been nice, but a few support PCIE x16 so you could always add in a HD4450 or whatever.

      Oh, and it has to be low price. 400$-500$ tops.

    6. Re:Here's what WE want by tepples · · Score: 1

      I don't care about the optical drive because they're becoming useless

      It's not fun to try to download a multi-GB game over sub-Mbps DSL or (worse) dial-up. It's also not fun to try to move to a place with a higher cost of living just to get a faster home Internet connection.

      and you can always attach an external one through USB.

      But then that defeats the purpose of a relatively standardized gaming and media rig, as publishers can't assume there's an optical drive present.

  20. I think it's more like... by symbolset · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Hey! People are clever. Why don't we let them tell us what they like, rather than just pushing the stuff we want to give them.

    It's a more humanistic view. I like it. If you don't like it, you don't have to give them your cool ideas. If they actually see what people give them and say "hey, these are neat ideas" and actually implement them, that would be fantastic.

    --
    Help stamp out iliturcy.
    1. Re:I think it's more like... by Quantos · · Score: 1

      I obviously missed managing to sound facetious in that post :)

      --
      Some people are only alive because it's against the law for me to hunt them down and kill them.
  21. Linux or Vista? by tepples · · Score: 1

    How about putting a 1280x768 or better resolution screen on any netbook

    What operating system would you use with your 720p-class netbook? I thought Microsoft wouldn't sell the OEM a copy of Windows XP unless it is to be installed on a machine whose monitor has no more than 1024 pixels across. Are you talking about Xandros[1] or Windows Vista?

    [1] The flavor of Linux used on ASUS Eee PC.

    1. Re:Linux or Vista? by GigaplexNZ · · Score: 1

      That's fine, give me a 800x1280 portrait screen running XP with the option to rotate it 90 degrees.

    2. Re:Linux or Vista? by mattytee · · Score: 1

      In my experience, 1280x768 in Vista might as well be 1024x600. The window title bars are humongous, that sidebar takes a bunch of space... This can probably be easily configured, but Vista also ran about half the speed of XP on the dual core Turion notebook I tried it on, so I "downgraded".

      I had a Xandros EeePC 701, it wasn't that bad when you turned off easy mode. I was running compiz fusion at a decent speed. Ubuntu netbook remix looks pretty nice.

  22. I have an idea, but is mine all mine by giorgist · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Hey Guys, I have an idea that is a bit of a game changer. It involves netbook with a twist. How do I go about getting some recognition, especially a monetary one.

    G

  23. why not GPL our PC/netbook designs? by wikinerd · · Score: 3, Insightful

    According to their terms of use about the "Create your own PC" activity:

    [we] may freely use the User Content you submit in the design of a personal computer or netbook with no obligation to provide compensation or reimbursement to you [...] you assign to the [us] all rights, interests and titles you now possess or will possess in the future (especially the right to register patent rights)

    Personally I would prefer to put my designs on my website under the GPL. Manufacturers could still get my design and build it, but I would be able to get their modifications back and further improve my design.

    1. Re:why not GPL our PC/netbook designs? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Personally I would prefer to put my designs on my website under the GPL. Manufacturers could still get my design and build it, but I would be able to get their modifications back and further improve my design.

      Or they could just steal your ideas, reimplement them from scratch, and say they have no idea who you are.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    2. Re:why not GPL our PC/netbook designs? by badkarmadayaccount · · Score: 1
      --
      I know tobacco is bad for you, so I smoke weed with crack.
  24. sure by zogger · · Score: 1

    Here's an idea for all these manufacturers, how about standard form factor laptops so they can be upgraded easily with a new mobo/cpu deal? Why is it this is completely common on the desktop, where you can just pick a case and go from there and assemble exactly what you want, and then upgrade components as you see fit and want to afford, but they act like it is an affront to civilization to be able to do this with laptops?

    1. Re:sure by couchslug · · Score: 1

      "but they act like it is an affront to civilization to be able to do this with laptops?"

      It would be an affront to profitability through planned obsolescence. The ideal consumer electronic item would die at purchase, be too expensive to repair, and immediately be replaced with something newer. Laptops are very often beyond economical repair unless you have an organ donor machine.

      It's also no accident that Dell desktops don't have standard form factors, and no accident that most automobiles and light trucks have a wide variety of transmission bell housings...

      --
      "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  25. Obvious Reply by GigaplexNZ · · Score: 1

    Of course they would.

  26. Aaargh! It's been Rick-Rolled! by Blancmange · · Score: 1

    After submitting my design for the Überbook, I had a quick browse through the efforts of the other users.

    What I saw in there was Goatse times a thousand—more than my Joo-Jantas could bear.

    --
    Blancmange
  27. Totally awesome system by jcgf · · Score: 1
    I would like this in a 19" rackmount case (each on their own board with high speed interconnects - in no more than a 6U unit)

    (2x) SPARC64 VII 2.4 GHz
    (2x) UltraSPARC T2+ 1.2 GHz
    (2x) Intel Core 2 QX9775 3.2 GHz

    Now add 8GB RAM for each of them. 1080p Graphics for the Intel and similar for the S64 VII
    Graphics for the T2+ don't matter so much just throw in something with 2 outputs

    Now add a couple of disks for each (SATA 6.0 Gbit/s in a Raid 0 array 1 terabyte each)
    Build in at least 10 USB ports for each system and 5 firewire (400 and 800 - each)
    Mount half of the above on the front of the case.
    Build in an small inch touchscreen with the ability to switch between each system.
    Separate similar sized LCD to display stats
    Gig ethernet switch built in.
    I do not want any 2.4 GHz wireless (802.11*).
    I would also like an all band HF/6m/2m/125cm/70cm transceiver in there in its own Faraday cage to keep the nasty rfi out. It only needs to put out a watt on each band to keep the heat down (I can use external amps - they can go in the rack too).

    1. Re:Totally awesome system by jcgf · · Score: 1

      Almost forgot, I need it to run off 12 VDC.

  28. Disposable PC by Animats · · Score: 1

    How about this?

    • 12" display.
    • Full size keyboard.
    • Connectors: power, USB, VGA or HDMI, 100baseT. WiFi.
    • Enough processing power to run a fast browser. Something at the Atom/Via level.
    • 18 hour or better battery life.
    • Modest software suite: Browser, OpenOffice, media players.
    • Hard drive or flash, but no swapping.
    • Secure to EAL4 or above.
    • $199 at launch; declines 20% per year.
    • Packaged in bubble pack and sold at drugstores.

    A big fraction of users don't need more than that. It's sort of an OLPC for grownups. (The OLPC is cute, but just too tiny for adults, and 3 years behind the technology now.)

    1. Re:Disposable PC by Alex+Belits · · Score: 1

      Enough processing power to run a fast browser. Something at the Atom/Via level.
      18 hour or better battery life.

      I would like a perpetual motion machine, too.

      --
      Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
    2. Re:Disposable PC by sethstorm · · Score: 1

      I'd hope that the environmentalists keep this one from the table.

      --
      Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.
    3. Re:Disposable PC by Animats · · Score: 1

      I would like a perpetual motion machine, too.

      It's not unreasonable to get 18 hour battery life. You're not going to get it with some multicore power hog machine, at least not yet, but for a lower-powered processor in a somewhat larger case, why not? The OLPC does it, and with less space for the battery.

    4. Re:Disposable PC by asadodetira · · Score: 1

      I posted a proposal to lower power consumption.

      1-Many uses for a PC are text based. Email - Text editing - Twitter - News - Blogs - Movie Times - Weather - Wikipedia - Instant Messaging

      2-A few can be satisfied with a low-res display: Youtube - Newscasts - Picture Viewing

      The Ideal device has TWO LOW COST- LOW POWER SCREENS.

      1- A Text-Only LCD screen with efficient GUI (i.e. norton commander)

      2- A Small color LCD display (less than 2 inches)

      To extend battery life Display #2 can be deactivated when the user is not looking at a picture or video. For activities in display #1, processor speed can be low, since refreshing the text-only screen is fast. A high end microcontroller might be enough for that.

      This should results in very long battery life and low cost of the computer. I wish I could build something like that.

      http://www.wepc.com/vote/view/idea/2558/Eternal_battery_PC

    5. Re:Disposable PC by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      The display is too small, especially for the elderly. Also plenty of people do not need a portable, so I propose the alternative for those people:

      1. Video: DVI/HDMI/VGA out on one connector, with "adapters". 2d accelerated video with a nice scaler.
      2. Other connectors: 4x USB2, power, 10/100bT, WiFi ant.
      3. Modest software suite: Abiword, an mp3 player, firefox with flash. (I'm thinking AMD GEODE, Intel Atom, etc.)
      4. Flash storage, period the end. With two SD slots (which supports Mini and Micro.) No SDIO (no hardware support? no driver problems.)

      What it would cost is anyone's guess but you can get something like it for $200 with no storage from PC Engines, two MiniPCI slots (one with WiFi b/g for that price) and a CF slot... Unfortunately the CF is 3.3 volt only, so it won't support my Microdrive :(

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  29. Like American Idol wasn't bad enough by dontmakemethink · · Score: 1

    Now we have PC Idol. Do not get me started on how American Idol has skewed the ambitions of budding musicians. Imagine a computer company/platform that has shyte hardware, shyte OS, but makes an iMac look like an iMutt. Imagine every non-IT educated consumer running to Walmart to buy them.

    Think it can't happen? Imagine a Dick Cheney taking over Microsoft when Bill Gates hangs up his gloves. That's all it would take.

    --

    War as we knew it was obsolete
    Nothing could beat complete denial
    - Emily Haines
  30. Remove the numlock key by funkatron · · Score: 1

    I don't think anyone ever wants to disable numlock so why have a button for it?

    --
    "Welcome to our world. We are the wasted youth. And we are the future too." Yes, I know these are stupid lyrics.
  31. XNA limitations by tepples · · Score: 1

    It already exists, it's called the Xbox 360.

    As I understand it, you can't develop XNA games using free software: you need Windows ($300) to run XNA Game Studio, and you need to install XNA Creators Club ($495 for a 5-year subscription) on your Xbox 360. Nor can you port an existing game to XNA without either rewriting pretty much everything in C# or writing the whole thing in Lua and running it in a Lua interpreter written in C#.

  32. S-video for DVD recorders and SDTV monitors by tepples · · Score: 1

    S-video??? The '80's called; They want their video back.

    What if you want to record a video of your performance in a video game to post to YouTube? I was in the DVD recorder aisles of Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Target, and I couldn't find a single DVD or hard disk recorder that took component, VGA, DVI, or HDMI input. They could all do component and HDMI output, but not input. And the installed base of CRT SDTVs can't take HDMI, VGA, or even progressive component input.