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Apple Sub Notebook Hints: External Optical Drive, MultiTouch Trackpad?
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I personally don't like the external optical drive idea. I understand the purpose of doing so, but I would just rather have an internal optical drive.
This whole HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray is stupid consider that one is 1080i and the other is 1080p. Most of the TV sets only support up to 1080i and for a 1080p you need to spend the extra. Then we have broadcast stations that only support max 1080i at present (if lucky).
So you are paying a premium for a 1080p TV, Blu-Ray player (or PS3) and Blu-Ray content. just to watch TV in 1080i. This HD revolution is blindly robbing consumers of their well earn money.
When you can buy microSD (2GB) cards for 15 USD or less if you buy in bulk and 4GB microSD for 30 USD, it is only time till all media is sold on SD of some sort.
The Floppy dies in the late 1990's and the CD/DVD will dies in the late 2000's.
With the release of 16/32/64GB flash memory, it will be irrelevant if you have HD-DVD or Blu-Ray as Flash will over take them all.
A good point, but I wonder if the trackpad area is where you want multi-touch?
One of Intel's concept laptops had a small LCD display on the backside of the primary LCD display.
Article
[Image courtesy of RegMedia]
Replace that with a multi-touch pad, and you could do a number of things with the laptop that would not require you to open it up:
I am sure there are other ideas that could support it, as well.
- When using it to play music, you could move through songs and playlists or use CoverFlow.
- When giving PowerPoint or Keynote presentations, you could move through presentations.
- You could quickly check your calendar or e-mail inbox.
- You could check the time or weather or stocks or something if it had WiFi/EVDO/etc. like on the iPhone.
I like that idea. I think the back of the LCD could be another LCD, or like that clear LCD one. That way you don't have to turn the monitor around to get a tablet, just close the lid.
It will be really interesting to see what Apple does with the rumored notebook... and I think that having no internal optical drive isn't such a bad idea. Many people don't use the drives in their laptops that much, and it's a big plus when traveling.
On the plus side, I get out of school at 11 everyday so I will finally be able to watch the Keynote instead of having to run home every year to find out what has been introduced.
On the plus side, I get out of school at 11 everyday so I will finally be able to watch the Keynote instead of having to run home every year to find out what has been introduced.
I might point out HD-DVD also supports 1080p. Don't know where you're getting your 1080i-only info.
The newer movies have support for 1080p as its using a 30GB disk, the older 15GB were not true 1080p.
True 1080p not 1080i which is not "true HD."
Then again the industry throws the term HD very easily, 480p/720p/1080i are also coined HD while 1080p is "true HD."
No wonder consumers are confused what HD really is.
Bill: I have an HD TV.
Jim: Is it 1080p.
Bill: Not sure, however it is a HD TV.
Jim: What is the resolution of the HD TV?
Bill: I think its 1080.
Jim: 1080 i or p?
Bill: What is the difference, its an HD TV.
Jim: Let me see, its says it a 1080i HD TV.
Bill: That is HD TV right.
Jim: It is, however you want a 1080p HDTV, which is "true HD."
Bill: Why is this so complicated, all I wanted was a HDTV, and now you are telling me this is not "true HD."
Jim: Sorry Bill, it really is quite simple.
Bill: F#&K...
thingA cool effect / advertising, or a clue? (I'm not implying anything, I really don't know)
that's actually just an effect to show you what u can do with shake. It's been there for a long long time. Apple wouldn't put that on their site before releasing their machine anyway. Also, as you may see... the picture is a MacBook Pro 15'' which is too big for the upcoming ultra-portable. But i'd definitely be great to have a MacBook Pro that reacts just like it does on your screenshot.
The newer movies have support for 1080p as its using a 30GB disk, the older 15GB were not true 1080p.
True 1080p not 1080i which is not "true HD."
Then again the industry throws the term HD very easily, 480p/720p/1080i are also coined HD while 1080p is "true HD."
No wonder consumers are confused what HD really is.
Bill: I have an HD TV.
Jim: Is it 1080p.
Bill: Not sure, however it is a HD TV.
Jim: What is the resolution of the HD TV?
Bill: I think its 1080.
Jim: 1080 i or p?
Bill: What is the difference, its an HD TV.
Jim: Let me see, its says it a 1080i HD TV.
Bill: That is HD TV right.
Jim: It is, however you want a 1080p HDTV, which is "true HD."
Bill: Why is this so complicated, all I wanted was a HDTV, and now you are telling me this is not "true HD."
Jim: Sorry Bill, it really is quite simple.
Bill: F#&K...
Can you honestly tell the difference between 720p, 1080i, and 1080p? I can't imagine it would be THAT obvious. I feel like contrast ratio is much more important. OT I know.
I agree with you there.
I thought there was an update coming to the MBP as well as the introduction of the new laptop...you never know what could come with that update!
One MacBook Nano please Steve
Clearly this device would be called the MacBook Nano
You know it makes sence, I have been mentioning how this would look for at least the last 12 months - its only a matter of time.
10 inch screen, 16GBs onboard flash HD, 1gb or 2 of ram, one of those nice new intel cpus, no optical drive (obviously) and loads of wireless connectivity.
I'm just unsure as to whether of not we are looking at a touchscreen tablet still computer or a nano style macbook - I predict it to have a keyboard for sure.
The idea of it shipping or having an external optical drive in the box is an interesting one, I don't know how much I would use it as all my software (apart from the OS is dmg downloads, still if it was wireless then it would be a cool accessory for people who need to be able to burn dvds for example.
Two weeks to MacBook Nano!!!
Clearly this device would be called the MacBook Nano
You know it makes sence, I have been mentioning how this would look for at least the last 12 months - its only a matter of time.
10 inch screen, 16GBs onboard flash HD, 1gb or 2 of ram, one of those nice new intel cpus, no optical drive (obviously) and loads of wireless connectivity.
I'm just unsure as to whether of not we are looking at a touchscreen tablet still computer or a nano style macbook - I predict it to have a keyboard for sure.
The idea of it shipping or having an external optical drive in the box is an interesting one, I don't know how much I would use it as all my software (apart from the OS is dmg downloads, still if it was wireless then it would be a cool accessory for people who need to be able to burn dvds for example.
Two weeks to MacBook Nano!!!
So in your opinion, many will not be able to tell the difference between 1080i/p. So Sony has pretty much lost the HD battle with its "true HD" marketing, another BetaMax in the making.
Lets all stick with 1080i.
I can tell the difference between 1080i/p when its plastered on a 102 projection screen on your wall.
Smaller screen 40 and below, probably not to the mass pubic. The same argument can be made for audio 128/192/320.
On the topic of the slim sub-notebook, no one needs an optical drive when microSD is the way to go.....with a theoretically max storage of 128GB and iTMS, why will anyone require an optical drive 2-5 years from now.
Pricing for microSD will drop with more portable electronics using it as a standard. Considering that many mobile phones utilize its. It only makes sense to include an SD read and omit the Optical drive, will save space, battery power and price.
And if it has GPS built-in, it will replace any other navigational electronic in a car.
So in your opinion, many will not be able to tell the difference between 1080i/p. So Sony has pretty much lost the HD battle with its "true HD" marketing, another BetaMax in the making.
Lets all stick with 1080i.
I can tell the difference between 1080i/p when its plastered on a 102 projection screen on your wall.
Smaller screen 40 and below, probably not to the mass pubic. The same argument can be made for audio 128/192/320.
I honestly wouldn't know as I've never seen true 1080p. My 30 inch in my room only supports up to 1080i, and as you stated before NOTHING is currently broadcast in 1080p. And I don't have a PS3, Xbox 360, or a Blu-Ray player.
As for the notebook, I like the idea of having the optical drive as an external object. This would really be a step towards compact, and a step in the direction of different media. However, you cannot eliminate the optical drive as disc media is still all to commonly used. CD's aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Getting rid of the 3.5 floppy disk drive wasn't a big deal because they were essentially rendered useless. However, even with the iTunes music store delivering music and movies, and even with flash drives to write media onto, CD's are nowhere near even slightly rendered useless. People still buy music CD's, video DVD's, and blank media in disc form.
...unless you're using CS3, final cut, shake, motion etc, and need some decent screen space. it's soooo much faster - for me anyway - being able to have all the pallets for motion, and windows for final cut/shake open at once. the 1280x854 of my PowerBook was *just* enough, the 1440x900 of my MBP is almost fine, and the 1680x1050 of my external 20" Widescreen comfortable.
Laptops, DRM, Multitouch, sub-notebooks, iPods, gadgetry, movie rentals, DRM.................
So where the hell are the Mac Pro rumors? No leaks? No nothing? The Mac Pro is approaching 512 days old without any updates. (If you say the octo-core "option" 271 days ago was an update you are wrong).
If Apple are at all concerned about the low sales of the Mac Pro and the "deep stock" available at many Apple stores, they will be doubly concerned if they don't produce a significant update to the Mac Pro at MWSF.
Penryn, 1600 FSB, good (current) video card options, bigger stock hard drive, 2 gigs RAM standard are all in order and overdue.
OH MY GOD!
This is a consumer event. When was the last time the Mac Pro/PowerMac line was updated at MWSF, excluding minor bumps?
Whine about it in here, cleverly entitled "Mac Pro & Power Mac" discussions. Unless there's news or a rumour about the Mac Pro, can't the whining be kept in there? This isn't even the right bloody thread!
USB memory, not optical disks
One thing I can add to this discussion is that Apple will be shipping this unit without an optical drive (though it may be an optional extra). The most recent version of Apple Service Diagnostic, 3S117, which is available to all Apple Authorised Service Providers, boots from a 4 Gig USB stick. This may not seem all that amazing, but consider that every previous version of Apple Service Diagnostic (a higher-level equivalent of Apple Hardware Test) has only worked when being read from a CD or DVD.
Mark my words, the ultraportable will ship with its Leopard Restore image on a USB memory stick, *not* a DVD.
Also, I strongly suspect Apple will start to sell all of its apps as downloads to get away from optical media. For instance, the Aperture 1.5.6 update (which is pretty much the full app) requires you to enter your serial number on the appropriate download page. This looks to me how things will be done from here on in.
One thing I can add to this discussion is that Apple will be shipping this unit without an optical drive (though it may be an optional extra). The most recent version of Apple Service Diagnostic, 3S117, which is available to all Apple Authorised Service Providers, boots from a 4 Gig USB stick. This may not seem all that amazing, but consider that every previous version of Apple Service Diagnostic (a higher-level equivalent of Apple Hardware Test) has only worked when being read from a CD or DVD.
Mark my words, the ultraportable will ship with its Leopard Restore image on a USB memory stick, *not* a DVD.
Also, I strongly suspect Apple will start to sell all of its apps as downloads to get away from optical media. For instance, the Aperture 1.5.6 update (which is pretty much the full app) requires you to enter your serial number on the appropriate download page. This looks to me how things will be done from here on in.
It's the MODBOOK !
I may buy one....
13,3", with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels in a magnesium case....
The GPS module will be optional....
Oh no, wait ... that's not an apple ;-(
I may buy one....
13,3", with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels in a magnesium case....
The GPS module will be optional....
Oh no, wait ... that's not an apple ;-(
