Intel builds laptop into surfboard

Intel has done something truly daft, and built a laptop into a surfboard. The "Oh, now you can really surf the Web" kind of gags are just too tempting in this case, so we thought we'd steer clear of them and focus on the kit.

As well as a tablet PC, the 9ft Wi-Fi longboard also has built in solar panels and a video camera. The tablet has a wireless chip, a 1.7Ghz processor and a 80Gb hard drive. It is protected from the sea by a specially designed waterproof casing made of a tough but lightweight tray with a silicone seal, a crystal PVC cover and an aluminium gasket, The BBC reports.

Intel says that even though it is all a bit of a giggle, it has tried to incorporate the computer into the board without messing with the ride. Pro surfer Duncan Scott is set to try it out - via a hotspot on the beach - at the GoldCoast Oceanfest at Croyde beach in North Devon this weekend.

Gives you something to do while waiting for your set wave, we suppose. ®

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Pictures and the full BBC story are here, to prove we're not making this nonsense up.

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