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Why Not Put the Processor and Motherboard Behind the Laptop's Screen?

post #1 of 11
6/26/08 at 5:29am
Thread Starter 
As I sit here with my MacBook on my lap burning a hole in my jeans, it struck me, is there any reason not to put the guts of the computer behind the screen? Maybe leave a few components under the keyboard so the base is at a comfortable angle (similar to the MacBook Air), but migrate the heat generating elements to the back of screen where it's probably easier to dissipate the heat.
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post #2 of 11
6/26/08 at 9:26am
Because it would be top-heavy and fall over, and it would look stupid. The latter reason is probably more important to Apple.
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post #3 of 11
6/26/08 at 10:25am
The screen generates heat also.
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post #4 of 11
6/26/08 at 11:21am
Heat from the processor would be detrimental to the screen. The extra weight would also make the machine more likely to tip over. A better solution would be asbestos pants.
Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face? - Jack D. Ripper
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Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face? - Jack D. Ripper
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post #5 of 11
6/26/08 at 11:38am
It would only tip if the battery, HD and optical drive were there. With the battery, DVD and HD left in the base, the battery could even be made bigger. It would then be pretty heavy though.

The circuitry could be put behind the display near the base.

The biggest issue besides the heat affecting the screen I'd say is the fact that the ports are soldered onto the motherboard directly and I'd rather not have USB, ethernet, Firewire etc coming out the sides of the screen.
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post #6 of 11
6/26/08 at 4:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nobody Special View Post

As I sit here with my MacBook on my lap burning a hole in my jeans, it struck me, is there any reason not to put the guts of the computer behind the screen? Maybe leave a few components under the keyboard so the base is at a comfortable angle (similar to the MacBook Air), but migrate the heat generating elements to the back of screen where it's probably easier to dissipate the heat.

That's why Apple calls them notebooks instead of laptops!
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post #7 of 11
6/26/08 at 5:47pm
It's been done:

Providing grist for the rumour mill since 2001.
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Providing grist for the rumour mill since 2001.
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post #8 of 11
6/26/08 at 6:33pm
The OLPC has the motherboard behind the screen, but its design is quite different from other laptops.
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post #9 of 11
6/26/08 at 6:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wmf View Post

The OLPC has the motherboard behind the screen, but its design is quite different from other laptops.

It also uses a 0.8 Watt processor.
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post #10 of 11
6/28/08 at 4:22pm
It will be top heavy as long a physical keyboard is used. That will change in a couple of years though when things go touch screen.
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post #11 of 11
6/29/08 at 3:19pm
Some ULCPCs do that, but they look like crap.

And they're not that stable either, understandably.

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MacBook Pro 15" | Intel Core2 Duo 2.66GHz | 320GB HDD | OS X v10.8
White iPad (3G) with Wi-Fi | 16GB | Engraved | Blue Polyurethane Smart Cover
White iPhone 5 | 64GB | On 3UK

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