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Some Tidbits: Motherboard, Enclosure, LCDs

Dual cable theory

Here's my only guess on the dual USB/Firewire cable: it's for the iPod.

Think how much the iPod would sell if it supported USB (2.0 hopefully) and not just Firewire? (And Apple could still claim that FW is faster--even FW400 tests faster then USB 2.0.)

If my guess is right, then the other end of that cable will get a custom connector that may look like Firewire but is actually a custom connector for new iPods, and carries USB as well.

This cable might only be bundled with Windows iPods--but pre-Firewire iMacs, bronze PowerBooks, and iBooks all have USB and would be a market as well.

Why not just make a custom cable just for the USB, and ship two cables with the iPod? Maybe this is cheaper, or just simpler for the user.
 
Anyone think this new cable would be for the Keyboard. Just like it is now but it would also have a firewire port in it. That way you wouldn't have to fumble around to the back of the machine to get to the ports or buy a hub. Makes sense to me i know i think thats a pain in the ass.
 
Originally posted by Macpoops
Anyone think this new cable would be for the Keyboard. Just like it is now but it would also have a firewire port in it. That way you wouldn't have to fumble around to the back of the machine to get to the ports or buy a hub. Makes sense to me i know i think thats a pain in the ass.
Click to expand...

Makes sense, but only on the iMac ... on the PowerMac line, the keyboard in theory plugs into the ADC-connected monitor, right? I say in theory because my Macs are hooked up to a non-Apple monitor through a USB KVM these days, but before I needed the KVM I always plugged that little keyboard line into the side of the Apple monitor ...

Plus, a 5' keyboard cable? I mean, that's nice and all, but 90% of the time that'll just get in the way!

It also, of course, contradicts the prsistent BlueTooth mouse/keyboard rumors (although I hope the BT keyboard rumor proves false ... that's a security nightmare!)

Sounds more plausible than most ideas though I suppose ...
 
Maybe Recharge the bluetooth keyboard and mouse with firewire???????????? Could happen. more of a waste of a firewire port but hey the ipod travel adapters have it
 
Re: The 5x7x1" enclosure...

Originally posted by ncbill
An iPod docking station for the home stereo?
Click to expand...

Now I do LOVE that idea. I would buy an iPod if they came up with something like that. It would power the iPod and hook up to the extra inputs on the receiver.
 
Re: Some Tidbits: Motherboard, Enclosure, LCDs

Originally posted by Macrumors

Of most interest are that the previously reported new motherboard designs sport single and dual processor variants as well as are "larger, longer, and narrower"...
Click to expand...

Is it "larger, longer, and narrower", as in the form factor of a keyboard?

Or is it "larger, longer, and narrower", as in the form factor of a widescreen 17" LCD?

Keeping in mind how Apple's always been willing to play with case design, perhaps its time for the "the keyboard is the PC" design.

Or an iMac that has no need for a base...its just the LCD monitor/CPU, and a wireless keyboard/mouse...


Just highly speculative brainstorming...time will tell.


-hh
 
Re: 5x7x1 enclosure

I've said it before, but it'd still be great if Apple delivered something integrating thse capabiltites in the enclosure.

- Full OS X running on a 30GB+ Disk w/ 256 mb RAM.

- wireless 811.b, firewire, modem, USB

- CDMA phone

- bluetoothed headset or integrated mike & speaker used for cell phone, note recording, DVDs, MP3s.


- TiVo functionality w/ hookup to video/firewire for recording/playback and playback to the small integrated display.

--------------------------

How'd would it be used?

Multi-tasking as in taking a call, spontaneously choosing to record it, then link the recording (or parts of it) to datebook item(s)....

Or running a business mtg via a Keynote presentation/agenda on the integrated or external display or TV. Print via rendezvous wireless. Fax via cell phone! Mtg can be recorded with notes being generated via voice recognition (v2 feature!).

If Apple made this, they could charge $1200 for the 1st six months, and they could sell it for $800 after a year and rake in the profits at that level too.

Maybe not this year, but if Apple doesn't build this, someone else will within a few years.:p
 
Sing it with me . . .

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree!!!

(What, no ALL WHEEL DRIVE??? Does this thing defrost itself and clean itself too?)
 
Well I made this and posted it on another thread, but you guys might like it. It is made of card paper, and it is the same 5x7x1 dimensions as stated in the rumor. A little "prototype" of my own.
 

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Originally posted by jethroted
Well I made this and posted it on another thread, but you guys might like it. It is made of card paper, and it is the same 5x7x1 dimensions as stated in the rumor. A little "prototype" of my own.
Click to expand...

Really there is no need for a power cord. It could definitely be battery powered. Other than that great work though I doubt that Apple will ever do a panel computer or any other device that requires writing on the screen as the primary input. That is based on Steve Jobs saying, "who wants to have to write everything by hand". Maybe it will have a really really really good voice to text software.
 
Originally posted by MacBandit
Really there is no need for a power cord. It could definitely be battery powered. Other than that great work though I doubt that Apple will ever do a panel computer or any other device that requires writing on the screen as the primary input. That is based on Steve Jobs saying, "who wants to have to write everything by hand". Maybe it will have a really really really good voice to text software.
Click to expand...

Um, that is firewire, not a power cable. I don't think we would see a pda with a power cord. I'm not crazy. Also I don't think it will be much of an input device. I think it will be a media centre. Playing movies/music and going online.
 
Originally posted by jethroted
Um, that is firewire, not a power cable. I don't think we would see a pda with a power cord. I'm not crazy. Also I don't think it will be much of an input device. I think it will be a media centre. Playing movies/music and going online.
Click to expand...


Okay, if you say so. I'll just use my imaginationa and... yes... I'm starting to see it.... that power cord is magically becoming a firewire cord..... yes I got it now, it does provide power at least.
 
Originally posted by MacBandit
Okay, if you say so. I'll just use my imaginationa and... yes... I'm starting to see it.... that power cord is magically becoming a firewire cord..... yes I got it now, it does provide power at least.
Click to expand...

It really is firewire. If you can't tell the difference between a power cord and firewire, then you have not spent much time with mac computers. Anyone else here can see what it is. Just ask.
 
Originally posted by MacBandit
Okay, if you say so. I'll just use my imaginationa and... yes... I'm starting to see it.... that power cord is magically becoming a firewire cord..... yes I got it now, it does provide power at least.
Click to expand...

Nice picture, BTW...

In any event, this is along the lines of what I was thinking, if the 5x7x1 "device" is a tablet, although with one caveat, one question, and one observation:

The caveat: shouldn't an ultra-portable, ultra-interfacible system have some sort of "docking station" type of interface, either in addition to, or in lieu of the standard set of I/O plugs?

The question: could a single firewire interface plug perform this function?

The observation: contrary to what I just said above, with Airport & Bluetooth, all of the Base Station interfacing can probably be done wirelessly, right? This would imply that a "Cradle" would only need wires to provide recharging.


My perspective is that I'd be very much interested in a "Real Computer" sized mini-tablet that I can come back to my desk, drop the 5x7 into a PALM-like cradle that serves to interface it with my "Base Station" setup, which then provides a bigger display, keyboard & mouse, DVD-R/CD-RW, etc, etc.


-hh
 
Originally posted by jethroted
It really is firewire. If you can't tell the difference between a power cord and firewire, then you have not spent much time with mac computers. Anyone else here can see what it is. Just ask.
Click to expand...

I have had 5 Apple computers since 1993.

Performa 600
PowerMac 7100
PowerMac 8500
B/W G3 400
Dual/GHz/DDR

I also have a firewire cable setting right in front of me and the end is about the size of a usb cable end. Why is the one on your cable nearly the size of a standard power cord?
 
Originally posted by MacBandit
I have had 5 Apple computers since 1993.

Performa 600
PowerMac 7100
PowerMac 8500
B/W G3 400
Dual/GHz/DDR

I also have a firewire cable setting right in front of me and the end is about the size of a usb cable end. Why is the one on your cable nearly the size of a standard power cord?
Click to expand...

Because firewire has 2 sizes. Also you have to remember this is not exactly to scale. I threw this together in photoshop, and while the dimensions are 7x5x1, I had to shrink down the features on the side panel to fit. So they seem smaller than normal.
 

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Firewire Cables

You two are so funny. First off, don't make inflamatory remarks unless you KNOW you are right (and you DON'T unless you've seen every Firewire cable ever made). Guess what? There are two types of Firewire cords (now at least 3 with FW800).

One is the standard cable and the one with the smaller end plugs into cameras and the like to allow a smaller plug on the smaller peripheral. (Sony calls Firewire iLink and they VERY OFTEN use the smaller connections on their equipment.)
 
Re: Firewire Cables

Originally posted by BigJayhawk
You two are so funny. First off, don't make inflamatory remarks unless you KNOW you are right (and you DON'T unless you've seen every Firewire cable ever made). Guess what? There are two types of Firewire cords (now at least 3 with FW800).

One is the standard cable and the one with the smaller end plugs into cameras and the like to allow a smaller plug on the smaller peripheral. (Sony calls Firewire iLink and they VERY OFTEN use the smaller connections on their equipment.)
Click to expand...

Yes there are 3, but 800 just came out and no one I know uses it, so I didn't want to complicate things any further.
 
Yes

That post was more for MacBandit. I didn't mean you forgot FW800. The "you two are funny" goes along with the old adage "it takes two to argue" but all you were doing was stating the obvious about your picture.

Oh well. We REALLY need to get back to that release something new EVERY WEEK as we are all getting TOO BORED. Can you imagine if we held, say, General Motors, to the standard we're trying to get out of APPLE?

OK, GM, come out with a new vehicle about every WEEK or we'll start discussing possible future vehicles right down to the possible shape of the SPARK PLUG WIRES!!!

We at MR get so funny sometimes.
 
Re: Firewire Cables

Originally posted by BigJayhawk
You two are so funny. First off, don't make inflamatory remarks unless you KNOW you are right (and you DON'T unless you've seen every Firewire cable ever made). Guess what? There are two types of Firewire cords (now at least 3 with FW800).

One is the standard cable and the one with the smaller end plugs into cameras and the like to allow a smaller plug on the smaller peripheral. (Sony calls Firewire iLink and they VERY OFTEN use the smaller connections on their equipment.)
Click to expand...


Like duh. I know what all the plug designs look like. Don't make inflamatory remarks about someone unless you know there background.:p
 
Originally posted by jethroted
Because firewire has 2 sizes. Also you have to remember this is not exactly to scale. I threw this together in photoshop, and while the dimensions are 7x5x1, I had to shrink down the features on the side panel to fit. So they seem smaller than normal.
Click to expand...

It's got to be the the sized down connections that threw me then. The cable end from your pic looks damn near like the Apple power cord end for my monitor. It looks big and nearly square with rounded corners.
 
800x700 in 5x7x1"

FYI, an 800x600 display would fit nicely in a 5x7x1" device.

At 8" disagonal, the display would measure 4.8x6.4". It would be 125 DPI, comapred to 107 in the 12" laptops.

Or 640x480 would be 100 DPI at 8". Either size would be usable, and already supported by OS X.

Slightly smaller than 8" would fit even better.
 
cam perhaps?

Maybe it could be the infamous apple digital camera..the side with an open face could be for a picture viewer...
 
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