"Intel and manufacturer ASUS have launched a project asking people to say what they would like to see in a PC. The companies are asking people to "dream the impossible" to help design the first community-designed PC.

A website, WePC.com, has been set up to allow people to share and comment on ideas to "enable a global conversation about the ideal elements of a PC."

Both companies insist the project is not simply cheap talk, saying there is a commitment to building the machine. "The spark for innovation can come from anywhere," said Intel's Mike Hoeffinger.

He added that both companies have joined together "to tap into the creative energy of consumers...and give people a voice in the design of technology they use every day."

Technology companies have always asked for customer feedback, but this is being billed as a new approach to product design and to customer involvement, says Lillian Lin, the director of marketing and planning at ASUS.

"By empowering WePC.com users to play a role in the design process, we expect to deliver cutting-edge community-designed products that address a consumer vision of the dream PC," said Ms Lin. "