ASUSTEK wants to release an eco-friendly laptop made out of bamboo.

The Asus Eco Book has a case made out of laminated bamboo strips. Since there is a lot of bamboo in the world and it grows fast it makes it an ideal renewable resource for making PCs out of, thinks Asustek.

The processing does mean a few toxins get into the mix, but generally bamboo makes for an eco-friendly alternative.

An early version has been shown to hacks at Reuters and engineers are checking to see if the bamboo can take the heat.

Asustek has made a leather computer before, but this is the first time that it has had a go at making one out of a plant.

The downside to a laptop made out of bamboo is that it could be eaten by pandas, who primary food is bamboo chutes.

So far the number of panda related laptop thefts has been slight but this could grow if Asustek starts making them out of panda snacks.