Is there anything more shameful than the "ultrabooks?"

[neiltc13]

Originally Posted by GKDAIR

I can tell you have nothing to say because this entire post is just insulting me.

These "Ultrabooks" use the same style finish as the macbook air, they use the same chic-lit style keyboard in the same style as found on the macbook air, Instead of an apple on the back its "SAMSUNG" or "HP", The ports are located in the same spots and look exactly the same, the SD card slot is in the same location, the weight and height is in the same location, etc.

Here's a photo of the Sony Vaio X505 - released in 2005:



I guess Apple needs to stop using "the same chic-lit style keyboard in the same style as found on" the Sony Vaio X505.

[belvdr]

Originally Posted by GKDAIR

I can tell you have nothing to say because this entire post is just insulting me.

These "Ultrabooks" use the same style finish as the macbook air, they use the same chic-lit style keyboard in the same style as found on the macbook air, Instead of an apple on the back its "SAMSUNG" or "HP", The ports are located in the same spots and look exactly the same, the SD card slot is in the same location, the weight and height is in the same location, etc.

Not all Ultrabooks look like the current MBA. Do some research and stop generalizing.

[QuarterSwede]

I'll agree with the OP on one thing. These new Ultrabooks (touted on TV) do look like exact duplicates of the MacBook Air. At the very least, the one I've seen does.

[Dagless]

Originally Posted by GKDAIR

Samsung makes up some of the body parts that make a Macbook air but you don't see me calling it a Samsung air.

Same thing with windows machines, they have different companies but they still use the Windows software, thus they are Microsoft machines. These Ultrabooks are made by different companies like you said, but they all have the same operating system. Macs are made by different companies but we still say they are apple computers.

You actually have no idea about anything! This is quite amazing, keep going!

----------

Originally Posted by neiltc13

Here's a photo of the Sony Vaio X505 - released in 2005:

Image

I guess Apple needs to stop using "the same chic-lit style keyboard in the same style as found on" the Sony Vaio X505.

End of thread .
Wasn't there a a device released before an iPad called "scratch book" or something, that the iPad copied?

[maflynn]

Originally Posted by GKDAIR

I couldn't believe Microsoft had sunk this low. Talk about ripping off.

Actually MS supplies the OS, its the companies like Dell, HP, ASUS that create the hardware and as noted Apple copied sony, so you'll have to throw apple under the bus as well, if you want to criticize a company for copying

[east85]

The Zenbook is the only -obvious- air knockoff I can think of, even the keyboard layout is pretty much exactly the same. I don't care for it or see the appeal of carrying a knockoff though.

[0dev]

Those "ultrabooks" are actually quite terrible, from what I hear. Apparently they overheat a lot and you can fix that by underclocking... And these often cost the same or more than the MBA.

But yeah, not Microsoft's fault at all.

[smoledman]

Originally Posted by 0dev

Those "ultrabooks" are actually quite terrible, from what I hear. Apparently they overheat a lot and you can fix that by underclocking... And these often cost the same or more than the MBA.

But yeah, not Microsoft's fault at all.

The problems with Ultrabooks highlight the issues of trying to integrate Windows with different hardware configurations. MBAs are so good partly because OS X is finely tuned to essentially no more then 2 hardware architectures. x86 as used on Macbooks/iMac/Mac mini and the Xeon-based Mac Pros. Contrast that with Windows which has to work on 1000 different architectures.

[ChazUK]

I'm surprised to see someone blaming Microsoft for the Ultrabook.

You can thank (or blame) Intel for all the Ultrabook innovations that we're seeing now.

[smoledman]

Originally Posted by ChazUK

I'm surprised to see someone blaming Microsoft for the Ultrabook.

You can thank (or blame) Intel for all the Ultrabook innovations that we're seeing now.

Obviously ultrabooks are MBA knockoffs and I'm expecting the lawsuit any day now, or does Apple only sue against something that's making money?

[donga]

point of clarification:

microsoft is not to "blame" in this case, it's the individual manufacturers copying the MBA design, if you want to hold anyone accountable.


if you do a little research, you'll find that apple is unique in that it controls the hardware and software. windows machines may run the microsoft OS, but does not control the hardware it gets placed on.

[MacDawg]

I rather like the Ultrabooks, not that I have one or would get one
But if I had to use a Windows box, I would prefer one that was as Mac-like as possible in design

I currently use my MBA and run Win7 in VMware for a few things for work
When the time comes my job forces me to travel with my Dell, I will opt for an Ultrabook

[maflynn]

Originally Posted by ChazUK

You can thank (or blame) Intel for all the Ultrabook innovations that we're seeing now.

I think Intel saw a potential revenue stream/market sector and is trying to tap it. This is particular useful for them since the netbook fad faded, either done in by the iPad to some degree or people tired of such a slow computer.

[belvdr]

Originally Posted by east85

The Zenbook is the only -obvious- air knockoff I can think of, even the keyboard layout is pretty much exactly the same. I don't care for it or see the appeal of carrying a knockoff though.

So you buy a laptop for making yourself look better instead of getting something done. Got it.

Originally Posted by smoledman

Obviously ultrabooks are MBA knockoffs and I'm expecting the lawsuit any day now, or does Apple only sue against something that's making money?

Why do you generalize like that when it's far from the truth? How does the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s, an ultrabook, compare to the MBA from a design standpoint?

[entatlrg]

Originally Posted by *LTD*

It isn't MS, it's the OEMs of the industry.

They're out of ideas, have been for years now, and are using Apple as their collective R&D dept.

Apple shows the way forward and the others follow. Been this way for a while now. Just laugh about it and enjoy your MBA. It's a superior machine in every way, anyway. No current "ultra book" even touches it. Part of the reason the industry at large can't get these ultrabooks to move if their life depended on it, and meanwhile Apple sells MBAs like crazy.

It all started here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXh2RMHLm7E

People thought Apple was crazy - no internal drive, etc.

Yeah . . . crazy like a fox.

Well said.

Freaking knock off products make me sick. Gutless, ballless and unable to innovate on their own Dell, Asus, HP prove their inabilities by knocking off original well designed products.

Must be easy to be a designer there ... just sit back, wait for the product to become popular then reverse engineer it and tout it like its their own original - pathetic. They'll never will get my computer buying money.

Steve would be pissed. I hope Apple could sue them based on their design patents but maybe not.

[Charcoalwerks]

I look at it like this, and I may be historically inaccurate....

1.Mustang \

2.Camaro = all 3= "Ponycar" = Freedom of choice= USA= luvit 'er' leevit!


3.Challenger /

[belvdr]

Originally Posted by Charcoalwerks

I look at it like this, and I may be historically inaccurate....

1.Mustang \

2.Camaro =all= "Ponycar" = Freedom of choice= USA= luvit 'er' leevit!


3.Challenger /

I don't get it. Why do people think computers are analogous to cars? I don't even understand what you're trying to say otherwise.

Originally Posted by entatlrg

Well said.

Freaking knock off products make me sick. Gutless, ballless and unable to innovate on their own Dell, Asus, HP prove their inabilities by knocking off original well designed products.

Must be easy to be a designer there ... just sit back, wait for the product to become popular then reverse engineer it and tout it like its their own original - pathetic. They'll never will get my computer buying money.

Steve would be pissed. I hope Apple could sue them based on their design patents but maybe not.

The HP ProBook, EliteBook, Integrity, and ProLiant servers are design knockoffs too, right? What HP product is a knockoff of Apple?

And it's been said before, Sony was first to the game, so why would Steve be so upset that someone uses Sony's idea?

[throAU]

Nothing to do with Microsoft.

I doubt Microsoft much care whether or not you run Windows on a PC or a mac.

And, office is their cash cow anyway (makes a lot more than Windows does from memory), so if Apple take over they'll simply shift their focus to Office for Mac instead.

Microsoft is a software company. These ultrabooks have nothing to do with them. If you want to take random "not-really-justified" pot shots at assigning blame, blame intel, they've had more to do with the ultrabook market than Microsoft have.

[Zombie Acorn]

When flat screens with beveled corners are considered design innovations I guess everything could be seen as a knockoff. Seen a row of laptops lately? They all look about the same, probably because they are made up of a keyboard, screen, and a few ports.

[noteple]

You don't realize how quickly you can ruin a brilliant industrial design until you see some of these MBA and MDP knockoffs.

Wobbly cases, lack luster displays, junk keyboards, wacky cable management, hot-spots, and noise.

All in the name of copy-cat cost reduction.

Reminds me when they took out the batteries and tacked on a two pound paper towel roll of cells on the back.

[yg17]

Originally Posted by GKDAIR

I couldn't believe Microsoft had sunk this low. Talk about ripping off.

I assume you created a thread about how low Apple has sunk when they completely ripped off Android's notification system, right?

[smoledman]

Originally Posted by yg17

I assume you created a thread about how low Apple has sunk when they completely ripped off Android's notification system, right?

There is a HUGE difference between ripping off a hardware design and ripping off the notification center. Like orders of magnitude difference. Apple steals small, other companies commit grand larceny.

[KnightWRX]

Originally Posted by noteple

Wobbly cases, lack luster displays, [...] wacky cable management, [...] and noise.

Sounds like they replicated the MBA perfectly to me! (yes, those are all problems the current MBA design faced or currently faces, see the Macbook Air forum for details).

[JoeG4]

Originally Posted by smoledman

You have to admit it's one thing for Apple to develop a 1 trackpad algorithm for 1 hardware implementation, compared to dozens of different hardware on Windows. Another example of how full vertical integration increases quality. It's not that there's a huge secret to Apple's success, it's that they had the in-house talent to pull it all off.

It's not like every Windows computer is a completely different animal. Intel and AMD make reference boards and a lot of manufacturers use related platforms. The ultrabook is a rather good example of this (where most ultrabooks are almost identical), and lots of computers built to run Windows have similar chipsets because of that. Sure, there are lots of chipsets, but they are commo enough.

If Synaptics made better a better trackpad driver it would probably end up in a hell of a lot of PC laptops within a few months. It's not really a case of unique engineering as it is laziness and wanting nothing more than profit

Apple isn't quite that lazy, although they're definitely about profit too. They still have a habit of not quite getting things right (hehe, we could talk about those loose screws on the MBAs )

[smoledman]

Originally Posted by JoeG4

It's not like every Windows computer is a completely different animal. Intel and AMD make reference boards and a lot of manufacturers use related platforms. The ultrabook is a rather good example of this (where most ultrabooks are almost identical), and lots of computers built to run Windows have similar chipsets because of that. Sure, there are lots of chipsets, but they are commo enough.

If Synaptics made better a better trackpad driver it would probably end up in a hell of a lot of PC laptops within a few months. It's not really a case of unique engineering as it is laziness and wanting nothing more than profit

Apple isn't quite that lazy, although they're definitely about profit too. They still have a habit of not quite getting things right (hehe, we could talk about those loose screws on the MBAs )

Difference is Apple knows if you get it right the first time, profits will follow. Apple has always operated on that basis.