10 inch powerbook feasible?
I have the current ibook, which I love. But it does lag behind in the speed department on occasion (I actually get a spinning timeout dial in Microsoft Word quite often, though I don't know why this would happen).
But I got to thinking, wouldn't it make sense to get a sub-12 inch powerbook into the mix?
I personally would love the portability of a 10 inch powerbook with a dvi connection. A TRUE portable on the go, and a true desktop when at home.
But I got to thinking, wouldn't it make sense to get a sub-12 inch powerbook into the mix?
I personally would love the portability of a 10 inch powerbook with a dvi connection. A TRUE portable on the go, and a true desktop when at home.
Comments
Originally posted by AugustWest
I have the current ibook, which I love. But it does lag behind in the speed department on occasion (I actually get a spinning timeout dial in Microsoft Word quite often, though I don't know why this would happen).
Make sure you've got the latest update to Office, and max out your memory (640 MB) - it doesn't cost much at all now.
I would like to see an iBook with a 13 inch screen. It would stay the same width as current model. (less bevel around screen) But it would not be as deep. More like dimentions of Titanium. Also it would get to 1 inch.
With that why go smaller?
Gee, I wonder why.
Originally posted by salmonstk
Steve is not into sub notebook. he wants the machine to have all basic features, i.e. regular keyboard and optical drive.
Also, very hard to pack all the hardware to make iLife work properly. You need space for all the hardware required to do audio/photo/video not to mention a powerful enough system to drive OS X. I think the 12" is all that current technology will allow. I was surprised as hell to see them release a 12" anyway. That's pretty small for a "full featured" laptop.
As an aside, I have used several Wintel subnotebooks, and just never liked the keyboard very much. The closest thing to a decent sub was the Sharp Actius/Moebius (Japanese model) - the keyboard wasn't totally obnoxious and the screen was sharp as hell.
It ran BeOS quite well too, which I was quite into at the time.
Alas, nothing quite touches Mac OS X and to pack that punch into a subnotebook would require quite a few cutbacks on the hardware side.
Then again, if someone is going to change the shape of technology, it will be Apple.
And even if there does exist 3lb. subnotebooks with everything onboard, it STILL ain't a Mac and I STILL ain't buying it.
If/when Apple does the "3lbs, but nothing left out!" model, THEN I'll show some interest in the whole "mini-lap" thing.
Here is how to do it without any sacrificing:
Eliminate the bezel around the screen. This means the machine needs to be more narrow and a little shorter. You can do this without making the keys any smaller if you get rid of the border at the side of the keyboard which is already small, and also if you cut the edges of the keys off, and maybe just maybe squeeze they keys all a little closer (eliminate the slopes on the sides of the keys perhhaps). Also get rid of more space at the back of the machine, and between the keyboard and trackpad and trackpad and edge. Make it a little thinner and lighter too. How they'll still fit everything in while simultaneously upgrading the specs with the SupaDrive ability still there, who knows. But if they do, I will buy. That would probably make it too expensive but it's just my dream. Oh yea and lighted keys! Where to fit the sensor?! Who knows, Apple engineers are the geniuses not me!
But what about a widescreen? Now we can cram the keyboard in! Profit!!!
I say if they build it, then many will come.
http://webshop.fujitsupc.com/fpc/Eco...n.do?series=P2
Fujitsu Lifebook P2120
Originally posted by yzedf
Apple would be WAY behind the times to do this:
http://webshop.fujitsupc.com/fpc/Eco...n.do?series=P2
Fujitsu Lifebook P2120
That is the one of the ugliest notebooks I've ever seen. Yuck!
Originally posted by Aquatic
They can and I sure as hell hope they do shrink the PowerBook 12". That would be the only thing that would make me trade mine for a few one.
Here is how to do it without any sacrificing:
Eliminate the bezel around the screen. This means the machine needs to be more narrow and a little shorter. You can do this without making the keys any smaller if you get rid of the border at the side of the keyboard which is already small, and also if you cut the edges of the keys off, and maybe just maybe squeeze they keys all a little closer (eliminate the slopes on the sides of the keys perhhaps). Also get rid of more space at the back of the machine, and between the keyboard and trackpad and trackpad and edge. Make it a little thinner and lighter too. How they'll still fit everything in while simultaneously upgrading the specs with the SupaDrive ability still there, who knows. But if they do, I will buy. That would probably make it too expensive but it's just my dream. Oh yea and lighted keys! Where to fit the sensor?! Who knows, Apple engineers are the geniuses not me!
Here is what the 10" Powerbook would look like next to the brutish 12" for comparison of size:
I love this little machine. At the time I bought it, I just wanted a 2nd computer until I buy a new 970 this fall. But this Mac is great. I was doing 3D animations for NASA on here earlier today and now I'm drinking a beer, watching kung-fu and using my AirPort. This computer is great. I'd hate to see any of the features disappear in favor of a smaller footprint.
Originally posted by Rhumgod
Here is what the 10" Powerbook would look like next to the brutish 12" for comparison of size:
What a fantastic concept, Rhumgod. I love it!
A guy on SpyMac did some nice wide-screen subnotebook concepts based on the 12-inch PowerBook as well. I've copied one of them below.
Escher
I have thought about subnotes and I think a fullfeatured one is worth the size tradeoff...anything else can be served by the future iPod with Crest White Strips? (if you saw that thread haha my apologies) or cell or PDA.
Originally posted by Aquatic
You need a trackpad and wristrests.
I've never used the "wristrests" on any of the 4 laptops I've owned and have never used them on any of the ergonomic keyboards I've had. You are correct in that if you are using a modern windowing OS like OSX you do need some sort of trackpad, mousestick, or other pointing device.