e-clipse said:
This makes my wait to purchase a little easier. The timing is great, since I am making my purchase for my fall 2006 semester. Woohoo!
Same here. I just bought a 1.5 GHz 12" Pb at the beginning of this school year, but next year I want something bigger, but I wasn't about to put down money on technology that hasn't changed greatly in 1-2 years. I mean the biggest jump has been from 1.4 Ghz a year ago to 2.16 Ghz today, while that is huge, it isn't assisted by a jump in HD Size, Form Factor, Battery Life. So, its not that different of a computer.
Yet, I was just thinking about all the new technologies buzzing around.
Merom Processor
64-Bit Technology
Touch Screens
LCD Keyboards
Much Longer Batteries
Hybrid HDDs with RAM in them
Pre-N Wireless
Now if a new Powerbook came out by end of summer with even half that technology, I would be thrilled; it would be a huge, yet understandable leap in laptop technology that would actually make me say its worth $2,000 or $3,000. Just picture these specs:
2.33 Ghz Dual-Core 64-Bit Processor
2 GB RAM, most likely even faster versions.
Energy efficient 150-200 GB HDs with 8-12 GB of RAM
A Touch Screen or a OLED Energy-Efficeint screen
LCD Keyboard
Dual Boot with Vista or Linux
802.11n Wireless with colossal range
Battery with 5-8 Hrs
And of course MagSafe charging port
Dual-DVI output, for triple screen action(ok dreaming)
But, this would completely redefine how a laptop would work. I mean most college students like to think they blur the line between normal laptop usage because of the flexibility they exercise with laptops, but its an allusion. The wireless range still makes it hard to get connection in many places, the battery often has to be charged after a measly 3-4 Hrs, which isn't good enough for any roaming gnome. The processor speed clearly impedes most application swiftness unless on full battery eating for breakfast "Better Performance" mode. And many people can't even fit their whole iPod collection along with personal documents onto a laptop unless they have the heavyweight 120 GB laptop, which only so far has trickled down into portable laptops.
But, ohh the possibilities of a laptop on steroids meaning more processor and battery, even if it isn't coming with an innovative device such as Tablet PCs. I would love a Mac Tablet PC, but I'll tell you instead of dreaming; being realistic means a laptop like that to me. Ohh I nearly forgot OS X.5, now that will be one hell of an upgrade to counter Vista. Apples got stuff cooking and I'll tell you that Intel Chip seems to be right in the middle of the kitchen, burning up a storm just like Apple did to that Intel guy in that commercial.