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Clamcase Laptop-Like Shell for the iPad
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I initially looked at this and thought it was great, now I'm not so sure. Besides typing, the second biggest advantage of a keyboard is keyboard shortcuts. Considering you can't use keyboard shortcuts with the crippled iPhone OS, it doesn't make loads of sense to carry a keyboard around unless you plan to do loads of typing.
Why not...?
The laptop isn't very useful if you pop off the display and try to use it sans keyboard/trackpad/mouse/etc.
In effect, that's something you can do with an iPad/ClamCase. Easily.
The laptop isn't very useful if you pop off the display and try to use it sans keyboard/trackpad/mouse/etc.
In effect, that's something you can do with an iPad/ClamCase. Easily.
When you don't want to use the ClamCase, you don't have to haul it around.
Try that with your laptop.
Maybe a 10-12 inch full-OS computer for less than $1k (ie. netbook), is what MacBookAir should have been from the beginning, and indeed still should be.
But I doubt that would happen so close to iPad's price point, now.
This case is a physical keyboard option in a clam-shell case. Not that much different from a keyboard dock-base, except that it folds like a laptop.
For someone who e-mails, or types a lot sometimes, but needs a simple web-based app terminal touchscreen most of the time... I can see how this would be somewhat compelling.
Who knows. Maybe ballast in the keyboard base of this shell is a supplemental battery.
The word, I believe, is: VERSATILITY. Something that is required to be the jack of several trades, while not being required to be the utmost master of them.
That is not to say that the MacBook Air or even base MacBook line shouldn't try to chase a little bit of netbook convenience of size for a full-OS machine. I think it should. And it should gain a microSIM slot for built in 3G service, if one wants the option. Maybe as an ExpressCard add-on or something, if not built into the hardware.
I think it is actually ugly and kind of defeats the purpose of being able to hold it in your hand(s) like a tablet.
Attachments
the ipad is the replacement for the "bad" netbook with "bad" keyboard an "bad" mini-notebook design, and then the "good" ipad is turned into a netbook because this is better???
this is so incredible absurd!
ps: even more absurd than this keynote speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FW-lrMXLBE
this is so incredible absurd!
ps: even more absurd than this keynote speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FW-lrMXLBE
It's not about that! It's the fact that your greasy grubby nubs are going to be basting and torquing the keys, putting pressure on them.
Do you have a MacBook? Hold it upside down and carry it with one hand so that it is on the keyboard. Yeah, think for a minute, that's not healthy for it at all.
I have an OS X netbook.
I agree. That's why I got myself a dell mini 9 and run 10.6 on it flawlessly. SL is the ultimate netbook OS. I dissagreed with Steve when he said netbooks aren't better at doing anything. For the same portability as an iPad, I have full OS X, office, flash, even photoshop running well enough to perform everyday tasks. You can even add an internal 3G card for mobile web.
Of course ergonomics arn't great, but i'd rather type and work on this that an iPad. Apple didn't make a netbook, so I decided to make my own.
I agree. That's why I got myself a dell mini 9 and run 10.6 on it flawlessly. SL is the ultimate netbook OS. I dissagreed with Steve when he said netbooks aren't better at doing anything. For the same portability as an iPad, I have full OS X, office, flash, even photoshop running well enough to perform everyday tasks. You can even add an internal 3G card for mobile web.
Of course ergonomics arn't great, but i'd rather type and work on this that an iPad. Apple didn't make a netbook, so I decided to make my own.
I like it , but the cost + and Ipad would be ridoicus so not really worth it! And why not a laptop
Yeah, perhaps a.....
MacBook Air ?
LOL. The iPad is fun to play with until you want to try to do actual work.
One day when I can just mooch off a trust fund I'll find the iPad all I need.
Sigh, until then I need something to WORK on.
100% agree on both. I just can't see the iPad being used like a serious work machine. It's got some potential, but we've a long way to go before it can be used for REAL WORK.
That case is going to cost a pretty penny given the cost of many 3rd party accessories. There's no reason to not look into a full 13" laptop if one were looking at this case and a reasonable iPad.
Insult to the netbooks and us
Whoever claims that this thing is just like a netbook - no netbook comes with 1GHz Cortex A8, a processor that is not suitable for desktop applications. Show me a netbook with 256MB!
There is this cute little thing, it's been around for a while - Always Innovating Touch Book. Apple could have learnt some basics, at least in terms of attaching the keyboard. Check out the amount of USBs on that thing, too!
I'm sorry, but if that's the best that you can come up with, perhaps you shouldn't try at all. ********* ********!
Whoever claims that this thing is just like a netbook - no netbook comes with 1GHz Cortex A8, a processor that is not suitable for desktop applications. Show me a netbook with 256MB!
There is this cute little thing, it's been around for a while - Always Innovating Touch Book. Apple could have learnt some basics, at least in terms of attaching the keyboard. Check out the amount of USBs on that thing, too!
I'm sorry, but if that's the best that you can come up with, perhaps you shouldn't try at all. ********* ********!
Answer this, oh wise one. What good would an iPhone be if the screen functioned less than half the time and only in certain areas?
Nice try, though.
Or . . . . you just bring the iPad.
Better yet, just get a BT keyboard and then you won't have to worry about spending your cash on something that will get annoying when you flip it around and have a keyboard underneath your hand.
Maybe a 10-12 inch full-OS computer for less than $1k (ie. netbook), is what MacBookAir should have been from the beginning, and indeed still should be.
But I doubt that would happen so close to iPad's price point, now.
This case is a physical keyboard option in a clam-shell case. Not that much different from a keyboard dock-base, except that it folds like a laptop.
For someone who e-mails, or types a lot sometimes, but needs a simple web-based app terminal touchscreen most of the time... I can see how this would be somewhat compelling.
Who knows. Maybe ballast in the keyboard base of this shell is a supplemental battery.
The word, I believe, is: VERSATILITY. Something that is required to be the jack of several trades, while not being required to be the utmost master of them.
That is not to say that the MacBook Air or even base MacBook line shouldn't try to chase a little bit of netbook convenience of size for a full-OS machine. I think it should. And it should gain a microSIM slot for built in 3G service, if one wants the option. Maybe as an ExpressCard add-on or something, if not built into the hardware.
Versatility is what the iPad already has since you can just call up the on screen keyboard, and if you need a bigger one, you pull out the BT Apple keyboard or keyboard dock. Or better yet, the MBA.
Either way, the iPad can't multitask like a netbook or MBA, even with iPhone OS4, it still won't do full multitasking.
The express card broadband thing is being done already, just that you can only get that option on the 17" MBP, everyone else needs the USB dongle.
reasons for this clamcase
For those who cannot understand the need for a keyboard--
the 64 GB or even the 32 GB Ipad can be the perfect computer for the undergrad student. The only problem is text input for papers.
Attach keyboard when you need to do heavy duty writing.
Detach when not needed or when you are going to class to do a powerpoint/keynote presentation.
It is also a protector, which I would get anyways to protect this investment. The next step would be of course, flawless voice dictation/navigation to replace the keyboard.
For those who cannot understand the need for a keyboard--
the 64 GB or even the 32 GB Ipad can be the perfect computer for the undergrad student. The only problem is text input for papers.
Attach keyboard when you need to do heavy duty writing.
Detach when not needed or when you are going to class to do a powerpoint/keynote presentation.
It is also a protector, which I would get anyways to protect this investment. The next step would be of course, flawless voice dictation/navigation to replace the keyboard.
You know, that was one of the first computers I owned. I was around 10 years old or so.
And I agree, having this completely beats the purpose of getting an iPad in the first place. Just get the dock/keyboard if you need the form factor, but carrying this thing around... please....
It's like selling an accessory for a Porsche 911 that turns it into an SUV.
Apart from being impossible, that would actually be cool...
What if I want a touch tablet 80% of the time and a laptop with keyboard for typing 20% of the time? I either buy both (for lots of $) or I buy an iPad and a case like this. Easy decision for me...