Apple plans ultra-portable PC

tektonnic · Jun 15, 2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

UNBEATLES FIRM Apple is expected to show off a new "ultra-portable PC" based around flash memory, small bits and bobs and some coloured plastic, at the January Macworld trade show in San Francisco.

The plan has been revealed by UBS Investment Research analyst Ben Reitzes who thinks he has managed to discover that Apple is working on ultra-portable PCs and notebooks equipped with NAND flash memory in order to speed up boot times.

According to Appleinsider, Apple's new chum, Intel plans to make the NAND flash drives and the idea is also being looked at by Microsoft.

Apparently, Apple thinks that its new portables could be the next iPod.

Reitzes adds that they should do quite well in the education sector, which is an Apple stronghold, he says. It's not here, though. Maybe where he lives

Source: http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=32427

Collin973 · Jun 15, 2006, 08:42 AM

Wow. If this is true, then EXCELLENT. I'd love to see an Ultra Portable computer made by Apple. I have an older Compaq Ipaq and the thing is great for lots of things. Also, this NAND ram sounds pretty sweet, allowing the computer to boot faster. Many computers today boot pretty quick (around 30 secs) compared to older computers. I turned on this old Windows 98 machine I have in my basement and it took at leas 3 minutes to boot completely. I hope this comes true!!

SpaceMagic · Jun 15, 2006, 09:01 AM

I'd buy one!!

make it as cheap as an ipod and i'll buy 3

CanadaRAM · Jun 15, 2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

flash memory, small bits and bobs and some coloured plastic... for education

eMate, Anyone?
Been there, done that, almost got the bankruptcy papers.

kevin.rivers · Jun 15, 2006, 09:10 AM

iPod Pro....

princealfie · Jun 15, 2006, 09:14 AM

Dang it, I want one now. I would want a dang Tablet Apple. iTABLET anybody?

tektonnic · Jun 15, 2006, 09:20 AM

I wonder whether it will be linked to in anyway the wind-up 'computers for every child in 3rd world' initiative the UN were pushing, i know they showed the thing as green etc. but that was going to use flash technology.

MisterMe · Jun 15, 2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tektonnic

I wonder whether it will be linked to in anyway the wind-up 'computers for every child in 3rd world' initiative the UN were pushing, i know they showed the thing as green etc. but that was going to use flash technology.

With 32 GB SATA flash drives going for $1000, the actual computers will be a little bit rich for their blood.

thejadedmonkey · Jun 15, 2006, 09:37 AM

I'm thinking (ok, hoping) that it'll be a 12" tablet for around (realistically) $1400-$1600. That would be killer for what I (think that I) need for college.

emotion · Jun 15, 2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaRAM

eMate, Anyone?
Been there, done that, almost got the bankruptcy papers.

Arguably the world wasn't ready for the emate or the Newton at that time. These devices didn't have much in the way of network connectivity and WiFi didn't exist then.

I think now more than any other time people would latch on to this. Something more computer like than a PDA but still a real OSX-based computer. All this based around the near ubiquitous availablity of wireless networks.

We live in interesting times

emotion · Jun 15, 2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I'm thinking (ok, hoping) that it'll be a 12" tablet for around (realistically) $1400-$1600. That would be killer for what I (think that I) need for college.

I think we're possibly talking about smaller devices than that (10.4" screens) and lower price points (£500).

I guess we'll see.

twistedlegato · Jun 15, 2006, 09:56 AM

this would be quite interesting to see a computer that used NAND...

lexus · 10:03 AM

I would get at least one, more if they were in colors. (I had to get 4 iPod mini's

)

emotion · Jun 15, 2006, 10:05 AM

Does anyone have a feel for read and write speeds of NAND flash memory. From a quick google it seems the read speed is more or less similar to a hd on an ATA bus. 108MB/s from here: http://www.samsung.com/Products/Semi...512_1024mb.htm

The write speed seems to be an order of magnitude less. This has some serious implications for using this in a machine that isn't a read only device (ok for ipod but not necessarily for a laptop).

Anyone?

brbubba · Jun 15, 2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I'm thinking (ok, hoping) that it'll be a 12" tablet for around (realistically) $1400-$1600. That would be killer for what I (think that I) need for college.

That would suck when I just bought the black macbook. I can't imagine a flash notebook coming in under 2k.

bbrosemer · Jun 15, 2006, 10:13 AM

There could still be a hard drive and the OS could be held on the Flash memory so you would only need 5-6 gb of memory for the OS... Can anyone say good idea...

DavidLeblond · Jun 15, 2006, 10:18 AM

I think Apple should definately do this. Look at what a huge success the Oragami is!

oh wait...

celebrian23 · Jun 15, 2006, 10:21 AM

I'm personally not interested- I don't like ultraportables. But it is still exciting. I hope it wil have an opitcal drive- most ultraportables don't.

emotion · Jun 15, 2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

I think Apple should definately do this. Look at what a huge success the Oragami is!

oh wait...

I've been watching the Origami with apple ultraportables in mind. All of the origami implementations I've seen so far have been extremely inelegant (to put it politely!).

Remember before the iPod came along the market for HD based mp3 players didn't really exist either.

erikamsterdam · Jun 15, 2006, 10:22 AM

I don't want to crash your party, but a computer based on NAND memory is not possible yet.
NAND memory has a limited amount of write cycles, it dies after that. It can not handle the load of temp files and swap files. The computer would have a very limited lifetime.

emotion · Jun 15, 2006, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celebrian23

I'm personally not interested- I don't like ultraportables. But it is still exciting. I hope it wil have an opitcal drive- most ultraportables don't.

That's exactly what the ultraportable doesn't need.

gloss · Jun 15, 2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikamsterdam

I don't want to crash your party, but a computer based on NAND memory is not possible yet.
NAND memory has a limited amount of write cycles, it dies after that. It can not handle the load of temp files and swap files. The computer would have a very limited lifetime.

And I'm sure that Samsung gave that a lot of thought when they designed the drives.

thumb · Jun 15, 2006, 10:27 AM

forget a pda style comptuer, or even a tablet, what apple needs is an ultra weight, well designed smaller laptop.

external cd drive (come one, how often do you use this), 3.5 lbs.

as for flash drive, i have to imagine we are talking about the hybrid flash/platter drives first, i can't imagine apple will be able to leapfrog these and go straight to flash if there is to be any amount of storage.

btw, these laptops well done i see as *more* expensive than the macbook, not less. and i for would be gladly pay it.

Yvan256 · 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterMe

With 32 GB SATA flash drives going for $1000, the actual computers will be a little bit rich for their blood.

Those 100$ computers only have 512MB of flash memory (probably directly connected to the IDE bus), not a 32GB SATA flash drive.

As for the size of an ultra-portable, I'd want something the size of a Nintendo DS Lite (maybe a bit taller so it's not so "widescreen" once opened).

celebrian23 · Jun 15, 2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emotion

That's exactly what the ultraportable doesn't need.

I guess I'm the rare person who uses their optical drive all the time

I'd still like one even if no one else does

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumb

btw, these laptops well done i see as *more* expensive than the macbook, not less. and i for would be gladly pay it.

Agreed. I tink these should fit a niche, and niche computers typically come with a premium.

Jun 15, 2006, 08:42 AM	#2
Collin973 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2006	Wow. If this is true, then EXCELLENT. I'd love to see an Ultra Portable computer made by Apple. I have an older Compaq Ipaq and the thing is great for lots of things. Also, this NAND ram sounds pretty sweet, allowing the computer to boot faster. Many computers today boot pretty quick (around 30 secs) compared to older computers. I turned on this old Windows 98 machine I have in my basement and it took at leas 3 minutes to boot completely. I hope this comes true!! __________________ MBP \| 2.16 \| 2 GB \| 160 GB Video Ipod \| 5G \| 30 GB WANT - Mac Desktop, maybe?

Jun 15, 2006, 09:01 AM	#3
SpaceMagic macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Munich, Germany	I'd buy one!! make it as cheap as an ipod and i'll buy 3 __________________ MacBook 2Ghz Core2Duo, 320GB HD, 3.3GB RAM + 24" LG LCD Interested in a bit of easy cooking? italsh.com

Jun 15, 2006, 09:14 AM	#6
princealfie macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salt Lake City UT	Dang it, I want one now. I would want a dang Tablet Apple. iTABLET anybody? __________________ www.qipeng.net http://www.artcat.com/event/view/6/9559

Jun 15, 2006, 09:20 AM	#7
tektonnic Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bucks, UK	I wonder whether it will be linked to in anyway the wind-up 'computers for every child in 3rd world' initiative the UN were pushing, i know they showed the thing as green etc. but that was going to use flash technology. __________________ giggity. imac 2.4ghz 20" 4gb RAM 10.5 + iphone 8gb 3G + ipod 30 gb 4gen + 900mhz not at all functioning ibook

Jun 15, 2006, 09:37 AM	#9
thejadedmonkey macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pa	I'm thinking (ok, hoping) that it'll be a 12" tablet for around (realistically) $1400-$1600. That would be killer for what I (think that I) need for college. __________________ Mac Mini G4 • MacBook Pro • iPod Nano "Good judgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement." - Mulla Nasrudin

Jun 15, 2006, 09:10 AM	#5
kevin.rivers Banned Join Date: Dec 2005	iPod Pro....

Jun 15, 2006, 09:56 AM	#12
twistedlegato macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2006	this would be quite interesting to see a computer that used NAND... __________________ Out of the Frying Pan, into the Fire

Jun 15, 2006, 09:57 AM	#13
lexus macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Depends Greatly On The Weather	I would get at least one, more if they were in colors. (I had to get 4 iPod mini's ) __________________ Why? Last edited by lexus : Jun 15, 2006 at 10:03 AM.

Jun 15, 2006, 10:05 AM	#14
emotion macrumors 68030 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Manchester, UK	Does anyone have a feel for read and write speeds of NAND flash memory. From a quick google it seems the read speed is more or less similar to a hd on an ATA bus. 108MB/s from here: http://www.samsung.com/Products/Semi...512_1024mb.htm The write speed seems to be an order of magnitude less. This has some serious implications for using this in a machine that isn't a read only device (ok for ipod but not necessarily for a laptop). Anyone?

Jun 15, 2006, 10:13 AM	#16
bbrosemer macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2006	There could still be a hard drive and the OS could be held on the Flash memory so you would only need 5-6 gb of memory for the OS... Can anyone say good idea... __________________ Can't we all just get along and where Windows and Mac can coexist, ... O wait we already have, thanks Apple

Jun 15, 2006, 10:18 AM	#17
DavidLeblond macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC	I think Apple should definately do this. Look at what a huge success the Oragami is! oh wait... __________________ www.davidleblond.com Try my new iPhone game, Claustrophobia!

Jun 15, 2006, 10:21 AM	#18
celebrian23 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Under the sun	I'm personally not interested- I don't like ultraportables. But it is still exciting. I hope it wil have an opitcal drive- most ultraportables don't. __________________ C'est la vie !

Jun 15, 2006, 10:22 AM	#20
erikamsterdam macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: amsterdam	I don't want to crash your party, but a computer based on NAND memory is not possible yet. NAND memory has a limited amount of write cycles, it dies after that. It can not handle the load of temp files and swap files. The computer would have a very limited lifetime.

Jun 15, 2006, 10:27 AM	#23
thumb macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2005	forget a pda style comptuer, or even a tablet, what apple needs is an ultra weight, well designed smaller laptop. external cd drive (come one, how often do you use this), 3.5 lbs. as for flash drive, i have to imagine we are talking about the hybrid flash/platter drives first, i can't imagine apple will be able to leapfrog these and go straight to flash if there is to be any amount of storage. btw, these laptops well done i see as more expensive than the macbook, not less. and i for would be gladly pay it.

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