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Apple Sub Notebook Hints: External Optical Drive, MultiTouch Trackpad?
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Imagine some of the possibilities, and I refer to the following pictures.
Let says you are mainly a desktop user. You could have the 24" iMac and the MacTouch unit. This allows you to use the desktop at work, in the office, or at the home office. But then you can also pull out the MacTouch and spend the evening in the recliner without the bulk of a notebook. The MacTouch always is in sync with the iMac, so you always have your favorite bookmarks, email folders, contacts, and etc. The sync prevents having some info on one unit but not the other. Nothing more aggravating than not having access to the same info on each of your computers.
This is where the redesign of the iMac comes in. Why would the cost of the iMac have to be that much more. Basically you've added a large slot only to the case along with a few internal components. This is assuming there is room for this.
Imagine I have a iMac at home and it has the slot in the side. I had not yet purchased the MacTouch, but I sure would be tempted to consider it 6 months after I had purchased the iMac, especially if it is as simple as sliding the unit into the iMac, and it just works.
Next possibility - If I were to run a 17" MacBook Pro for the purposes of a desktop replacement or I run a Mac Pro. The docking system that would come with the MacTouch would allow me to do the same thing as the iMac as far as syncing the two, possibly via firewire. I can fully see me taking the 17" MBP on a business trip for major computing power at a customers location, but then just using the MacTouch in the hotel that night or sitting in the airport to check emails and web surf.
Another possibility, the MacTouch is just a standalone unit. Perhaps your teenager has one as their personal media player, web browser, email. Because it runs a full OS, it is a all in one unit that appeals to the younger crowd. I know my son who's a PSP, MP3, gadget kid would love to have this vs. a notebook.
Imagine it could become a interface for a Apple TV type of experience. Let's say it works via remote from your mantle to control all of your media, or actually is the remote interface for your Apple TV. It would be sweet to sit in the recliner and browse the internet while controlling your Apple TV at the same time. Refering to my iMac incentive to purchase the MacTouch later, would you consider purchasing the MacTouch later if you knew you could control your Apple TV with it? I don't know a whole lot about the Apple TV but it's a possibility.
Let me mention that I do have an Iphone and I know that it can check my email, web surf and etc., but the MacTouch unit would be able to do so much more and in a more user friendly way without the added bulk of a notebook or the constant scrolling in safari on the Iphone.
I think the main way to create sales is to create possibilities. A small unit that can interact with any of the hardware made by Apple would be a huge seller. Imagine the possibilies. All this being said, who knows what's to come. I hope were not all disappointed on the 15th.
Sorry for such a long post, but can you tell I really want one.
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trackpad ideas
there is rumors of a larger trackpad. An option could be that apple just remove the trackpad. instead, the entire lower part of the keyboard could be touch sensitive or even the keyboard it self. multitouch would be used for key combinations. super sleek, apple style.
Also external harddrive will not happend. Apple already did it with the powerbooks duo 230 (external floppy and docking station). seeing an ultraportable with external hardrive and/or docking station would like renewing old ideas which is not apple. I can see a base station for the ultra portable with the optical drive. (I don't want to see the price of it)
there is rumors of a larger trackpad. An option could be that apple just remove the trackpad. instead, the entire lower part of the keyboard could be touch sensitive or even the keyboard it self. multitouch would be used for key combinations. super sleek, apple style.
Also external harddrive will not happend. Apple already did it with the powerbooks duo 230 (external floppy and docking station). seeing an ultraportable with external hardrive and/or docking station would like renewing old ideas which is not apple. I can see a base station for the ultra portable with the optical drive. (I don't want to see the price of it)
How about this, Apple gives me a Pro machine that competes with the Pro machines from the competition then they can do all the fancy trackpad stuff to the consumer machines in a totally new lineup. How about a 17" MacBook Pro that can have dual HDDs, and 512MB GFX card.
Terrible.
Ugly, but at least they didn't plaster an iMac screen to a Macbook Pro.
Though if Apple wants to enter the UMPC market, that would be a viable form factor.
Track pad, Notebook ideas...
Personally, as many others seem to as well, I don't see the reasoning behind a wide track pad. IF apple is planning on introducing Multi-touch into their product lines I anticipate a much simpler design. If I were able to craft an attractive design on photoshop i definitely would, but I cant and so just picture this if you will.
I foresee the track pad being the size of an iPhone. Think about it...just place that as the track pad of the notebook. it is plenty of room for manipulation and it would work perfectly. It is possible that the track pad could me slightly wider than 2.4 in. as the iPhone is, but it isn't necessary. I also think the button will remain, but i don't doubt it being omitted either. Quite frankly I rarely use the button on my notebook to click, I merely tap twice so I think it is possible for the button to no longer have any use.
Furthermore, i cant see them ever eliminating any of the current notebook lines. I say, an ultra portable notebook, improved macbook, improved macbook pro and possibly a macbook touch of sorts (But, I doubt that). this would go well in tune with the iPod lines with Shuffle, nano, classic and touch. I can't seen the ultra portable notebook having multi-touch, just the mere fact of it being super thin and light is good enough to sell, I don't think apple would lump everything new into the product..it would be overwhelming. So, simply a small notebook, nothing more. the MB and MBP could definitely have multi-touch incorporated, to boost sales with some innovation in their notebook lines. the macbook touch, if even done, could come along, but i don't see the purpose for it, there is no target area for it other than people who want to have the hottest new item, other than that it wouldn't aid any target area period. If i am doing homework or just simply browsing on the web, I wouldn't necessarily enjoy placing this incredibly sexy tablet on my lap and tapping on the screen. if there would be a macbook touch i can imagine two designs, one that is like some notebook/tablet pc's where the screen can swivel and flip down, like some gateways or in a huge change, apple does away with the keyboard and adds in its place a multi-touch screen. Both of those ideas seem improbable as well, as do all mock ups of macbook touches.
Personally, as many others seem to as well, I don't see the reasoning behind a wide track pad. IF apple is planning on introducing Multi-touch into their product lines I anticipate a much simpler design. If I were able to craft an attractive design on photoshop i definitely would, but I cant and so just picture this if you will.
I foresee the track pad being the size of an iPhone. Think about it...just place that as the track pad of the notebook. it is plenty of room for manipulation and it would work perfectly. It is possible that the track pad could me slightly wider than 2.4 in. as the iPhone is, but it isn't necessary. I also think the button will remain, but i don't doubt it being omitted either. Quite frankly I rarely use the button on my notebook to click, I merely tap twice so I think it is possible for the button to no longer have any use.
Furthermore, i cant see them ever eliminating any of the current notebook lines. I say, an ultra portable notebook, improved macbook, improved macbook pro and possibly a macbook touch of sorts (But, I doubt that). this would go well in tune with the iPod lines with Shuffle, nano, classic and touch. I can't seen the ultra portable notebook having multi-touch, just the mere fact of it being super thin and light is good enough to sell, I don't think apple would lump everything new into the product..it would be overwhelming. So, simply a small notebook, nothing more. the MB and MBP could definitely have multi-touch incorporated, to boost sales with some innovation in their notebook lines. the macbook touch, if even done, could come along, but i don't see the purpose for it, there is no target area for it other than people who want to have the hottest new item, other than that it wouldn't aid any target area period. If i am doing homework or just simply browsing on the web, I wouldn't necessarily enjoy placing this incredibly sexy tablet on my lap and tapping on the screen. if there would be a macbook touch i can imagine two designs, one that is like some notebook/tablet pc's where the screen can swivel and flip down, like some gateways or in a huge change, apple does away with the keyboard and adds in its place a multi-touch screen. Both of those ideas seem improbable as well, as do all mock ups of macbook touches.
iMac docking station? Not going to happen...
A lot of people seem to be expecting a new model of iMac that also works as a docking station for the new ultraportable. Sorry folks, this is just not going to happen. Here's why: if an iMac would be needed as a docking station for the new ultraportable, then the new ultraportable would be usable only by iMac owners. This would limit the market for the new product. Think
would have been able to sell so many iPods or iPhones if they worked only with Macs? This is why the ultraportable would have to be a viable standalone machine to have any chance of reasonable sales.
A lot of people seem to be expecting a new model of iMac that also works as a docking station for the new ultraportable. Sorry folks, this is just not going to happen. Here's why: if an iMac would be needed as a docking station for the new ultraportable, then the new ultraportable would be usable only by iMac owners. This would limit the market for the new product. Think
would have been able to sell so many iPods or iPhones if they worked only with Macs? This is why the ultraportable would have to be a viable standalone machine to have any chance of reasonable sales.
I agree the iMac won't be the docking station. It looks more like a way to leverage the iMac form factor and case (albeit with a different back) to serve as a docking station for a subnotebook.
I bought the iMac because of the form factor (it's clean and clutter-free). I imagine I was not alone in that thinking. By leveraging the form factor itself, Apple is trying to come up with something more elegant then most laptop docking stations. Especially in the case of a subnotebook where the laptop's own display will more often not be used and a separate, larger display will be.
By docking the notebook vertically, it takes up less desk space then leaving it flat on the desk in the dock. And by docking it vertically in the display itself, it takes up even less desk space then if it was docked vertically next to it.
I bought the iMac because of the form factor (it's clean and clutter-free). I imagine I was not alone in that thinking. By leveraging the form factor itself, Apple is trying to come up with something more elegant then most laptop docking stations. Especially in the case of a subnotebook where the laptop's own display will more often not be used and a separate, larger display will be.
By docking the notebook vertically, it takes up less desk space then leaving it flat on the desk in the dock. And by docking it vertically in the display itself, it takes up even less desk space then if it was docked vertically next to it.
I assume you missed the recent Apple Patent Filing
You're about 28 pages too late...... thats what where talking about !
I just found this on the web
Hello,
I was looking for random wallpapers for my macbook pro and I cam across this on a site. Who knows if it is real, but the site is claiming that it maybe a leaked photo of the new sub-notebook. They also add that they aren't sure of the validity...but you never know. Looking at it, I could see apple doing something like this.
Here is a link to the site I found it on. What do you guys think?
http://www.realitydreamship.net/category/apple/
Here is direct link to the photo on the site
http://www.realitydreamship.net/2008/01/03/new-ultra-portable-macbook-pro-photo-leak/
Hello,
I was looking for random wallpapers for my macbook pro and I cam across this on a site. Who knows if it is real, but the site is claiming that it maybe a leaked photo of the new sub-notebook. They also add that they aren't sure of the validity...but you never know. Looking at it, I could see apple doing something like this.
Here is a link to the site I found it on. What do you guys think?
http://www.realitydreamship.net/category/apple/
Here is direct link to the photo on the site
http://www.realitydreamship.net/2008/01/03/new-ultra-portable-macbook-pro-photo-leak/
Attachments
GreenRabbit pic
Okay, I'm inclined to think the pic circulating is fake. But if you follow his profile and look at his blog page, the other pic looks real... Who knows but it shows the same rumored 13" along with an 8" touch.
http://bp2.blogger.com/_1vOR-P58WcI/R3-45vSjLsI/AAAAAAAAAAc/8LAYxk-fC5A/s1600/ipod_touch_pro01.jpg
Okay, I'm inclined to think the pic circulating is fake. But if you follow his profile and look at his blog page, the other pic looks real... Who knows but it shows the same rumored 13" along with an 8" touch.
http://bp2.blogger.com/_1vOR-P58WcI/R3-45vSjLsI/AAAAAAAAAAc/8LAYxk-fC5A/s1600/ipod_touch_pro01.jpg
Show me video and then I'll get excited but if he has faked one then I assume he is faking anything else that seems new.
Doesn't is strike you to be somewhat odd that not only has he previously released a fake photo, but the "macbook mini(or whatever)" is exactly the one from his previous "leaked" photo. look at the angle of the notebook and the shadow that is being cast, exactly the same. Plus, as many have said, the idea of button the size of the track pad is just stupid. symmetry is a good thing, but not in this case. apple wouldn't be the type to make an ergonomic mishap such as that.
What if--- the "button" isn't a button at all but only a wrist rest for typing? I seldom use my button and in reality, could see it being eliminated with expanded use multi-touch trackpad. The side view of minibook shows a little more detail with what looks to be a magsafe conn.
Seriously doubt the 1-2mm thing that looks like a button is actually a palm rest. i can see apple saying, "DON'T PUT YOUR PALM ON THE NOTEBOOK, WE BUILT A SLIGHTLY ELEVATED THING THAT IS MADE OF THE SAME MATERIAL FOR YOU TO REST ON." I agree with you though, a button is not needed and i hardly ever use mine. Besides, we have determined the pictures are fake so I suppose we have less than 9 days to know for sure.
Oh and another thing, if you were to rest your palms on that, you couldn't reach all of the keys, unless you have long fingers. as i reiterate, Apple is not the one to make an ergonomic mishap, and that would be a big one.