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Apple Sub Notebook Hints: External Optical Drive, MultiTouch Trackpad?

I really wish people would stop perpetuating the myth that SSD/Flash drives have a "limited" write capacity.

http://www.storagesearch.com/ssdmyths-endurance.html

... and the bigger an SSD gets, the more write endurance it has.


I really liked anti-microsofts mockup, with the exception that it doesn't seem to leave any room for decent speakers, unless the speaker is integrated into the screen surface (which will happen eventually). But sound quality is likely very low on Apple's list for an ultraportable.

If this thing has:

-13" LED screen
-64GB SSD storage
-Penryn CPU (a bit of googling and it looks like there are 25 watt versions)
-HDMI 1.3


... I'm sold. Give me that and an external display and consider my desktop "replaced". And it will still make a great media center box 3-5 years down the road.
 
rezonat0r said:
SNIP

If this thing has:

-13" LED screen
-64GB SSD storage
-Penryn CPU (a bit of googling and it looks like there are 25 watt versions)
-HDMI 1.3


... I'm sold. Give me that and an external display and consider my desktop "replaced". And it will still make a great media center box 3-5 years down the road.
Click to expand...

I would be happy with just 32GB if they can keep the price down. But that config (1.3b) with 2-3USB, FW400 and FW 800 (or even a SATA port instead of FW800), audio in/out, gigabit ether, iSight, ?backlit (I could cope without its just more power), a real graphics card to get Quartz and good screen spanning, higher def LCD to get 1440x800 or better, then that would rock.
 
rezonat0r said:
-13" LED screen
-64GB SSD storage
-Penryn CPU (a bit of googling and it looks like there are 25 watt versions)
-HDMI 1.3
Click to expand...

No HDMI. HDMI is a waste of a port. DVI is pin-compatible with HDMI, but with DVI you have the option of using a DVI to VGA adapter, which is key for an ultraportable for business people to be able to connect up to projectors to make presentations, etc. Mini-DVI would be the best option.

Also, 12'' 1280x800 screen. I think the Macbook is just a bit too big to be considered "ultraportable". If you get rid of the huge bezel and move the screen down an inch, you'd be in good shape. Plus you still have the same res screen, so you have the same amount of real estate.

32GB would be more affordable ($300 vs $800 for a 64GB), and you could upgrade in a year or two when 128-256GB SSDs are in the $250-$500 range. Hopefully they will be user-replaceable.

I think the key thing on this would be an ExpressCard 34 slot. Take the PB12'' for example. If you remove the optical drive, you have a ton of room to fit an EC34 slot plus a larger battery and some other ports (extra USB, etc). EC34 gives you the option (which is key for an ultraportable) of being able to use an EV-DO, HSPDA, or WiMAX card. Sure, you can use a USB dongle but they can be a pain in the ass because they stick out farther and you'd have to take it off when you stored away your laptop. With a small expresscard, you would just be able to leave it in.

So if we look at specs:

ULV C2D (Penryn)
2GB Ram (Max 4GB)
32GB SSD (BTO 64GB, regular hdds)
GMA X3100 (battery life & heat make this pretty much required, though an 8400 would be awesome)
12'' LED-backlit LCD display (1280x800)
Gigabit ethernet/802.11abgn wifi
3x USB, 1x FW400, 1xFW800
1x ExpressCard 34
Mini-DVI
Analog/digital audio in & out
Magsafe
iSight
 
zioxide said:
No HDMI. HDMI is a waste of a port. DVI is pin-compatible with HDMI, but with DVI you have the option of using a DVI to VGA adapter, which is key for an ultraportable for business people to be able to connect up to projectors to make presentations, etc. Mini-DVI would be the best option.

Also, 12'' 1280x800 screen. I think the Macbook is just a bit too big to be considered "ultraportable". If you get rid of the huge bezel and move the screen down an inch, you'd be in good shape. Plus you still have the same res screen, so you have the same amount of real estate.

32GB would be more affordable ($300 vs $800 for a 64GB), and you could upgrade in a year or two when 128-256GB SSDs are in the $250-$500 range. Hopefully they will be user-replaceable.

I think the key thing on this would be an ExpressCard 34 slot. Take the PB12'' for example. If you remove the optical drive, you have a ton of room to fit an EC34 slot plus a larger battery and some other ports (extra USB, etc). EC34 gives you the option (which is key for an ultraportable) of being able to use an EV-DO, HSPDA, or WiMAX card. Sure, you can use a USB dongle but they can be a pain in the ass because they stick out farther and you'd have to take it off when you stored away your laptop. With a small expresscard, you would just be able to leave it in.
Click to expand...

HDMI and mini-DVI would be ideal. Even more awesome if they could run 2 screens in addition to the built in screen.

I agree with user replaceable SSDs.

If an EC34 could handle a bigger SSD down the track that would also be very cool.
 
aswitcher said:
HDMI and mini-DVI would be ideal.
Click to expand...

I'm not opposed to HDMI, in fact I'd love to have it as long as there's enough room in the case (which if you don't have an optical drive, there probably would be). Mini-DVI just needs to be the first priority when it comes to display output.

Even more awesome if they could run 2 screens in addition to the built in screen.
Click to expand...

I doubt this would happen. Plus, remember it's an ultraportable, not a desktop replacement. It's extended desktop mode would be the same as the regular Macbook's.
 
zioxide said:
No HDMI. HDMI is a waste of a port. DVI is pin-compatible with HDMI, but with DVI you have the option of using a DVI to VGA adapter, which is key for an ultraportable for business people to be able to connect up to projectors to make presentations, etc. Mini-DVI would be the best option.

Also, 12'' 1280x800 screen. I think the Macbook is just a bit too big to be considered "ultraportable". If you get rid of the huge bezel and move the screen down an inch, you'd be in good shape. Plus you still have the same res screen, so you have the same amount of real estate.

32GB would be more affordable ($300 vs $800 for a 64GB), and you could upgrade in a year or two when 128-256GB SSDs are in the $250-$500 range. Hopefully they will be user-replaceable.

I think the key thing on this would be an ExpressCard 34 slot. Take the PB12'' for example. If you remove the optical drive, you have a ton of room to fit an EC34 slot plus a larger battery and some other ports (extra USB, etc). EC34 gives you the option (which is key for an ultraportable) of being able to use an EV-DO, HSPDA, or WiMAX card. Sure, you can use a USB dongle but they can be a pain in the ass because they stick out farther and you'd have to take it off when you stored away your laptop. With a small expresscard, you would just be able to leave it in.

So if we look at specs:

ULV C2D (Penryn)
2GB Ram (Max 4GB)
32GB SSD (BTO 64GB, regular hdds)
GMA X3100 (battery life & heat make this pretty much required, though an 8400 would be awesome)
12'' LED-backlit LCD display (1280x800)
Gigabit ethernet/802.11abgn wifi
3x USB, 1x FW400, 1xFW800
1x ExpressCard 34
Mini-DVI
Analog/digital audio in & out
Magsafe
iSight
Click to expand...
I can't seem to find a ULV Penryn. Could you point me to one. The only ULV processors I have seen thus far are Merom and they go as low as 10 watts. That would be ideal for an ultra-portable as anything faster will require active cooling, which is heavy.
 
diamond.g said:
I can't seem to find a ULV Penryn. Could you point me to one. The only ULV processors I have seen thus far are Merom and they go as low as 10 watts. That would be ideal for an ultra-portable as anything faster will require active cooling, which is heavy.
Click to expand...

Hmm, they must not be coming out until the Montevina refresh.

Anyways, go with a LV C2D Merom (Santa Rosa Platform).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...essors#.22Merom.22_.28low-voltage.2C_65_nm.29

LV L7500: 1.6GHz
LV L7700: 1.8GHz

both 17W TDP. They aren't the true ULV chips, so you wouldn't be completely underpowered, but they're still a bit slower and give off half the heat of the regular Merom & Penryn processors.
 
zioxide said:
Hmm, they must not be coming out until the Montevina refresh.

Anyways, go with a LV C2D Merom (Santa Rosa Platform).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...essors#.22Merom.22_.28low-voltage.2C_65_nm.29

LV L7500: 1.6GHz
LV L7700: 1.8GHz

both 17W TDP. They aren't the true ULV chips, so you wouldn't be completely underpowered, but they're still a bit slower and give off half the heat of the regular Merom & Penryn processors.
Click to expand...

Well that is a little bit better, but you basically give up low weight to have a faster machine. If it was passively cooled, battery life could probably be extended by an hour or two.

The ULV is only 1.33 GHz and is still dual core. You don't need much more speed in an ultra-portable anyways.
 
sushi said:
FYI, I use both and have since DOS 1.0 and the MacSE. Prefer Mac.

Side by side comparison, which I did, shows many differences. The display is a big one.

Used to be a big fan of Sony, but not any more. Waste of money IMHO. I will grant you that it they do look nice, but that is about it these days. But that's me. YMMV.

As others have shown via pictures in this thread, the optical drive takes up a lot of space (volume).

And the smaller the computer, the more space relative to the size, an optical drive takes. This creates structural issues for the designers.

So to have a laptop design without an optical drive allows for a smaller, lighter and stronger laptop.

Who knows what Apple will come up with.

But I hope we see a real ultra-portable that comes in around 2 pounds instead of under 3 pounds.

If not, I may go with a Thinkpad or Panasonic model for my next laptop.

This post is very revealing.

IMHO, there is no comparison between the two models. In your eyes they look similar. We definitely see things differently concerning design.
Click to expand...

You're a good member Sushi. Thanks for the civil reply and I hope that I didn't come off too crash in mine. I do think taking out the optical will save space and reduce size... but I am just an old fashioned fuddy duddy at the ripe old age of 23. I need my optical man.

I didn't do a side by side but the one I held in my hands was very nice, and frighteningly light, and that's what really changed my opinion of giving the OD the axe. The TZ just didn't weigh enough for me to call any tools it had in it heavy.

As far as design goes, there is no way I will call the mockup design. Photoshop and a little bit of time and carelessness yes, but design... no. The HP was designed, the MacBook mockup was hacked together.
 
zioxide said:
No HDMI. HDMI is a waste of a port. DVI is pin-compatible with HDMI, but with DVI you have the option of using a DVI to VGA adapter, which is key for an ultraportable for business people to be able to connect up to projectors to make presentations, etc. Mini-DVI would be the best option.
Click to expand...

Since I do not believe you can transmit HDCP over DVI, you won't be able to transmit encrypted high-definition content from your "MacSubBook" to a TV or monitor. Even if there is no Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player offered for it, if iTunes uses HDCP for HD video content, you'll not be able to watch it outside of the laptop's own display.

The new HP 17" laptops have HDMI so you can output the content from the built-in Blu-Ray player, which is nice. At work we drive a 42" LCD to watch movies. :cool:
 
CWallace said:
Since I do not believe you can transmit HDCP over DVI
Click to expand...

High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a form of Digital Rights Management (DRM) developed by Intel Corporation to control digital audio and video content as it travels across Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), or Unified Display Interface (UDI) connections. The specification is proprietary, and creating an implementation of HDCP requires a license.
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP

:)
 
rezonat0r said:
HDMI is most certainly NOT a "waste of a port" when it is the A/V transport standard going forward. Mini-DVI is Apple proprietary. Since HDMI is compatible with DVI, I'll take HDMI over DVI any day.
Click to expand...

HDMI doesn't support analog VGA signal though. You need to have a DVI-I port on there to be able to have both DVI and VGA.

VGA is still going to be relevant for a while. Most business people buying an ultraportable would require it for hooking up to projectors for presentations, etc.

HDMI wouldn't be a waste of a port assuming there's enough room on the laptop, but if you have to choose between DVI-I (or Mini-DVI-I) and HDMI, you choose DVI.
 
zioxide said:
VGA is still going to be relevant for a while. Most business people buying an ultraportable would require it for hooking up to projectors for presentations, etc.
Click to expand...

Perhaps, but I think it's difficult to find a projector that doesn't accept DVI-D these days; even a 3 year old projector should support it. Even so, we are talking Apple here, and they already have their mini-DVI accessories. So yeah, they will probably go mini-DVI. HDMI is nice for presentations since you get digital audio+video into the venue's equipment with one cable.
 
Just out of curiosity, has anybody seen this video? It shows a different perspective on how the new ultra-portable laptop might be, though it seems unlikely.
 
MacBook Touch

Don't ask how just look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/macbooktouch/

Here is what I know about it. I dont know how new these are but they seemed pretty recent as they have shots of them.

-The MacBook Touch is the computer part. It has Multi Touch of course and works well as a thumb keyboard when turned vertically. It has minimal inputs outputs since it is has Wireless USB, blue tooth and WiFi, and the Dock Systems will accomplish the heavier stuff. It has a hinge to prop upright when used with the keyboard base station dock thing. It has iSight and microphone and speakers in the bottom. It has Headphone jack and bluetooth audio. It runs OS X with modified Touch commands.

-There are 2 docking type of systems. One with screen, one without.


- The Keyboard Wireless Dock connects to the dock using Wireless USB.

It also has a bigger hard drive, Some sort of DVD player/burner, inputs for your USB and Firewire devices.

The whole keyboard part itself is used as a large multitouch track pad. Since the keys need to be depressed when hit, you can do lighter touches as you move across the whole thing.

- As you can see in one of the pictures the keyboard and touch are on top of each other, this is accomplished with magnets.

-The Screen docking system is uses normal apple keyboards and mice, wired or bluetooth. It connects power and Mini-DVI, and everything else is run through Wireless USB.
 
mailmanbaby said:
Don't ask how just look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/macbooktouch/

Here is what I know about it. I dont know how new these are but they seemed pretty recent as they have shots of them.

-The MacBook Touch is the computer part. It has Multi Touch of course and works well as a thumb keyboard when turned vertically. It has minimal inputs outputs since it is has Wireless USB, blue tooth and WiFi, and the Dock Systems will accomplish the heavier stuff. It has a hinge to prop upright when used with the keyboard base station dock thing. It has iSight and microphone and speakers in the bottom. It has Headphone jack and bluetooth audio. It runs OS X with modified Touch commands.

-There are 2 docking type of systems. One with screen, one without.


- The Keyboard Wireless Dock connects to the dock using Wireless USB.

It also has a bigger hard drive, Some sort of DVD player/burner, inputs for your USB and Firewire devices.

The whole keyboard part itself is used as a large multitouch track pad. Since the keys need to be depressed when hit, you can do lighter touches as you move across the whole thing.

- As you can see in one of the pictures the keyboard and touch are on top of each other, this is accomplished with magnets.

-The Screen docking system is uses normal apple keyboards and mice, wired or bluetooth. It connects power and Mini-DVI, and everything else is run through Wireless USB.
Click to expand...
I can't tell if I like this or not. I suppose it would depend on what the technical specifications on it are. However I am curious as to how the dock works. Are they going to release a brand new iMac line for the dock? I'm not sure I understand how this whole new dock thing works.
 
Waaaay too complicated. I don't think Apple will go with a docking system unless it supports the 15" and 17" MBPs as well. Much less TWO docking systems.
 
Damn, I don't know. On one hand it seems complicated on the other hand it seems downright simple.

You have the Touch just by itself. You really dont need anything else. it is meant to be ultra light.

The other 2 devices are geared to people that either want a docking station for home or a docking station for on the road.

It is pretty... bad ass
 
good picks but wheres the Apple key ? and why is iSight in the incorrect position........ What I do like is the idea of using Spaces to access the device when docked...... makes sense.....

mailmanbaby said:
Don't ask how just look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/macbooktouch/

Here is what I know about it. I dont know how new these are but they seemed pretty recent as they have shots of them.

-The MacBook Touch is the computer part. It has Multi Touch of course and works well as a thumb keyboard when turned vertically. It has minimal inputs outputs since it is has Wireless USB, blue tooth and WiFi, and the Dock Systems will accomplish the heavier stuff. It has a hinge to prop upright when used with the keyboard base station dock thing. It has iSight and microphone and speakers in the bottom. It has Headphone jack and bluetooth audio. It runs OS X with modified Touch commands.

-There are 2 docking type of systems. One with screen, one without.


- The Keyboard Wireless Dock connects to the dock using Wireless USB.

It also has a bigger hard drive, Some sort of DVD player/burner, inputs for your USB and Firewire devices.

The whole keyboard part itself is used as a large multitouch track pad. Since the keys need to be depressed when hit, you can do lighter touches as you move across the whole thing.

- As you can see in one of the pictures the keyboard and touch are on top of each other, this is accomplished with magnets.

-The Screen docking system is uses normal apple keyboards and mice, wired or bluetooth. It connects power and Mini-DVI, and everything else is run through Wireless USB.
Click to expand...
 
fiftydollarshoe said:
good picks but wheres the Apple key ? and why is iSight in the incorrect position........ What I do like is the idea of using Spaces to access the device when docked...... makes sense.....
Click to expand...

What do you mean apple key? Do you mean the Command Key? They got rid of the apple on the latest keyboards... check them out.

Also knowing steve, since the isight is black and you cant see it, it would make more sense to have the microphone hole balance out the button, sorta like the iphone. Also, think about using the isight in VERTICAL mode ! that would be very nice when holding it.. you could thumb type and chat.......

And when it is docked with the keyboard dock, I dont think it matters when the camera is like 1.5 feet away from you. It is far enough to get you in the picture just fine... with a slight angle. That does seem weird to me though, but I can picture it. I always personally like having a slight angle on me on my ichat.

And I agree with spaces, that is nice.
 
mailmanbaby said:
Don't ask how just look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/macbooktouch/

Here is what I know about it. I dont know how new these are but they seemed pretty recent as they have shots of them.

-The MacBook Touch is the computer part. It has Multi Touch of course and works well as a thumb keyboard when turned vertically. It has minimal inputs outputs since it is has Wireless USB, blue tooth and WiFi, and the Dock Systems will accomplish the heavier stuff. It has a hinge to prop upright when used with the keyboard base station dock thing. It has iSight and microphone and speakers in the bottom. It has Headphone jack and bluetooth audio. It runs OS X with modified Touch commands.

-There are 2 docking type of systems. One with screen, one without.


- The Keyboard Wireless Dock connects to the dock using Wireless USB.

It also has a bigger hard drive, Some sort of DVD player/burner, inputs for your USB and Firewire devices.

The whole keyboard part itself is used as a large multitouch track pad. Since the keys need to be depressed when hit, you can do lighter touches as you move across the whole thing.

- As you can see in one of the pictures the keyboard and touch are on top of each other, this is accomplished with magnets.

-The Screen docking system is uses normal apple keyboards and mice, wired or bluetooth. It connects power and Mini-DVI, and everything else is run through Wireless USB.
Click to expand...



Guys i'm new to the MacRumors Forums, but have been lurking for sometime now because I am ready to make the switch from my PC's of the last 13 years. The Iphone I bought several months ago is driving my interest in change.

This is exactly what i've been hoping for out of the Macworld Expo. If it's a fake, it's a darn good one and the whole concept I think is a great idea.

I currently use a Dell 17" Laptop with a 24" widescreen external monitor, and I would gladly sell it all for a performance desktop with a ultramobile option to use around the house or when I travel for business. I would still though be interested in specs obviously, but it's a great concept.

I guess it will remain to be seen if this becomes reality. Even is it doesn't hopefully something similar is in the works.
 
well you raise a good point...... if the machine does come out similar to this who would buy it...... like where would you use it ? I'm sure Apple are not trying to get a bigger share of the laptop market.... they've already got a big chunk of that.... seems they want a chunk of a new market..... so how does this device separate from laptops/desktops/iphone ?

Now hands up who really uses anything but internet and email for their home PC's ? I think there's your answer..... this aint a pc/laptop in the traditional sense..... Apple also wouldn't slice into their very profitable MacBook sector...... this is for a new market....

Kentucky Mac said:
Guys i'm new to the MacRumors Forums, but have been lurking for sometime now because I am ready to make the switch from my PC's of the last 13 years. The Iphone I bought several months ago is driving my interest in change.

This is exactly what i've been hoping for out of the Macworld Expo. If it's a fake, it's a darn good one and the whole concept I think is a great idea.

I currently use a Dell 17" Laptop with a 24" widescreen external monitor, and I would gladly sell it all for a performance desktop with a ultramobile option to use around the house or when I travel for business. I would still though be interested in specs obviously, but it's a great concept.

I guess it will remain to be seen if this becomes reality. Even is it doesn't hopefully something similar is in the works.
Click to expand...
 
montana said:
What do you mean apple key? Do you mean the Command Key? They got rid of the apple on the latest keyboards... check them out.

And I agree with spaces, that is nice.
Click to expand...

so they did......... silly me..... so can it run boot camp ? can you run XP on it ? ;)
 
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