Sony has what the Apple sub-notebook should be [pic]
Yes, fine, so it doesn't have an optical drive. But damn, that would be so sweet with OS X on it.
[quote]
<a href="http://www.dynamism.com/u1/main.shtml"; target="_blank">http://www.dynamism.com/u1/main.shtml</a>;
Sony's latest prototype, the PCG-U1, is a wonderful and exotic piece of technology. The "U1" is the smallest and lightest model of the entire "Vaio" series. Indeed, it has long been Sony's conception to shrink a full-featured laptop into an always-carry device; they have succeeded with the Vaio U1. The entire package, including a Crusoe 867 MHz processor, 6.4" (XGA) TFT-LCD, 20gb HDD, 384mb RAM (max), weighs merely 1.8 pounds, and boasts an incredible footprint of only 7.3" x 5.5".
The U1 is designed for easy operation even if the user is holding it in a standing posture. Assuming use with both hands holding the chassis, the PC has a "wide-stick" for the thumb of the right hand which functions as a mouse cursor. The left thumb rests on a button that works as the left and right mouse buttons. There is also a built-in zoom function, which works at the touch of a button. A scrolling "Jog Dial" is also mounted above the keyboard, and integrated ports include a PC card slot, firewire, LAN, a headphone/audio output. Additionally, a pair of built-in USB ports and a VGA output allow the machine to double as a desktop unit.
The U1 demonstrates why Sony is recognized, even by hardened competitors, as the world's leader in miniaturizing consumer devices. Any individual, company, or organization could find a unique use for the U1. Whether the needs is for an eye-catching model unlike anything that has come before, or a powerful tool for use by a sales force out in the field, the Vaio U1 is an unprecedented and unrivaled powerhouse in an ultra-small package.
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[quote]
<a href="http://www.dynamism.com/u1/main.shtml"; target="_blank">http://www.dynamism.com/u1/main.shtml</a>;
Sony's latest prototype, the PCG-U1, is a wonderful and exotic piece of technology. The "U1" is the smallest and lightest model of the entire "Vaio" series. Indeed, it has long been Sony's conception to shrink a full-featured laptop into an always-carry device; they have succeeded with the Vaio U1. The entire package, including a Crusoe 867 MHz processor, 6.4" (XGA) TFT-LCD, 20gb HDD, 384mb RAM (max), weighs merely 1.8 pounds, and boasts an incredible footprint of only 7.3" x 5.5".
The U1 is designed for easy operation even if the user is holding it in a standing posture. Assuming use with both hands holding the chassis, the PC has a "wide-stick" for the thumb of the right hand which functions as a mouse cursor. The left thumb rests on a button that works as the left and right mouse buttons. There is also a built-in zoom function, which works at the touch of a button. A scrolling "Jog Dial" is also mounted above the keyboard, and integrated ports include a PC card slot, firewire, LAN, a headphone/audio output. Additionally, a pair of built-in USB ports and a VGA output allow the machine to double as a desktop unit.
The U1 demonstrates why Sony is recognized, even by hardened competitors, as the world's leader in miniaturizing consumer devices. Any individual, company, or organization could find a unique use for the U1. Whether the needs is for an eye-catching model unlike anything that has come before, or a powerful tool for use by a sales force out in the field, the Vaio U1 is an unprecedented and unrivaled powerhouse in an ultra-small package.
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Comments
It would be nice if Apple made something like this, but the reality of the situation is that Apple cannot have a computer for every person out there... they would sell for a little while, but after the few early adopters got their subnotebooks, sales would be sluggish for a few years until they all upgraded...
Its not enough insentive for a full time product---UNLESS it was a limited edition sort of thing, like what applenut was talking about in january... I'll look up the thread when i get home...
I think the coolest feature is the firewire network that simulates monitor spanning. YOu just drag your file from your desktop screen onto the laptop screen when connected via firewire (iLink)and it copies the file over.
I would love to hear about actual battery life.
Stick a bluetooth memory stick in it, get a BT headset and a Nokia GPRS/802.11b card and you're connected to data and voice servies 24/7!!!
$1899 is the price I think
My poor artwork aside, I think this comparison is roughly to scale.
Let's hope we can here in N.A. soon!!
I still say the x-wide picturebook format is the best shape for getting a full-size key pitch onto a subnote screen. Personally, I feel that you could get full size alpha keys in a keyboard (from the edge of 'tab' to the ']' key) and shrink and reposition the rest so the keyboard is not wider than that. Better to have fewer but larger keys.
Besides, you wouldn't try to design a webpage, edit a PowerPoint pitch or organize your family photos on your Blackberry, would you?
[ 05-09-2002: Message edited by: Michael Grey ]</p>
I was thinking the U1 would make a great portable communicator. Used with the add ons I mentioned in a previous post, you have a full wireless Web browsing device, and a cell phone + messaging. The picturebook could also be used for this, but $2500+ is a bit much to spend I think. Might as well add .3" and get a Fujitzu P series and get CD-RW/DVD.
My wife has a Motorola v101 and it's a great device (wish it had WAP!!!) She's anxiously waiting for a bluetooth headset.
This device is sort of a "super v101"
It's not supposed to be a full fledged laptop, but allows you to do real Web browsing, possibly use it as a voice terminal (nokia card + bluetooth headset and MS), chatting, email and light development use (I like to update my site anywhere I am)
<strong>...
It would be nice if Apple made something like this, but the reality of the situation is that Apple cannot have a computer for every person out there... they would sell for a little while, but after the few early adopters got their subnotebooks, sales would be sluggish for a few years until they all upgraded...
Its not enough insentive for a full time product---UNLESS it was a limited edition sort of thing, like what applenut was talking about in january... I'll look up the thread when i get home...</strong><hr></blockquote>
I disagree. I think Apple could sell a wider variety of laptops. At least in Japan, Apple's laptops regularly appear in the top ten in sales. That means that there are many other pc vendors with broader product lines than Apple which also have smaller market shares than Apple. Apple is skimming the market, they are not going after all the share they could get.
Apple did expand the line by making the 14 inch iBook using the same internals as the more popular 12.1 inch iBook. They could as easily make a lighter, thinner iBook, also using the same motherboard. The cost is not very high and it gains them a broader market.
I don't like the price or spec much either.
I think a 12" iBook would go just about anywhere one of those subnotes would go. Most still need a bag of some kind, and if you can make room for a subnote in your bag, you can make room for an iBook. In exchange for a little weight, you get a great screen, full-size keyboard with a good track-pad, and a fully functional combo drive. Not to mention OSX.
iBook is really a kind of all-in-one subnote. If you plan on carrying even one extra peripheral only some of the time, the all-in-one nature of the iBook makes it the better proposition. Those subnotes really don't save you much when you have to carry an external drive around.
<strong>Those subnotes really don't save you much when you have to carry an external drive around.</strong><hr></blockquote>
*If* you need an optical drive. I don't (in a subnote). For installation of the OS of course it is convenient, but how often do you do that from scratch?
[ 05-09-2002: Message edited by: 2far ]</p>
Apple would be silly if they catered to all of the 9 people on AppleInsider forums who want a little toy like this.
<a href="http://www.dynamism.com/gt3/gallery.shtml"; target="_blank">http://www.dynamism.com/gt3/gallery.shtml</a>;
The smallest notebook I would want is the iBook (or another notebook the same size as the iBook).
Regarding the second monstrosity with the video camera...now that's just stupid. I don't want a device that shoots poor video and stills and is also a poorly performing computer. I don't want to be forced to carry one around when I need the other.
Sub-notebook with the size limited by the keyboard, which is FULL SIZED. In other words, make the laptop around the keyboard, and size the LCD display to the size of the keyboard.
Don't bother with an optical drive, only outfit it with a HD, and of course all manner of ports and such. Also, give it a bad-ass video card so it can drive a very large display if need be.
This would be a PERFECT laptop for use in giving presentations, checking email, and doing light web surfing. It would be perfect for the person who does their heavy work at their desktop computer, but needs something to transport that work and then present it.
Currently I rely on burning a disc of my presentations, and then I must depend on the hardware on premesis for my talk. But the problem with that is that often I must use Windows, and Powerpoint files for Office 2001/v.X are NOT fully cross platform! Micro$oft purposefully makes it so that you WILL experience minor glitches when trying to give a presentation on windows powerpoint created on Mac powerpoint.
The best part about this laptop I've described is that it would be DIRT CHEAP. I'm thinking, around $800-$900 at most, perfect for someone who does their real work on the desktop and simply needs a portable unit to carry and display their work, and keep in touch with the www while away from the cable connection at home.