Powerbook Ultraportable?
What are the prospects for Apple producing a sub-3 lb. notebook in the near future?
I'm a student who commutes 10 miles by bike every day and I have to carry my computer on my back most of the time. I currently have a Dell Inspiron 2100 ultraslim notebook that's on its last legs (the hinges for the screen are falling apart!) Weight is the primary concern for me, and I'm looking for another ultralight notebook for my next machine.
I really want to switch back to Mac (I owned a IIsi and PB5300 in the good 'ol days and I'm growing tired of waiting for Windows to restart after crashing), but the weight of Apple's current notebooks has me looking at the IBM ThinkPad X40, and Sony Vaio, both of which hover around 3 lbs.
Has anyone heard anything?
I'm a student who commutes 10 miles by bike every day and I have to carry my computer on my back most of the time. I currently have a Dell Inspiron 2100 ultraslim notebook that's on its last legs (the hinges for the screen are falling apart!) Weight is the primary concern for me, and I'm looking for another ultralight notebook for my next machine.
I really want to switch back to Mac (I owned a IIsi and PB5300 in the good 'ol days and I'm growing tired of waiting for Windows to restart after crashing), but the weight of Apple's current notebooks has me looking at the IBM ThinkPad X40, and Sony Vaio, both of which hover around 3 lbs.
Has anyone heard anything?
Comments
Do the right thing and get an iBook that was designed to be abused the way you are abusing your laptop
Originally posted by tlee650
the IBM ThinkPad X40, and Sony Vaio, both of which hover around 3 lbs.
The Powerbook 12" is 4.6 lbs. I'd say an extra weight of 1.6 lbs or so is worth it given you're getting a fully equipped laptop.
Originally posted by NOFEER
so how does ibm do the x40 is a slot load thicker than a tray load
It doesn't. To use an optical on the X40 would require an external solution or a docking station.
Apple's PowerBooks are probably the best (size/weight/price/performance/features) in the market as far as fully featured laptops are concerned.
IMO however, Apple should seriously consider a 10" and 12" ultraportable that has FW800, USB, modem and Ethernet but excludes the built-in optical. There are a huge number of people on the move with their computer and size/weight are more important than having the optical. These potential customers probably have a desktop - having an excellent sync solution (through FW800) with a 10 and 12" ultraportable is a slam dunk.
BTW: In addition to a 15" PB, I have the X30, a predecessor to the X40 - it is a great machine and something Apple should use as a benchmark when building the Apple PalmBook
Not worth it if you ask me. Kinda cool though.
_thedustin
edit: oh yeah, it does not run OSX. That is why I don't want it,
I think going below that, at least today, would mean it would not be a fully featured notebook anymore.
Apple has the Mid-sized notbook market covered with its current iBook and Powerbook lines, what they really need to do is add a compact (3-4 pounds) for people who want the portability, and a full-sized (7-10 pounds) for those who need more powerful portables (Apple should stay out of the under 3 and over 10 pounds markets for now -- the demand just is not there).
If Apple wants to keep it market share, much less expand it, they need to give the buyers what they want, and that means adding one or two new models to their portable lineup.
I'm pretty sure that they will add something smaller to the lineup sometime in the future, but who knows when?
Originally posted by Res
If Apple wants to keep it market share, much less expand it, they need to give the buyers what they want, and that means adding one or two new models to their portable lineup.
There's one little problem with your statement: It assumes that Apple's portable sales are stagnant. They aren't. They're strong and getting stronger.
I'm pretty sure that they will add something smaller to the lineup sometime in the future, but who knows when?
When they can offer a full featured notebook that appeals to enough people. Subnotes are a small niche.
If Apple releases a smaller notebook, it'll be a 12" PowerBook that's only one inch thick.
As one poster said above.."exercise is good"
I just don't think you can design much longevity in a sub notebook. Maybe Apple hits this market someday depending on processor and other components but I'd doubt that the market is that huge for people needing sub 5lb notebooks.
Originally posted by hmurchison
I'm sorry but if 5lbs is heavy to you..you're quite possibly a wimp.
As one poster said above.."exercise is good"
I just don't think you can design much longevity in a sub notebook. Maybe Apple hits this market someday depending on processor and other components but I'd doubt that the market is that huge for people needing sub 5lb notebooks.
LOL -- "wimps" --that's what I keep thinking when I say want a 7-10 pound desktop replacement bowerbook and half the people in the forum go into histrionics about the weight.
Originally posted by Res
LOL -- "wimps" --that's what I keep thinking when I say want a 7-10 pound desktop replacement bowerbook and half the people in the forum go into histrionics about the weight.
They just don't know what a strapping lad you are Res. Honestly though I can understand the desire to carry as least weight as possible. Every person has to decide how much of an inconvenience their portables truly are. Although I wouldn't be kicking Lapzilla out of bed anytime soon.
Originally posted by earthtoandy
5 pounds is around the limit. carrying it around all the time is no fun.. especially when you have other things to carry and have back problems. I want a computer that is portable... not a freakin desktop[. i have that at home
Maybe if you have back problems... If all that's in my backpack is my 4.9 lb iBook, it feels empty. I usually throw a nice thick stack of papers and folders in there just to add some bulk. I mean, the empty backpack and sleeve (Waterford) together probably weigh as much as the computer. I guess people have commented that the computer feels heavier than it looks. But that's because it's solid - any weight loss would likely trade off with durability, as was mentioned, which is not good for a computer that rides in a backpack every day. To each his own, I guess.
Originally posted by hmurchison
I'm sorry but if 5lbs is heavy to you..you're quite possibly a wimp.
As one poster said above.."exercise is good"
I just don't think you can design much longevity in a sub notebook. Maybe Apple hits this market someday depending on processor and other components but I'd doubt that the market is that huge for people needing sub 5lb notebooks.
To be quite frank, I can't really tell the difference between 4 and 5 pounds, and the differnce between 3 and 5 pounds is unremarkable at that. A 3 pound notebook will be slower, have a smaller screen, no optical drive, and it will cost more. subnotebooks are no good unless you spend most of your time on a desktop, because, truly, they are too small to use for any serious.
Laptops are likewise the same sort of issue, the weight may never be a problem when taken alone, but in combo with alot of other things every little once adds up. For some the lighter machines offer all the utility they need for the majority of their portable work. Some times less truely is more.
Thanks
Dave
Originally posted by hmurchison
They just don't know what a strapping lad you are Res. Honestly though I can understand the desire to carry as least weight as possible. Every person has to decide how much of an inconvenience their portables truly are. Although I wouldn't be kicking Lapzilla out of bed anytime soon.