Apple filing proposes iMac-like notebook docking station
A quick-and-dirty patent filing on the behalf of Apple Inc. proposes a new notebook docking station modeled after its all-in-one iMac desktop computer, where a notebook computer would be inserted into the side of the iMac-like chassis, essentially morphing it into a streamlined desktop system while docked.
Traditionally, notebook docking stations require a separate external monitor to be connected to the docking station when a display other than the integrated display of the notebook computer is desired to be used with the docking station. However, this concept requires a significant amount of desk space for placement of the docking station and separate display, Apple wrote in the filing, adding that attempts by third parties have been made address the issue by allowing the external display to be stacked on top of the docking station.
"However, the stacked combination still occupies a large amount of space and is cumbersome to move and transport," the company said. "Therefore there exists a need for a docking station and display combination that is configured in a more efficient form."
Apple's solution essentially calls for a hollow iMac chassis which retains its display and I/O connectors. The housing would include an internal docking area configured to receive a notebook and an LCD screen configured to display images rendered by that notebook when inserted into the docking cavity.
In some instances, the Mac maker said the docking cavity would completely consume the notebook, leaving the portable computer visible only through the recess on the right side of the iMac docking station. In other instances, however, a portion of a larger-sized notebook may protrude beyond the the opening of the docking cavity.
The filing, which is credit to Apple engineer Augustin Farrugia, was originally made on July 3, 2006 and published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the first time on Thursday.
Traditionally, notebook docking stations require a separate external monitor to be connected to the docking station when a display other than the integrated display of the notebook computer is desired to be used with the docking station. However, this concept requires a significant amount of desk space for placement of the docking station and separate display, Apple wrote in the filing, adding that attempts by third parties have been made address the issue by allowing the external display to be stacked on top of the docking station.
"However, the stacked combination still occupies a large amount of space and is cumbersome to move and transport," the company said. "Therefore there exists a need for a docking station and display combination that is configured in a more efficient form."
Apple's solution essentially calls for a hollow iMac chassis which retains its display and I/O connectors. The housing would include an internal docking area configured to receive a notebook and an LCD screen configured to display images rendered by that notebook when inserted into the docking cavity.
In some instances, the Mac maker said the docking cavity would completely consume the notebook, leaving the portable computer visible only through the recess on the right side of the iMac docking station. In other instances, however, a portion of a larger-sized notebook may protrude beyond the the opening of the docking cavity.
The filing, which is credit to Apple engineer Augustin Farrugia, was originally made on July 3, 2006 and published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the first time on Thursday.
Comments
but for a laptop. And to dock it, you would dock it while it was open to utilize the built-in screen alone, or with a screen+external screen combo.
Didn't apple do this before with the PowerBook Duo and the Duo Dock? See here It seemed a fairly good idea the first time and this would be a great way to adapt the "ultra portable" to a home computer when you wanted to dock it or use a larger monitor.
The older dock had many more features than this one:
1- You could add the cheaper standard memory in the dock. Allowing you to use both memories simultaneously.
2- You could add a "math co-processor" that would make the device much faster when docked. They are be able to add a place for a secondary processor that would allow the computer to function as a dual when docked.
3- Two PCI slots for video cards and/or network cards. You could have dual monitors when docked.
The original dock seems much more useful than this imac dock.
Kinda weird. And it makes the internal screen of the laptop useless when docked.
Usually when users want to dock a laptop, it is because they have a larger screen on their desk than the laptop.
And a "sub notebook" would have a SMALLER screen than your typical laptop.
This design makes perfect sense.
I am not sure I like the iMac looking screen dock. I would prefer monitors be separate so I can have two big ones and the dock be a tower like or small cube like box that the portable slides into.
tj
The older dock had many more features than this one:
1- You could add the cheaper standard memory in the dock. Allowing you to use both memories simultaneously.
2- You could add a "math co-processor" that would make the device much faster when docked. They are be able to add a place for a secondary processor that would allow the computer to function as a dual when docked.
3- Two PCI slots for video cards and/or network cards. You could have dual monitors when docked.
The original dock seems much more useful than this imac dock.
1- Today's MacBooks and iMacs use the same type of memory.
2- Today's MacBooks and iMacs use the same type of processor (with the exception of the Extreme option on the 24" iMac
3- Today's MacBooks and iMacs support dual displays and have built-in Ethernet and AirPort
So most of those DuoDock features are obsolete or not present in anything less than the Mac Pro today anyway.
I think a Mac (with it's great support for configuration changing) would make a much better dockable machine than a Windows box, but this dock seems overbearing to me. I already *have* monitors I like, why buy more?
Still, having a dock might get me to actually buy a MacBook. (Actually, not until it's up to date in Java, since that's my day job, but a lot closer.)
Perhaps the iMac will become this? A desktop, a laptop and a tablet all in one
A desktop... a laptop... a tablet... but wait!... these are all one thing! (crowd goes nuts)
I love those iMac drawings.
I wonder where those came from, because they don't follow the conventions required by the patent office. They would be rejected.
A desktop... a laptop... a tablet... but wait!... these are all one thing! (crowd goes nuts)
It slices, it dices, it juilienes.