IDF Intel will pay whoever designs what it reckons is the world's coolest living room computer $1m. Apple's Mac Mini might be a candidate, but despite the appearance of VP Phil Schiller during CEO Paul Otellini's Intel Developer Forum - a first for the Mac maker - the contest is only open to Viiv-branded machines.

They also have to be based on the Core 2 Duo processor. Intel said it was looking for "sexy, stylish and small" designs. Whoever comes up with the best one will get $600,000 to fund the mass-production of the machine and $400,000 to market it.

Companies should get busy: Intel expects to announce the winner in just six months' time, at the March IDF next year. Contestants can submit up to five "stylish, small, quiet and cool-running PC" designs.

Otellini's one of the judges. So too will senior staffers from PC Magazine and - representing the geeks, presumably - GQ magazine. There's an industrial designer on the team too, apparently.

The rules of the contest can be found here. ®

Read Reg Hardware's complete IDF Fall 06 coverage here