In fact, it is an Ottoman foot-stool. But with a difference.

If you lift the lid, nestling inside is an Intel Pentium III PC, 15-inch colour monitor, wireless keyboard, DVD, video camera and more.

The competition: Apple's iBook

The Ottoman PC is the latest attempt by Intel to bring computers into the mainstream of our lives.

Galvanised by Apple's mould-breaking iMac and iBook, the chip giant has formed links with a design company, Sozo, to create something which does more in terms of form than match the refrigerator.

Sozo describes the Ottoman as a padded foot-rest which can double as a coffee table.

Multi-functional

You can put your coffee cup on it too

If you can work out how to lift the lid while perching both a coffee cup and your feet on it, you have immediate access to:

"A home server designed to reside in the den or living room acting as a gateway to encourage proliferation of connected homes through easy-to-use data and communication functions for each member of the family," according to a gushing press release.

Patrick Gelsinger, Intel's Vice President, Desktop Products Group, said, "We are naturally very excited about the creative implementation of our revolutionary Pentium III processor in the world's first Furniture PC."