Apple's Subnotebook 'Delayed' Until Late 2007/Early 2008?

[MikeTheC]

Apple and the Sub-Notebook Saga...

Something I really don't understand, though it might at first seem to fly in the face of common sense, is why people want smaller, thinner, less substantial portable computers.

I can understand weight reduction -- nobody likes a heavy notebook.

I can understand conservation of physical mass -- nobody likes a fat notebook.

But even thinnner than they already are? Aren't they easy enough to damage as they presently are? How does making them thinner and lighter improve in this area? I mean, if Apple sold $300 laptops, then yeah, maybe it wouldn't matter too much if you dropped and killed it, but considering the product line we're talking about is likely to be >$1000, maybe even >$2000, they're not what I'd call "disposable". (Unless you're a millionare, maybe.)

Someone earlier here mentioned a Sony sub-notebook. Remember that Sony is *not* -- I repeat, *not* -- either a true innovator or pioneer. They simply try and re-work other company's stuff. Apple has Sony beat, and probably always will. And besides, Sony considers their notebook line not so much a "computer" product but an entertainment or experience product. The philosophy within Sony is very, very different than at Apple.

Anyhow, sorry to get sidetracked on that bit. However, getting back to the thinness factor, I mean just how thin does a notebook need to be? I own a PowerBook G4; I've owned an iBook G3 and I've used MacBooks sufficiently enough to not see a real benefit to be gained by going thinner. I also would see no benefit in going smaller, but that's a conversation for another time and place.

 

[sushi]

Something I really don't understand, though it might at first seem to fly in the face of common sense, is why people want smaller, thinner, less substantial portable computers.
<snip>

In places like Japan, smaller is better in many cases.

I am on the road a lot. I used to carry my PB15. Now I carry my Sharp MM20 because it is much more effective for me to use. It is lighter, smaller, better wireless connectivity, and very sturdy.

Now I use my PB15 at home and the MM20 on the road.

And right now, if Apple does not introduce a subnotebook model, I am looking to get a Thinkpad X60s series laptop.

Note, I would much rather get an Apple laptop but they currently do not have a laptop that fits my needs. And guess what, many of my Japanese friends feel the same. Apple will do well if they introduce a 12 inch laptop.

 

[Whistleway]

Every rumor these days is about the inevitable delays. Did Apple bite more than it can chew with the silly iPhone?

 

[iW00t]

Even products that don't actually exist. Oh, the horror!

Does the iPhone currently exist?

Last I checked OS X "Leopard" and iLife do exist. Oh, and it is 2007 by the way.

 

[Anawrahta]

But even thinnner than they already are? Aren't they easy enough to damage as they presently are? How does making them thinner and lighter improve in this area? I mean, if Apple sold $300 laptops, then yeah, maybe it wouldn't matter too much if you dropped and killed it, but considering the product line we're talking about is likely to be >$1000, maybe even >$2000, they're not what I'd call "disposable". (Unless you're a millionare, maybe.)

The whole idea of subcompacts is that they're made out of strong composite materials, like Panasonic's tough books, or Sony's carbon VAIOs. That said, who drops their laptop? I've never dropped any of mine, and if you're clumsy enough to drop it hard enough that it breaks, then you should pay the price.

Someone earlier here mentioned a Sony sub-notebook. Remember that Sony is *not* -- I repeat, *not* -- either a true innovator or pioneer. They simply try and re-work other company's stuff. Apple has Sony beat, and probably always will. And besides, Sony considers their notebook line not so much a "computer" product but an entertainment or experience product.

Apple bought over designers FROM Sony to design their current crop of notebooks. The very first Powerbook was DESIGNED and built BY Sony. To say that Sony's electronics division is not a true innovator is simply ignorant. Heard of the CD?

The subcompact VAIOs are not entertainment experience computers, they are meant for people working on the go, and the Japanese market that prefers more compact devices. Apple is shrinking in the world's second largest market. They need this computer over here.

 

[Earendil]

How can a yet to be announced product, that is only rumor and not fact, be "delayed" ?!

 

[localoid]

Well... although rumor has it that Apple's rumored ultra-mobile notebook may be delayed, hopes for (some) new notebooks (coming soon) from Apple isn't lost!

At least not according to this Digitimes article, which claims that Apple "is going to introduce mass production of its new series of notebooks in the second quarter."

 

[sushi]

At least not according to this Digitimes article, which claims that Apple "is going to introduce mass production of its new series of notebooks in the second quarter."

Let's hope so!

 

[iMikeT]

Rumors, rumors. That's all this is. Either way, people cry...

 

[GanleyBurger]

This baby's got it all...

 

[xJulianx]

I would love a sub notebook from Apple. I'd jump straight on it, I have a 13" MacBook for on the road, but it is a bit bigger and heavier than what would be ideal.

 

[karlfranz]

Great! Now the same idiots who complain about iPhone, iLife, and iWork being "late" will complain that Apple is again unable to deliver on time. Nevermind that this is yet another fantasy product that (thus far) Apple has never confessed to be releasing. Some people refuse to understand the concept that these stories are all R-U-M-O-R-S.

 

[karlfranz]

For all the people saying that its not a real product so it can not be delayed, It can be. Apple dose not have to show it to you to for it to be there. Yes it is a rumor but this site is MacRumors so dont complain about "this is a rumor its not true" cause what do you think the point of this site is!!! some people are DUMB!

QED

 

[karlfranz]

Apple is delaying everything, argh.

tv
iPhone
Leopard

Now this, what next?

Show me a single place that proves that (to date) Apple has delayed the release of the iPhone.

Another common theme: Make up rumors of non-existent products and when they don't appear make up rumors of delays. As far as I know there has been only one delay: Leopard. All the rest are just people who hope that wishing will make it so and then get frustrated when it doesn't.

Finally, somebody who gets it.

I've heard from reliable sources that the next big rumors from Appleinsider, which were scheduled to appear May 1st, now face unknown problems and will be delayed until just prior to WWDC. The problems in the supply pipeline are believed to be similar to those that effected Thinksecret, namely the need to continue to publish rumors and generate ad revenue despite absence of credible sources. Despite these reports, analyst Pshaw You expects Appleinsider's revenue to remain steady..."Despite the recent setbacks, we believe that Appleinsider's ability to generate rumors from re-hashed analyst speak provides a viable income stream for the rumor generator in these uncertain times."

BRAVO! I nominate "TheAnswer" for the "Post of the Year" award.

 

[hulugu]

Something I really don't understand, though it might at first seem to fly in the face of common sense, is why people want smaller, thinner, less substantial portable computers.

I can understand weight reduction -- nobody likes a heavy notebook.

I can understand conservation of physical mass -- nobody likes a fat notebook.

But even thinnner than they already are? Aren't they easy enough to damage as they presently are? How does making them thinner and lighter improve in this area? I mean, if Apple sold $300 laptops, then yeah, maybe it wouldn't matter too much if you dropped and killed it...However, getting back to the thinness factor, I mean just how thin does a notebook need to be? I own a PowerBook G4; I've owned an iBook G3 and I've used MacBooks sufficiently enough to not see a real benefit to be gained by going thinner. I also would see no benefit in going smaller, but that's a conversation for another time and place.

Well, wouldn't a thinner notebook be a conservation of physical mass? Ideally, you'd want a thin and light laptop that's just wide and deep enough for a decent sized monitor. Really, until you can unfold the monitor like an origami trick, that's going to be the inherent limit in the size of a laptop, so to make it occupy less physical space in a bag you have to make it thinner.

Now, since you can't have everything, making a laptop slightly thicker to make it stronger is a good trade-off, but that's not always necessary. As Anawrahta mentioned you can make a laptop out of different materials to solve the structural problem, carbon fiber, magnesium frames, etc.

Does the iPhone currently exist?

Last I checked OS X "Leopard" and iLife do exist. Oh, and it is 2007 by the way.

I think you missed IJ's point, which is simply:

Apple's sub-notebook is a rumor which may or may not actually exist, therefore claiming it's part of a pattern with Apple is putting the cart before the horse.

 

[Erasmus]

At least not according to this Digitimes article, which claims that Apple "is going to introduce mass production of its new series of notebooks in the second quarter."

Yes. You see, this really has nothing to do with subnotebooks, and everything to do with a wholly new designed Santa Rosa Macbook Pro! The redesigning was neccessary to accommodate the as yet to be released Radeon Mobility HD2600XT, Turbo Memory, LED backlit screen, bigger HDD, longer lasting battery, and brand new unreleased 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo Extreme mobile processor.

 

[DHUK]

Don't want one

Sorry Apple, I wouldn't be interested in something like this. I could imagine that a number of people would want one here but it's a product that is for a niché market.

Saying that, I'm not interested in the iPhone either - maybe I'm out of touch with what consumers want?

I'm looking for a refreshed SR MacBook. I'll gladly buy one before Leopard, please just refresh consumer hardware a little more often.

 

[mrthieme]

All these delays bring me to believe all new apple hardware is being optimized for Leopard.

I have the same impression. Leopard is crucial for us to see new hardware, and I mean new, not a proc speed bump.

 

[mgauss]

Oh well. I didn't expect a tiny Apple laptop anyway. I just want a MacBook Pro with a better screen. The 15-inch has a bad screen. And the MacBook is PLASTIC. Yuck.

I want an aluminum 13-inch MacBook. Any word on that?

-D

Why do you say the 15 has a bad screen? And is the 17 MBP also a bad one? I'm thinking of a 15 or 17 MBP these days.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Why do you say the 15 has a bad screen? And is the 17 MBP also a bad one? I'm thinking of a 15 or 17 MBP these days.

I bet they confuse the non-glossy screen as a "bad" screen. For the MBP, you have a choice between the non-glossy and glossy screens and they may only know about the non-glossy screens. Consumers tend to like the glossy screens, Pros tend to like the non glossy screens. I have both and I agree that the glossy screen looks nicer but when actually using it for hours, I prefer the non glossy screen. Both the 15' and 17' inch screens are excellent.

 

[Hattig]

Whoever wrote this story seems to have a serious misunderstanding about flash memory for caching certain data on a hard drive, and flash memory as a drive.

They seem to be implying that Santa Rosa is a subnotebook chipset. No. It is a full mobile chipset, and Apple will clearly be utilising it in the very near future in their normal notebook range otherwise their technology will fall behind their competitors'.

The subnotebook may be delayed, but that has nothing to do with Santa Rosa's feature set.

 

[iW00t]

I bet they confuse the non-glossy screen as a "bad" screen. For the MBP, you have a choice between the non-glossy and glossy screens and they may only know about the non-glossy screens. Consumers tend to like the glossy screens, Pros tend to like the non glossy screens. I have both and I agree that the glossy screen looks nicer but when actually using it for hours, I prefer the non glossy screen. Both the 15' and 17' inch screens are excellent.

The 15" suffers from graininess (no it is not the matte finish, the screens have a specular look to them especially apparent if you compare a matte 15" MBP to a matte 17" MBP)

The 17" has uneven backlighting.

Both the 15" and 17" inch screens are shitte. I have seen better screens on Dells and on HPs.

 

[Bern]

Hhmmm I recall mentioning in another thread not too long ago that if Apple did implement the SR technology it would not be until later in the year and someone telling me point blank I was wrong on both accounts.

What was I thinking????

 

[mkrishnan]

What was I thinking????

I think Hattig's post applies to yours. The subnotebook may or may not use Santa Rosa, but the adoption of it is appropriate for the larger notebooks as well... No reason to expect it to be delayed there because the subnotebook that supposedly exists has supposedly been delayed.

 

[iW00t]

Hhmmm I recall mentioning in another thread not too long ago that if Apple did implement the SR technology it would not be until later in the year and someone telling me point blank I was wrong on both accounts.

What was I thinking????

Apple does not necessarily need to implement SR in a subnotebook, so this delay, even if true, means nothing.

The current line of Macbook (Pros) are going to look pathetic once Dell starts shipping their SR based crap. It may be crap, but it is faster crap.