[Merged] Sony and Macbook KB Similarrities

M

macjay

macrumors 6502
ModNote: merged thread to discuss similarities between these keyboard designs, the calculator you had when you were a kid, the TRS-80 Color Computer, etc. :) --mkrishnan

Do you think that Apple got the idea for its MacBook keyboard from this 2004 Sony X505?

xx505px00.jpg


I never knew that Sony could build such a heinous-looking computer.
 
macjay said:
...I never knew that Sony could build such a heinous-looking computer.
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I quite like it. Sure the keyboard could move back to add a trackpad the screen ratio needs to go widescreen, but other than that (and the OS) I'd buy it.
 
macjay said:
Do you think that Apple got the idea for its MacBook keyboard from this 2004 Sony X505?
Click to expand...

This type of keyboard dates back a couple of decades prior to the Sony. For example, the IBM PCjr featured a chiclet type keyboard when it was first introduced in 1984.
 
NorCalLights said:
No.
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Well, the reason that I thought so, even though the "chiclet" keyboard is from the 80's, is that Apple pays alot of attention to Sony's designs, and seeing as how this was (from what I understand) the first time it was used on an Apple laptop, I don't think it's coincidence that it was on a Sony model a few years ago.
 
As the owner of an X505, I can say without a doubt that its better looking then any laptop Apple will ever make. There still has never been a production laptop that is thinner then it. Even though its on its last leg I still stick it in my bag once in a while because its just so teensy.
 
macjay said:
Just checked it out (http://oldcomputers.net/ibm-pcjr.html).

That keyboard makes me shiver.
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Hmmm..... we had one. Never had any problems with it.... but we had a corded keyboard and I don't remember what it looked like.

Had a TON of games for it - there is a blast from the past! It was my 2nd Computer, the first being the DEC Rainbow running CP/M. Only game i had for that was Adventure. But i had fun playing in Multi-Plan LOL!!!

ETA: After than I moved to a MacSE :D
 
New Sony Laptop Keyboard - WOW!!

fw_top_right_keys.jpg


I don't know where they got the idea for this new kind of funky keyboard (***looks down at iMac Alu Keyboard***shrugs***scratches head****) but it looks great.
 
a456 said:
I don't know where they got the idea for this new kind of funky keyboard (***looks down at iMac Alu Keyboard***shrugs***scratches head****) but it looks great.
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Sony would never copy a good idea. ;)
 
Sony's new tagline should be "Steal from the best and make it your own" :rolleyes:

I noticed the similarity the first time I saw a picture of Sony's new notebooks.
 
Sheesh I'm already majorly drooling over the vaio z series, this picture isn't helping curb the crave! :eek:
If the new macbooks look like that I'm selling mine tomorrow for a new one. God how I wish it ran Leopard, I'd get that machine in an instant. :eek:
 
a456 said:
I don't know where they got the idea for this new kind of funky keyboard (***looks down at iMac Alu Keyboard***shrugs***scratches head****) but it looks great.[/QUOTE]

They got the idea from their VAIO X505 way back in 2004. Remember [URL=http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/30/apple-recruiting-sony-vaio-engineers-to-build-the-first-intel/]this article[/URL] about Apple recruiting Sony VAIO engineers to make their next notebook? That notebook happened to be the MacBook with the x505 style keyboard.
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Fourty05 said:
Sheesh I'm already majorly drooling over the vaio z series, this picture isn't helping curb the crave! :eek:
If the new macbooks look like that I'm selling mine tomorrow for a new one. God how I wish it ran Leopard, I'd get that machine in an instant. :eek:
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Why would you want it to be less reliable :confused:

I have one on preorder.

As others have said, Sony have been doing this style of chiclet keyboard longer than Apple. Everything Apple knows about making laptops, they learned from them - and they're still the student to the master.
 
I love these threads - the fanboys who do no research and blindly believe that Apple invents everything never come back to eat the humble pie.

Damo
 
Sesshi said:
Why would you want it to be less reliable :confused:

I have one on preorder.

As others have said, Sony have been doing this style of chiclet keyboard longer than Apple. Everything Apple knows about making laptops, they learned from them - and they're still the student to the master.
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Student to the master? Work in electronics retail for any amount of time and see how many sonys get returned or come in with problems. I've owned two sonys and never again will I buy another. Sure they look very very nice, but they're over priced and come with numerous problems. I thought my first one was just a lemon and gave them a second shot 2 years later. Nope, same numerous problems (speakers dying, cd rom dying, and battery going after about a month of use).

The only time sony made a good pc was back in the pre-2002 era. They were great back then. If they made them today like they did back then I would have one as a windows machine.
 
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