iPad Pro

[macduke]

I can see Apple introducing something like this in the coming years.

Basic features:

- Full OS X when docked
- iPhone OS when in tablet mode
- Detachable keyboard base with Intel processor, extra battery, SSD and USB

Quick! Somebody patent this.

Did a quick Photoshop and typography job for kicks and giggles:

[miles01110]

Originality: 5
Humor: 8

[anthonymoody]

In the latest post on my blog I speculated about future Apple hardware and software.

The short version is that I think iOS and Mac OSX as we know them will more or less converge down the line, with a resulting experience that will feel more like an iPad than a current Mac OSX-based laptop.

On the hardware size, I believe that iPads will more or less replace laptops as we know them...and sooner than most think.

[admanimal]

Originally Posted by macduke

I can see Apple introducing something like this in the coming years.

Basic features:

- Full OS X when docked
- iPhone OS when in tablet mode
- Detachable keyboard base with Intel processor, extra battery, SSD and USB

Likelihood of becoming a reality: 0

[vini-vidi-vici]

I like this idea, and was wondering if they'd consider it... The iPad in this case would need a lot better resolution to make it a viable laptop.

One problem that often occurs with products that try to be more than one thing at once is that they're worse at both things individually. If Apple could really "get it right", I think this would be super. I'm sure somebody somewhere has proposed an idea like this within Apple, but who knows if there are technical/design/marketing issues that make it unattractive.

[Night Spring]

Lenovo already has one:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/l...d-impressions/

[jedolley]

Originally Posted by anthonymoody

In the latest post on my blog I speculated about future Apple hardware and software.

The short version is that I think iOS and Mac OSX as we know them will more or less converge down the line, with a resulting experience that will feel more like an iPad than a current Mac OSX-based laptop.

On the hardware size, I believe that iPads will more or less replace laptops as we know them...and sooner than most think.

I respect your idea, but in reality I think we are far from having tablet like computers replace laptops.

Computers (PCs and Macs) themselves have not changed that much over the years. I think laptops will soon replace desktops in most households but we aren't even there yet. Until laptops replace desktops, I doubt you'll see tablets replacing laptops.

Also, I think there will be a line between mobile OS and desktop OS. I won't say forever or always, but I think it'll be awhile before you see Apple try to "converge" them.

[thejadedmonkey]

I'd consider buying that. $1000, with current gen MB specs, yes please.

[yyy]

I don't think its a good idea because the need to switch between operating systems totally ruins the experience, not to mention the higher cost if you use 2 different sets of hardware for the computer and the tablet.

If you really want to enjoy the best of both worlds you need 2 touch screens built on a laptop, like this:



It may be used as a tablet if you rotate both screens back to back and work with only one of them. Besides, Mac OS X is the future of Mac computers, not iPhone OS.

[admanimal]

Originally Posted by yyy

I don't think its a good idea because the need to switch between operating systems totally ruins the experience

This is why Apple would never do it the way that the OP described (and the whole detachable keyboard base thing). There is a better chance that the two OS's will just share more features and/or converge back into one OS eventually in some form or another.

[macduke]

The main reason I chose two hardware combinations is because A.) iPad OS won't run on Intel and the inverse is also true, and B.) Apple had a patent for an iMac that you could dock your Macbook into the side of that had additional processors, video cards, storage, etc to make it into a more powerful system when docked.

I do agree that the two OS will eventually converge. But the chip architectures would also have to converge. Though it does seem more and more likely every day that Apple is moving away from Intel.

[Alchematron]

Power Tablet sounds better to me

Detachable base very cool

[LadyHoneyBabe]

Maybe iPad Air for the name because it reminds me of the MB Air. Anyway, I thought the whole point of having the iPad was to get away from carrying around MacBooks...hmmm. Good idea though.

[kdesign7]

This design reminds me of the Lenovo Laptop coming!



When in Tablet mode, it uses it's own OS, and when docked to the laptop base, it uses Windows 7. Its pretty neat.

[bossxii]

The hinge would break.
The thing would overheat and no longer play video well.
The cheap trackpad would suck compared to using it in tablet mode.
The...

oh wait that sounds like the MBA

Seriously though, wouldn't surprise me if a 3rd party vendor doesn't release a case like this with a BT keyboard. Sure it won't have OSX or whatever but give those who want to carry a keyboard + case in a convenient package.

[applesupergeek]

Originally Posted by kdesign7

This design reminds me of the Lenovo Laptop coming!



When in Tablet mode, it uses it's own OS, and when docked to the laptop base, it uses Windows 7. Its pretty neat.

Except for windows 7 it does look pretty neat, good job lenovo!

TO THE OP:

Like others I see zero chances of this happening, but your mockup is very nicely done.

To the rest:
Dual screen laptops or a la courrier devices are bigtime failures for a lot of reasons I don't have the time to elaborate.

[Runt888]

Originally Posted by yyy

Besides, Mac OS X is the future of Mac computers, not iPhone OS.

Thank you Steve Jobs!

Originally Posted by macduke

The main reason I chose two hardware combinations is because A.) iPad OS won't run on Intel and the inverse is also true

No reason why the iPhone OS couldn't be compiled for x86, and new drivers written. I wouldn't be surprised if they have this running in the lab already.

[T4R06]

how old are you? you are dreaming...

[GoKyu]

iPhone OS when used as an iPad, and OS X when docked to the keyboard? Hell yeah, sign me up

That would be the ultimate laptop...

[wackymacky]

No need to worry.



Steve.



x

[yodaxl7]

Originally Posted by admanimal

Likelihood of becoming a reality: 0

I disagree! Look at Lenova IdeaPad Hybrid! Apple can do something like that, unless Lenova patent the tablet detach part from the unit base. However, Apple can create a slideout tablet from the unit base, instead.

The iPhone or iPad OS can evolve to become the next mac os XI!! Mac OS XI can be the fully functional multi-touch, multi-point, multi-layer tablet that has both the iPhone os and mac os parts. That would be so cool! It maybe something down the road in 2013.

[anthonymoody]

Originally Posted by jedolley

Until laptops replace desktops, I doubt you'll see tablets replacing laptops.

Not sure what one has to do with the other. And in any case laptop sales have already overtaken those of desktops.

Originally Posted by admanimal

This is why Apple would never do it the way that the OP described (and the whole detachable keyboard base thing). There is a better chance that the two OS's will just share more features and/or converge back into one OS eventually in some form or another.

Exactly.

[jedolley]

Originally Posted by anthonymoody

Not sure what one has to do with the other. And in any case laptop sales have already overtaken those of desktops.

Without drawing this into a long off topic argument...

What I was trying to say was that even with all the advancement, the form factors have stayed the same. Even though laptops are seeing a larger market share and better recent sales, there are still more desktops in use today than laptops (especially in larger business/corporations).

The tablet may advance along more quickly than the laptop, but I still think it will be a slow change from laptop to tablet as the main computing device.

I agree with the idea of your post (or atleast parts of it), but just not the time table.

I just wanted to clarify and won't be dragging this thread off topic anymore.

[yyy]

Originally Posted by jedolley

The tablet may advance along more quickly than the laptop, but I still think it will be a slow change from laptop to tablet as the main computing device.

That will never happen. Even Apple have realized that a tablet cannot be used as a main computing device and that's why they came up with all that 3rd category thing. People want to watch videos, video-chat and generally interact with their computers while keeping both of their hands free for the important work - it's almost impossible to do that with tablets, not to mention the screen space that gets lost when there's a need to type something with the virtual keyboard.

[thejakill]

I like cheese. I like gum.

Therefore, cheese gum must be even better.