Feasibility of Touch Screen Apple Notebooks

[MacRumors]

Businessweek explores the possibility of Apple introducing some sort of touchscreen laptop in the near future. While most of the article rehashes circulating rumors, the author did get some insight from iSuppli analysts regarding the feasibility of introducing a multi-touch screen into a future Apple laptop.

According to the analysts, adding a multi-touch screen onto a MacBook Pro would add 50-80% to the cost of the existing screen and would likely make it too expensive. However, introducing a multi-touch screen into a 9 inch screen would be a "relatively easy leap from a cost perspective".

Given this, the author speculates that a small (9" or so) inexpensive (sub $800) multi-touch notebook is a more likely possibility than a full-size multi-touch notebook.

Article Link

[Eidorian]

Touch is still a smaller screen endeavor. This brings up a lot of tablet like devices but not really full blown laptops per se.

[amac4me]

I say the earliest we'll see something related to a 'Touch' Mac would be at Macworld 2009

[forafireescape]

Laptops aren't meant to be touch in my opinion. If you want a touch screen, get an iPod Touch or an iPhone. Laptops are for real typing...keyboard typing.

Maybe I just need to get with the times

[Bob Knob]

And a 2" touch screen would be even more finically feasible than a 9", therefor a small 2" inexpensive (sub $700) multi-touch notebook is a more likely possibility than a 9" multi-touch notebook.

[gkarris]

Originally Posted by forafireescape

Laptops aren't meant to be touch in my opinion. If you want a touch screen, get an iPod Touch or an iPhone. Laptops are for real typing...keyboard typing.

Maybe I just need to get with the times

Fujitsu already has them. Not really hot sellers, neither is the TabletPC.

Apple will probably go with a full Tablet, as Apple seems to be the only one with that can pull off something like that.

[iMichael72]

I'd be interested in this. Not solely for the Touch Screen aspect, but for a smaller notebook.
I have no desire to carry around a 15"-17" laptop.

This would be great.

[Apple Ink]

Newton 2 anyone?

[iOrlando]

touch screen laptop...hmmm I think I would start to feel like I am working at the McDonalds drive through taking your order. Pressing all these different buttons and such.

All-in-all..dont see a huge need for this now...Laptops selling just fine as is.

Maybe 2009...

[shiseiryu1]

This will be a great idea if you can take plug/slide the tablet into a full-sized monitor (just like their Patent Application). Basically a docking station that looks like the current 20/24" iMac. That way, when you're on the go you have something small but while you're at home it feels like you're working on a normal mac...that kind of killer integration is something that Apple is well positioned to do I think.

[twoodcc]

well, i think a smaller device would be nice. and if it could run iphone apps as well

[prady16]

9" Tablet
1.6GHz Atom
2GB RAM
3+ USB ports
Dockin station
Leopard
Ethernet, Wifi a/g/n, Bluetooth, HSDPA, GPS
Sexy Apple Body

$700

I am sold
Would be a dream come true...

[iMacmatician]

This just reinforces the statement that Macs aren't going to be touchscreen. Touchscreen in the short and medium term is to be limited to devices like the iPod, iPhone, and the rumored mini-tablet, all running a form of the iPhone OS.

Mac OS X: 12"+ displays, notebooks, desktops

iPhone OS: 9"- displays, mini-tablets, iPhones, iPods

The touchscreen "mini-Mac" with 32 GB flash memory seems more suited as an upscaled and modified iPod touch rather than a downscaled Mac.

[smootling]

I hate this stupid Macbook Touch rumor. Not only do I think it's a bad idea, but it distracts us from what should be our real priority: macbook refreshes in time for the back-to-school crowd!

[FuuFuu]

not going to buy a touch pad until they're capable of handling my awesome keyboarding skills(multi touch). which will be quite a while

[thecartoonguy]

Originally Posted by gkarris

Fujitsu already has them. Not really hot sellers, neither is the TabletPC.

Apple will probably go with a full Tablet, as Apple seems to be the only one with that can pull off something like that.

I seem to remember one by Toshiba, which got so hot it was worthless to use until it cooled down.

[aprilfools]

More and more Apple is making things smaller. Screens included. This does not help us over 40 types in the least. As you get older, it is difficult to read small screens on all your gadgets (iPods, iPhone etc..) It is very clear to me that Apple is more interested in the youth market. Eyes are newer and can easily read all this over hyped microscopic coolness. I am losing major faith in Apple and I have been a mac evangelst since 1988. Sorry Apple. More people in the world than just kids.

[Doubletough]

I'm six inches from ditching my laptop. (9" rumor minus the 3" iphone)

[gkarris]

Originally Posted by thecartoonguy

I seem to remember one by Toshiba, which got so hot it was worthless to use until it cooled down.

Some of the Panasonics are like that too. I saw a guy at a coffee shop using it (but it needed a stylus).

I think it would be faster with a touchpad or mouse....

[Nicky G]

If Apple released something like a 9" multitouch tablet or netbook, and it had a reasonable processor, one or two usb, 802.11b/g/n, GPS, and maybe even something like an HSDPA radio, I would grab one in a heartbeat for $800 to $1000 dollars, no questions.

Many people don't realize what utility such a machine has, but I can tell you:

Sitting in a business meeting and typing notes on a laptop is HORRIBLE, I feel like my clients see me as "hiding" behind the screen -- it really separates me from the meeting, even if I am absolutely present.

However, a tablet is more akin to a notepad, and if it is lying on the table, it doesn't serve as a separator that kind of breaks eye contact with my clients and myself. That is VERY important to me. If it also surfs web (which of course it would) and does email, etc. then yes, I would nab one of these in a heartbeat.

FYI my iPhone can KIND of do this to a degree, but is a little too small IMHO to have sitting on the table and for me to use the keyboard to enter notes. 8" or 9" screen however would be perfecto!

I could see Apple doing a UMPC killer -- just like they released an MP# player-killer and smart phone-killer. They don't have to create a new market, they just have to perfect what's already there, and get it right, and very compelling, at the right price.

[27ray]

let's think about this, a full size screen is to much money, and who would want to touch a laptop screen anyway since it would move every time you did, and think of the smudges...

A glass track pad in interesting but what good is it.... yes you can zoom photos and stuff with your fingers but is this really helpful, beyond the way you can do it now with a standard track pad...

I have 2 ideas and one i would put money on...

1 a 2 sided LCD screen on a backbook air class laptop, with a touch screen on the outside of the closed screen, ala a tablet with out the silly twisting thing for when you need a laptop to type etc.... Perdiction this is down the line

2. a macbook (and pro) with a normal track pad and on the OUTSIDE a glass touch screen aout the size of an iphone/iPod Touch, oh and you could run iPhone/iPod touch app on it... WITHOUT opening your macbook up and powering it up, e-mail, AIM, little games and all the other crap I have on my iPhone is accessible right from the outside of my laptop for when a quick glance, or replay or game or what ever is required. (oh and now apple would add about 2 million extra places to run iPhone/iPod touch apps, as well as making their laptop that much more attractive, AND functional in a real world way.

if apple doesn't to number 2 i will be very surprised (and DISAPPOINTED)

[mac jones]

Yawn


this is getting silly

[Stike]

Introducing the iPod Touch Maxi :-P ;-)

[Nicky G]

Originally Posted by aprilfools

More and more Apple is making things smaller. Screens included. This does not help us over 40 types in the least. As you get older, it is difficult to read small screens on all your gadgets (iPods, iPhone etc..) It is very clear to me that Apple is more interested in the youth market. Eyes are newer and can easily read all this over hyped microscopic coolness. I am losing major faith in Apple and I have been a mac evangelst since 1988. Sorry Apple. More people in the world than just kids.

I guess the 15" and MacBook Pro just, uh, don't exist if you're over 40? That really stinks, I'm thirty now and really don't want to have all of Apple's larger portable systems to just disappear into thin air in another 10 years! Total bummer man.

[sam10685]

I want a laptop... something with a bigger screen. But i'll probably buy this just because it's there. As long as it's sub-$1000.