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

[Jupitjes]

no internal optical drive makes sense

1) In 2000 I bought the Pismo which has two expension bays. For 7 years I had two batteries in both bays. No optical drives needed. It worked perfect.

2) Optical drives only needed because of manufacturers media:
A) The DVD-drive at home I only needed when installing new software from CD.
B) When renting movies I connected an external DVD-drive.

3) Removing the optical drive is the single best step next to skipping the 3,5"-drive when introducing the first iMac. Who works still with those 3,5" disks? Optical drives are history. Think RAID and have a proper backup system in place.

Cheers, Joop

 

[Grimace]

seems that green rabbit (follow the white rabbit?....) is a one post kind of guy/gal. Looking for buzz, be it from a true or rumored product. S/he registered this morning and has a profile that looks like:

MacBook Pro 15", iPhone, iPod Nano and one more thing...
Location:SF, CA

 

[BigJohno]

Would they honestly keep the same body as the current MBP. I thought they where going to redesign the case????

Edit.. I think they should get rid of the optical drive. Everything should be available for download. Also if the this so called little mbp can run a 23" or a 30" screen im all for it.

 

[guzhogi]

I'm the computer tech in an elementary school and I could see this as a good tool in a school setting as a student laptop. Each class in grades 1-3 have a cart of 5 iBooks (some combination of G3s & G4s) while all the 4th & 5th grades share a big cart of 25. The iBooks (which are REALLY slow) are used for writing essays, online research or games and don't ever use the optical drive. If we ever need to reinstall the OS, we just use NetBoot/NetRestore from the network or an external Firewire drive. And since Macs since the G3 days can start up from Firewire, external optical/hard drives is a non-issue. Only thing is it'll have to be cheap. MacBooks are already $1099, or $999 through education. Not sure what the bulk education rate is (my district usually buys new computers for all 9 schools in the district @ the same time), but this new subnotebook should be cheaper. Maybe $899 or $999 for the general public & $100 less for education. Only problem with these (and any Intel Mac for that matter) is that we have a lot of great software that's classic-only so it won't run on Intel Macs.

I'd like to see what a multi-touch trackpad would be like. W/ my MBP, I can scroll using two fingers so we have very rudimentary multitouch already. I'll wait and hold judgement until I see it.

 

[akadmon]

If Apple doesn't update the MacBook Pro's I will not be happy.

I was waiting for someone say this. My sentiments exactly. My daughter is turning 18 in two days and a new MBP is supposed to be her bd present. It will really suck if a MBP update is not at least announced at MWSF I've been delaying this purchase for months, and in the meantime her old PC POS has bitten the dust.

 

[137489]

[snip]

I am under the impression that this could be fake also....

1. that is an awefully big mouse button. If they are going to be innovative with touch, then why have a mouse button so big? a bigger track pad, ok but a huge mouse-button? come on...

2. given the style of the keyboard still resembles the macbook pro, I don't think it is real. Look at the keyboard styles on the macbook and the new imac keyboard. Do you really think Apple would use an "old-style" keyboard when they went through all the innovation to come up with a new style?

Still. This is an impressive picture (oh, but next time do not show it with what appears to be an error box, that is bad publicity - makes me think a new computer with problems...)

 

[sushi]

but a 2 gig USB stick still costs about $50.

Huh?

Where are you buying your 2GB USB memory?

Many places sell 2GB at sub $20 prices, and 4GB at sub $50 prices.

Would they honestly keep the same body as the current MBP. I thought they where going to redesign the case????

A similar case as the MBPs currently have, with a matte 12 or 13 inch widescreen display, but thinner without the optical drive, would be nice.

 

[torn80]

then go buy a PC

i never think the one button is a problem.
it takes less time to put two fingers on the pad and click.

I never said one button was a problem... I just made an observation, plus if I did want two buttons, you then have to go buy a PC? God forbid if a Mac person likes two buttons on their mice or trackpad. Man, the children on these boards, it's no wonder I rarely post.

 

[Warbrain]

1) In 2000 I bought the Pismo which has two expension bays. For 7 years I had two batteries in both bays. No optical drives needed. It worked perfect.

2) Optical drives only needed because of manufacturers media:
A) The DVD-drive at home I only needed when installing new software from CD.
B) When renting movies I connected an external DVD-drive.

3) Removing the optical drive is the single best step next to skipping the 3,5"-drive when introducing the first iMac. Who works still with those 3,5" disks? Optical drives are history. Think RAID and have a proper backup system in place.

Cheers, Joop

Unfortunately, optical media is going to be around for a long time. Sure, make the ultraportable, but I know that I won't be purchasing one ever because an optical drive doesn't add all that much bulk to the current portables. Many more people than you think live off what is installed in their laptop and don't want external devices to carry around.

 

[Fourbin]

I thought to myself - with an ultraportable computer that I'm taking everywhere (including trains, planes, etc.) I'm going to want an optical drive because I'm always watching DVDs. But then it struck me: Apple doesn't want you to have an optical drive so you buy/rent movies from iTunes! Brilliant.

 

[guzhogi]

...and yet, only one mouse button still!

Huh?

Where are you buying your 2GB USB memory?

Many places sell 2GB at sub $20 prices, and 4GB at sub $50 prices.


A similar case as the MBPs currently have, with a matte 12 or 13 inch widescreen display, but thinner without the optical drive, would be nice.

And I bought a 32 GB flash drive for $235 @ dealram.com. Would've gone w/ the 64 GB one, but too rich for my blood ($5,000+).

Don't know about the picture. And I don't care. Don't like the big button or big trackpad. The trackpad on my MBP is roughly the same size as my iPhone's screen so the pinching motion shouldn't be too bad on it. I'd like to see maybe a two button trackpad on it though. Something like the mouse where it's one large button but pressing the left & right would be left/right clicking or something.

 

[rtdunham]

I don't get "multitouch trackpad." It seems to me that multitouch has to be on a display, not a trackpad, to be interesting....

I've always assumed the multitouch keypad WOULD be a display too. Maybe it would only display icons for context-sensitive choices like that new $1,000+ keyboard with shifting, mappable keys; maybe it would (when appropriate) show a mini version of what's on the screen, for manipulation, whether sizing a window or photo, whatever. Maybe...

But I think that's the way it'll go: your macbook mutlitouch trackpad won't be a black (or white) pad any more, it'll be a display. I can't give better examples yet because a) i haven't spent that much time noodling it and b) i'm not as smart or imaginative as the apple guys/gals who would come up with these new working tools.

 

[plumbingandtech]

Apple doesn't want you to have an optical drive so you buy/rent movies from iTunes! Brilliant.

Although that is a plus for them, I would bet it did not play a major role.

The goal of this subnotebook is thinness.

I think it came down to this:

Steve looked at the current MacBook(& pro) and said.

"It's too thick. Hardly anyone uses the optical any more. Lose it."...

 

[Lepton]

UI Conflicts

A multiTouch trackpad, eh? Here is what I am interested in.. There is a user interface conflict there:

On current trackpads, to scroll further down a page, you drag your fingers down, like you were sliding a scrollbar thumb down. On a multitouch screen like the iPhone, you drag your finger up, like you were sliding the text itself up.

I wonder how they will solve this?

[I myself have been predicting a new line of displays - multitouch, and the ability to lie them flat or nearly flat (up at a 20 degree angle). Possibly wireless WiFi. Possibly with the ability to connect to any computer ala Apple Remote Desktop. In fact that's what I'd call this line of displays - remote desktops.]

 

[DisturbedLen]

Whatever they release, it should have an ExpressCard. It annoys me that the MacBook doesn't have it like my MBP.

 

[guzhogi]

I thought to myself - with an ultraportable computer that I'm taking everywhere (including trains, planes, etc.) I'm going to want an optical drive because I'm always watching DVDs. But then it struck me: Apple doesn't want you to have an optical drive so you buy/rent movies from iTunes! Brilliant.

I have quite a few TV shows/movies that I bought from iTunes. Pretty handy. But I don't want the lack of an optical drive to be only because Apple wants increased iTunes sales. That's just greedy.

I also think the optical drive still has a few years left in it. With Blu-Ray/HD-DVD and then a holographic disc/protein disc (wikipedia them) later, we'll probably see optical drives for several years more. I'd like to see holographic cards which work like flash drives are something. Flash drives are already at 64 GB though are still fairly expensive. HVDs, according to Wikipedia, can have a capacity of 3.9 TB (about 1000 single layer DVDs) w/ a transfer rate of 1 Gbit/s (or 128 MB/s). Holographic cards can hold 30 GB, are fairly cheap ($1 per card), but the readers are expensive. Wikipedia says a reader/writer can be $9000 or something, but no moving parts.

 

[guzhogi]

A multiTouch trackpad, eh? Here is what I am interested in.. There is a user interface conflict there:

On current trackpads, to scroll further down a page, you drag your fingers down, like you were sliding a scrollbar thumb down. On a multitouch screen like the iPhone, you drag your finger up, like you were sliding the text itself up.

I wonder how they will solve this?

[I myself have been predicting a new line of displays - multitouch, and the ability to lie them flat or nearly flat (up at a 20 degree angle). Possibly wireless WiFi. Possibly with the ability to connect to any computer ala Apple Remote Desktop. In fact that's what I'd call this line of displays - remote desktops.]

Maybe 1 finger to move the cursor, 2 for scrolling like on current trackpads. Or integrate the trackpad & screen.

 

[Digitalclips]

i'll be the first whiner. sounds impractical to me. buuuut i won't be buying one, anyway.

Well I assume by impractical you refer to the external CD / DVD drive? I reply not to you specifically, just thinking out loud about the idea of no internal CD / DVD.

I use several high end Macs for work and games but my trusty iBook G4 12" is in use 24/7 as my e-mail and web reading companion and never leaves my side.

I was trying to recall the last time I ever had a CD or DVD in it ... ah yes when I installed Leopard from the family pack. Before that ...? Let me think ... ah yes, when I installed Tiger.

To be honest with the speed of the net these days (we have FiOS 25/5) I install everything except OS X via Wi-Fi often using Remote DeskTop while working on a G5 or an Intel Mac. I haven't but could use Target Mode to do a major install.

If Apple offered the external drive as an optional feature I wouldn't even bother getting one. Better spend the money on more RAM if possible. I just do not need CD or DVD for the most part so long as one machine on the network has one. I can't help feeling they are headed the same was as the floppy disk ...

Oh, Happy New Year everyone

 

[MezicanGangxtah]

i Shure hope apple doesnt release a notebook with external optical drive that would be so whack! IM sure apple will pull something off tho so that somehow an optical drive willl fit.After all its soooo not like them to release something that is not all in one.

 

[Mickinator]

I have quite a few TV shows/movies that I bought from iTunes. Pretty handy. But I don't want the lack of an optical drive to be only because Apple wants increased iTunes sales. That's just greedy.

I don't see the lack of a drive being anything important at all. Just hook up a FireWire drive when needed. I have an external FireWire burner hooked up to my iMac, which DOES have an internal optical drive. I use the external one to use LightScribe discs.

Apple should NOT include it on this new one, to keep the size, and cost, down.

 

[zedsdead]

Although that is a plus for them, I would bet it did not play a major role.

The goal of this subnotebook is thinness.

I think it came down to this:

Steve looked at the current MacBook(& pro) and said.

"It's too thick. Hardly anyone uses the optical any more. Lose it."...

I agree with you...the goal of the Ultra-portable is going to be just that, portability. Most people only use the optical drive to either rip Cd's or install programs, and that can be done at you home setting. When on the road, you just work off of the flash memory. As for watching DVD's, Apple would rather you buy from iTunes anyway.

Anyone think Apple might set this up as a Sync device through iTunes. Ie. you sync everything my iTunes, to App's, and Documents all through USB. Although, this model would require people to have a Mac already, thus would cut out first time Mac sales. Could be very interesting though.

 

[snipersix]

to wait or not to wait for the new macbook pro

I am currently in a delema now. Wether to wait or not to wait for the upcoming macbook pro, or just get the current 2.4 macbook pro version. With these rumors, I don't think I like the new macbook pro. I dont like the idea of getting rid of the HDD and replacing it with flash disk. It makes it impossible to install other programs in, and keep songs and videos. And the external HDD issue, makes defeats the whole purpose of being portable. What are your opinions on this?

 

[timmillwood]

I cant wait for this new machine, i am starting a new job next week and have been looking to downsize from my 17" macbook pro.

I would love to see a +2ghz machine with a **** load of ram (as upgrade I bet), but as small and as light as possible so i can take it everywhere.

Dont need a CD drive apart from now and again when i can even use the computer in work to transfer it to a USB stick if needs be.

Really excited for macworld as I am every year.

 

[137489]

You're not a fan of external drives but you have a lot of photos, documents, video and audio.....

yep. Permanent storage is on DVD. I have about 20 DVD-R's currently, and about 10 cd's. I have a large hard-drive on my desk top (250 gig) and my Dell XPS has a 110 gig hard-drive (still a way to small for my needs). My problem with external drives, is I take my laptop to church on Saturdays to work on the worship media. The area in the sound booth is small (big enough for the screen and keyboard - for the computer that is there). Sometimes I have to put my laptop on a chair next to me to use software I have, that they don't. Having to use an external drive would make it harder when needing to rip video or photos from one of their CD's/DVD's to my laptop for editing.

I do most of my editing for the church at home, but there are always those last minute changes.

I had an external hard drive once for my older desktop. The problem is another device taking up desk space. I have a small desk in a small room, so space is minimal (then you got the issue of more wires).

The only use I found with an external drive, was a case enclosure, when I had to pop-out a hard drive and place it in an enclosure to rescue the data on someone's dead desktop or laptop (with Window's PC's you would be surprized how many times a critical OS file get missing and you can't boot it up - or in the case of a friend of mine, his laptop was burned beyond recognition in a house fire - the hard drive was the only part that did not get damaged).

The other reason I am not a fan of external drives (especially DVD/CD) is all the under-write errors. Maybe they are better than they used to be, but we had a lot of problems with them at work. the data would not transfer to the drive fast enough for the drive to write properly. Reading from the external drive was ok, though slower than a built in one.

The other problem with external drives.... They take up one of your USB ports. I have an HP desktop with 6 USB ports. They are all in use (2 printers, web cam, ipod, scanner, and of course HP's media Center infra-red for the remote takes up a USB). All the USB hub's I tried never really worked properly.

I also had an IBM laptop about 10 years ago with an external floppy. Took a special cable that I would not get replaced when one of the pins bent.

Just speaking from experience. But I know Steve will wow us. I was going to use my tax-refund last year to buy a macbook, but with all the speculation of what is coming out, wanting to wait for leopard, and not being impressed with Vista - I temporarily opted for a cheaper Dell running XP (only because I needed it for work, my pentium III celeron I had for 5 years would not run the software I needed).

Right now I am glad I waited, because of the updates to iwork, ilife, and the initial problems with the macbook (plus they made small updates to make them almost as poweful as the macbook pro). This year I think I will get my mac.

 

[MarlboroLite]

13 inches is NOT ultraportable, no matter how thin or light it is.

Why do people keep calling it that?! If indeed it is 13 inches, my guess is that it is either a 13 inch MBP or a completely new revision of the MB line, not an entirely new line of MB "nano"....why would they even call it that when the computer has the same footprint as the MB and when people see them side by side in a store, it will sound ridiculous to call it a mini version unless it's an actual mini computer, which this would not be!!!