Speculation About a 'MacBook Touch' Builds

[unclewinkie]

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I think this would be cool only if it was cheap

 

[SiliconAddict]

appearantly some people think so.

But they are not a mac, and i shutter to think how this works. Vista, Dell gotta have problems......

Sad part is, this is kinda what I was trying to describe, only a little smaller.... but still have th features of the first pic wher you can flip the screen and about the size of that first device but still have all the ports and a real keyboard/track pad for those who need it. Dang Dell, beat me to it - just not in size. but similar needing to run osx and smaller

*Edit - Crud -> I should not have read up on this thing... Now I want it, this exact one - but running OS X.. External opticle - ok I would settle for external, but it has an optional doc. http://www.gottabemobile.com/DellOfficiallyLaunchesXTTabletPC.aspx

Toshiba sells one with a build in DVD-+RW

Come on apple, do us one better, give us this, smaller, and running osx at a reasonable price.....

Vista is a fine OS as long as you have the hardware. SP1 with the various compatibility packs makes Vista compatible with most, but not all apps. That is where http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx come into play. Its free and as long as you have a license for XP you can run it alongside Vista. I have 2 apps from the late 90's that run in VPC on a 1.2Ghz ULV system. The above system you ref has a much more beefier CPU and memory then mine and even then my system is solid.

The convertible is the tablet of choice. If gives you the best of both worlds in regards to a touch screen and a keyboard.

PS- Sometime this fall when I upgrade my hard drive I'm going to see if I can get Leopard running on this tablet. Its a geek thing. I just want to see if it can be done. The guts of the system are the same in the Mac Mini. The CPU is a bit slower, however the GPU, chipset, audio, NIC, but not the WIFI card are all the same (And I can buy a broadcom card to make it compatible.) The screen is a wacom touchscreen so I have to imagine Wacom drivers "should" work on this. Key word "should"

Again I got this: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablet-pcs/gateway-e-155c/4505-3126_7-32425733.html

for $600 from their referb site. + $200 for a 3 year warranty. The system was never used. The U of MN ordered one of these, Gateway sent 2. The second one got sent back, and went on the referb site. So I got a $1200+ tablet for around $800 all told. With 3GB of RAM, a 7200RPM drive, and a 1.2Ghz ULV processor.

PS- Let the fanbois start the screeching about OMG OMG breaking your license agreement! I have better things to do then worry if I'm going to heck over a EULA for an OS that I did purchase and won't stay on the system longterm.

 

[Claypidgeon]

I threw this on my blog page today, but it seemed appropriate to add to the discussion...

<...>

If anyone has experimented with the current version of the iPhone software (2.0) with the new application store, or even more specifically the iPhone simulator that comes with the iPhone SDK, can you imagine being able to run a bunch of iPhone application simultaneously on a larger touch screen device? This would get rid of the "background application" problem that the iPhone currently has, because all of these little "light" applications could run simultaneously in their own little iPhone simulator.

Come to think of it, Apple's recent progress into resolution independance fits in here too. Most of the Apple rumor community has been focusing on the fact that with resolution independance you could run very large, high pixel density displays from a conventional OS X system without having any ill effects on the user interface experience. What if another use is to take applications that were written for a smaller screen (iPhone) and seamlesly display them on a larger display (MacBook Touch)? How awesome would that be?

Finally, with the addition of MobileMe into Apple's set of tools at their disposal to integrate the entire "Apple Experience", you can imagine the push syncing capability for one more thing: applications. Imagine if your user account on the MacBook Touch were able to sync with your iPhone application wirelessly over the cloud. You're out and about using your iPhone all day, reading rss feeds, taking notes, writing blog entries with WordPress, and then you get home. You pick up your MacBook Touch, and there all of your familiar applications are in the same state as they were on the iPhone.

<...>

It seems like there are a lot of trends converging that point to this device... one can only hope

 

[iAlan]

While I think this is a great idea, I don't think Apple will incorporate 3G - unless I don't have to pay for the built in 3G if I already have an iPhone (use the same number and all) - and if Apple do incorporte 3G they would have to offer the device without it as there are many out there that don't need this on a "laptop".

However, I would like to see the "official" ability to tether an iPhone to a MB/MBP/MBT instead of built in 3G.

Sorry, haven't read all the posts so don't know if someone has mentioned the HP Touchsmart PC

 

[DanielQ]

Am I the only one who doesn't think it will be some kind of tablet? The tablet seems too similar to a regular macbook. It doesn't strike me as a product that will make it "impossible for others to compete," or whatever.

I get the feeling it will be something else.

I don't have any basis for this, but what about revamping the apple tv into a dvr or something? No real basis for that but I just feel that a tablet is too close to existing products and wouldn't really offer anything that would radically change the market as one would expect from a new product line.

 

[Vaphoron]

Apple better release one this time around because I'm just sick and tired of hearing the rumors and getting my hopes up. They need to add more support for the multi-touch trackpad on the MBP and throw one on the MB while they are at it.

 

[digitalbiker]

The macbook touch is an interesting idea but I am in the crowd that doesn't see much market for this.

It seems like the iphone, ipod touch covers the small portable pda market. MBA covers the ultra light weight portable.
MB covers the standard laptop market.
MBP covers the pro laptop market.

If you don't use a stylus, it won't be much good for graphics work or handwriting.

You need a fine point stylus and a high-res display to make a reasonable attempt at a handwriting pad or a graphics tablet. Otherwise your notes and drawings look like they were made with a pre-school crayon as thick as your thumb on a big chief tablet.

 

[Soreo]

To be quite honest, I'm not quite digging the fact that it may have a touch-screen keyboard.
As I am a very, very proud owner of an iPhone 3G and its lovely virtual keys, I just don't dig it on a laptop. I can type much, much faster on an actual physical keyboard, and this is a weird preference but I like being able to feel the keys.
Even if you CAN connect it to a keyboard, I wouldn't. I don't understand a point to that.
If they make it super cool and the keyboard enjoyable, then who knows- I need a mac anyway. No offense to my PC- but macs just... work.

 

[toujames]

hope not

Hmm..

This makes me think that maybe this is the replacement for the macmini?
it would have all the normal features and specs as a mini, but has a touch screen and obviously different form factor. But like a mini, you can plug into a TV/Monitor and attach a keyboard/mouse, and voila!

I like the mac mini as it is only if it has an hdmi because I was plannig to use a mac mini for my home media center.

 

[Beric]

Am I strange in that I really don't find this attractive?

My keyboard and mouse/trackpad serve me perfectly. All I really want to see are increased specs; ect. Touch-screen devices seem to be made more for when you can't carry around a keyboard or mouse, like the iPhone or iPod Touch. It's kinda hard to see a "Macbook Touch" being any better than what we have now, beyond the "cool" factor.

 

[fleshman03]

Well bye-bye Newton 2.0.

Anyway, I have a hard time believing that Mac OS X, in its current state, would be useful in a tablet. The user interface is not designed for multi-touch, and its hardware requirements mean that a device would be expensive, underpowered (MacBook Air), or both.

Laptop mode: Mac OS X, Tablet mode: iPhone OS?

That I would get.

This picture has been posted on here before, but I think you mean something like this:

Notice the addition of the iPhone apps to the tablet. That would make sure it can be useful as just a tablet.

hopefully you could dock it with another computer kinda like what other people have been saying.

Exactly

I bet its going to be none of this. Something more radically different than what is already out there. Everything people are talking about on here is just a mish mash of stuff already out there. What I believe they may release is something between an imac and a mac mini and iPod touch. Touch screen mac with more powefull mac mini brains than what is out right now and it could detach from its base and be able to work on on the go but serve as your main computer? what do you think?

That is the point of this patent.

If you look close, there is two parts to the tablet. That means it would have a built in keyboard. It could serve as a full replacement for a regular computer. Personally, I don't think Apple will do a swivel screen. More likly it will be a pop forward device that will allow the screen to slide over the keyboard.

Like this:

My thought is that this next big thing will take this shape:

Possibly with all the guts of a computer in the portable side. All the peripherals in the docking station. Time Machine+draft N (with a larger hard drive than the one in the tablet) additional bluetooth receiver for keyboard and mouse, USB hub and larger, more powerful speakers. These additions would fit well with the all in one philosophy that Apples likes and really clean up a few desks.

But still nothing more than a fanboys wet dream.

Does it look sexy? Yes!

Would I buy it? Definitely, if I could spare the money!

Would it be useful? No way

It would be quite useful if implemented in the correct way. If Apple works with this patent, it can get the people who want something in between a desktop/laptop/tablet. Working fully to transition their line into something new entirely.

 

[leekohler]

This picture has been posted on here before, but I think you mean something like this:

<snip>

Thank you. That's why I posted this article and photo earlier. It's a great idea. I'd get one for sure. I've always been a desktop/laptop guy, but this would change my mind.

 

[dosa]

An iPod touch on steroids

I think that many of you with a downer on this device are seeing it as a crap cut-down Mac. Microsoft have tried this with laptop-sized tablets and its not very interesting. Instead you should think of it as an iPod touch on steroids.

IMHO it will ideally be the size of a slim paperback book with a 6 to 8 inch screen. It will do everything the iPod touch does, but do it better. The extra screen size will enhance viewing photos and movies, make typing a little easier, and make web browsing (including mobile me apps) and reading books (well reference, notes etc, perhaps not novels) pleasurable.

And this is pure speculation but I would love it to have an OLED screen. Pioneering OLED touch-screens could be the very transition that was mentioned to be taking a hit on Apple's profits. It would massively increase the device's battery power and make it slimmer, brighter and more contrasty. Don't know if the technology's available yet, though.

I want one and I want it now!

 

[fleshman03]

Thank you. That's why I posted this article and photo earlier. It's a great idea. I'd get one for sure. I've always been a desktop/laptop guy, but this would change my mind.

NP. That's why I though I'd put all those pics on one post. It makes the case much better than I could with words.

Hope you're not upset that I took some pictures off your article.

And as for combining the desktop and notebook ... it's the best way to make a tablet useful to the masses IMHO.

Also, I think there might be a slight chance of the tablet having a SSD and a larger, HD in the central unit. (not really a docking station, is it?) But it might kill the pricing.

I've read an article, not sure if it's yours or not, but it said something about the central unit having another processor and GPU. imagine that. 1 maybe 2 GPUs and possibly 4 cores when docked. Isn't that where the MacBook Pro is supposed to be in a few months to a years time?


Besides, the cinema displays haven't been updated for a while. This might just fill that void. (or at least in the lower end)

 

[AW.kennedy]

just a thought

i called the apple store UK (based in Ireland)

basically i was asking about the refurbished models of the macbook pros because I wasnt sure whether they just had a scrolling trackpad or the new multitouch trackpads, which the pro models now have.

anyway - the guy on the phone kept saying, he thought as the latest model it should have the touch screen. I was wondering if perhaps he had some training that might have confused him about the latest version of the macpro?

i dunno - its probably just a confused worker.. but i can speculate anyway lol

 

[LiveForever]

I also don't think it will be a BIG tablet.

People are turned off computers and apple has dropped the "computer" from its name.

I think it will be a Blackberry sized uber pda with powerful processor for multi tasking.


Something consumer and mass market oreintated. A computer is seen as boring and not sexy.

Apple are reinventing the game so it won't be just a touch screen tablet. It will leverage off iphone to create a system of complimentary products.Apple TV will fit in somehow-that is a sleeper who's time will come.

And fiinlly you won't be able to use a lap top sized thing as a phone. Apple HAVE to consolidate their presence in the mobile phone market. They could loose all they have gained very quickly so they need another chink in the armour.

I am sure this will have phone capability.

 

[clu10]

imho this new product wouldn't be marketed as a "one and only" device. It's designed to complement the living room while sitting on your couch or going mobile to the office etc.

actually tablets are marketed toward, visual artist or so they can save there work onto the computer with out having to contantly redraw, or scan thier work. it's also for use by buisness men who wrote quick notes on the screen, so it can be saved or converted later. it only recently became availible on entertainment laptops, mainly cause it's cool

 

[clu10]

Maybe I'm missing something, but I fail to see the use of this type of product, beyond the corporate/business customer. What could I use this in my home for, that I can't do with any other regular mac or macbook or iphone?
I just don't see myself walking around with a tablet just to browse the net. The keyboard will be a touch keypad, which is not conducive to long typing sessions, so its use would be limited to touch-friendly apps like a browser, sms, light email, etc... just like the iphone.

Where does this product fit?

Any ideas what the market for this will be? Am I missing a key use for this product?

it can be used for artist who prefer to draw digitally for conveniance, because scanning art can sometimes diminish it's original quality. if you pay attention wacom computer tablets are mostly marketed toward 3d animators and other professions of that sort

 

[clu10]

Why would Apple re-invent what is already been done. that is not apple's style. I think if anything; would could see the aquisition of Axiotron and then Apple selling an updated version of the modbook under the Apple name.

hmmm, yeah why would apple re-invent whats already been done, like why copy those losers at asus by making a ultraportable, and they MUST still have issues with motorola for making a phone, i mean c-mon it's already been done. they even put touch screens on the phone, GOD HAVENT THEY HEARD OF TRACKPADS!!!!!!!! AND THEY MADE THE IPOD AFTER MP3-PLAYERS CAME OUT. and i hear thier gonna start adopting intels new processors AFTER sony annouced thier new vaios.

GOD WHEN WILL APPLE GET SOME ORIGINALITY.

seeing as you seem to of been around long enough to know the companies style. i'll leave this arguement alone, but keep in mind ppl would be more inclined to buy a mac from apple than Axiotron which probably be better seeing as it would be engineered by the company itself which means it would likely have better or more features , but i dont completely disagree, i think an aquisition could be likely.

 

[Snowcat001]

Would be nice if the macbook touch would come in october, ipods in september.
So i'd say.. new laptops in august

 

[leekohler]

NP. That's why I though I'd put all those pics on one post. It makes the case much better than I could with words.

Hope you're not upset that I took some pictures off your article.

And as for combining the desktop and notebook ... it's the best way to make a tablet useful to the masses IMHO.

Also, I think there might be a slight chance of the tablet having a SSD and a larger, HD in the central unit. (not really a docking station, is it?) But it might kill the pricing.

I've read an article, not sure if it's yours or not, but it said something about the central unit having another processor and GPU. imagine that. 1 maybe 2 GPUs and possibly 4 cores when docked. Isn't that where the MacBook Pro is supposed to be in a few months to a years time?


Besides, the cinema displays haven't been updated for a while. This might just fill that void. (or at least in the lower end)

Yes- that's the article. Thanks for mentioning more of it. Like I said, I think it's a brilliant idea and I'd definitely get one. It would serve my needs perfectly.

 

[137489]

Vista is a fine OS as long as you have the hardware. SP1 with the various compatibility packs makes Vista compatible with most, but not all apps. That is where http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx come into play. Its free and as long as you have a license for XP you can run it alongside Vista. I have 2 apps from the late 90's that run in VPC on a 1.2Ghz ULV system. The above system you ref has a much more beefier CPU and memory then mine and even then my system is solid.

The convertible is the tablet of choice. If gives you the best of both worlds in regards to a touch screen and a keyboard.

PS- Sometime this fall when I upgrade my hard drive I'm going to see if I can get Leopard running on this tablet. Its a geek thing. I just want to see if it can be done. The guts of the system are the same in the Mac Mini. The CPU is a bit slower, however the GPU, chipset, audio, NIC, but not the WIFI card are all the same (And I can buy a broadcom card to make it compatible.) The screen is a wacom touchscreen so I have to imagine Wacom drivers "should" work on this. Key word "should"

Again I got this: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablet-pcs/gateway-e-155c/4505-3126_7-32425733.html

for $600 from their referb site. + $200 for a 3 year warranty. The system was never used. The U of MN ordered one of these, Gateway sent 2. The second one got sent back, and went on the referb site. So I got a $1200+ tablet for around $800 all told. With 3GB of RAM, a 7200RPM drive, and a 1.2Ghz ULV processor.

PS- Let the fanbois start the screeching about OMG OMG breaking your license agreement! I have better things to do then worry if I'm going to heck over a EULA for an OS that I did purchase and won't stay on the system longterm.

Hardware-wise - it does look like a nice capable machine (although CPU could be a little better). has everything that everyone wants, including the ports. the Dell that is, not the Gateway....

Company-wise - well, I got such crappy service from Dell I would not touch this thing with a 10 ft pole.

OS-wise - Probably would have to have Vista Ultimate to get all you need. I do not know how Vista is with SP1 is. However I still run XP and have switched 90% over to Mac OS X apps. I like mac so much, that MS would have to offer something totally revolutionary (that works) in order for me to switch back (or Apple would have to screw up royally) - even then I would be hard pressed. Yeah, the last few years of looking at apple and now that I have my macbook - I am becoming a fanboy. I also have the omni products, iwork, cp notebook, etc; and I am enjoying working with those heavily.

Please post back or email me if you do get OSX working on this thing. would be interesting to see someone running OSX in a virtial PC; rather than windows through VM or parallels (I am using parallels for my specialized apps for work).

I think apple would be good to sell the mac osx to run on PC's (let the hardware company worry about drivers and support). I think you would see Apple usage spike big time. then when they get sick of the hardware issues, they will buy a real apple just for the end-to-end solution.

that would satisfy a lot of people on this board, but then again it would initially hurt apple hardware sales.

Wouldn't that be interesting MS adopting the end-to-end like Apple does now and Apple saying, ok you want to run the OS on a non-Apple, here you go I think the world would tilt on its axis.

on a side note, I tweaked my dell. I installed RKlauncher, applied few patches that make the start button an apply logo, a few patches to give the windows the brushed alluminum look with the round min/max/close buttons, the aqua looking scroll bars and ok/cancel buttons, also used the leopard wall paper, downloaded the jaguar soundpack, and applied the mouse changes to point the mouse the other way and give the spinning beachball instead of the hour glass. I even put an apple sticker over the Dell Logo. Yep - I became a fanboy

So you may asked why did I do it, well the dell has issues (I had hardware issues since day 1; 2 years ago) and I have a feeling it may suffer a slow horrible death. So I paid for the thing, might as well enjoy some use out of it while I still have to.

 

[137489]

Hardware-wise - it does look like a nice capable machine (although CPU could be a little better). has everything that everyone wants, including the ports. the Dell that is, not the Gateway....

Company-wise - well, I got such crappy service from Dell I would not touch this thing with a 10 ft pole.

OS-wise - Probably would have to have Vista Ultimate to get all you need. I do not know how Vista is with SP1 is. However I still run XP and have switched 90% over to Mac OS X apps. I like mac so much, that MS would have to offer something totally revolutionary (that works) in order for me to switch back (or Apple would have to screw up royally) - even then I would be hard pressed. Yeah, the last few years of looking at apple and now that I have my macbook - I am becoming a fanboy. I also have the omni products, iwork, cp notebook, etc; and I am enjoying working with those heavily.

Please post back or email me if you do get OSX working on this thing. would be interesting to see someone running OSX in a virtial PC; rather than windows through VM or parallels (I am using parallels for my specialized apps for work).

I think apple would be good to sell the mac osx to run on PC's (let the hardware company worry about drivers and support). I think you would see Apple usage spike big time. then when they get sick of the hardware issues, they will buy a real apple just for the end-to-end solution.

that would satisfy a lot of people on this board, but then again it would initially hurt apple hardware sales.

Wouldn't that be interesting MS adopting the end-to-end like Apple does now and Apple saying, ok you want to run the OS on a non-Apple, here you go I think the world would tilt on its axis.

on a side note, I tweaked my dell. I installed RKlauncher, applied few patches that make the start button an apply logo, a few patches to give the windows the brushed alluminum look with the round min/max/close buttons, the aqua looking scroll bars and ok/cancel buttons, also used the leopard wall paper, downloaded the jaguar soundpack, and applied the mouse changes to point the mouse the other way and give the spinning beachball instead of the hour glass. I even put an apple sticker over the Dell Logo. Yep - I became a fanboy

So you may asked why did I do it, well the dell has issues (I had hardware issues since day 1; 2 years ago) and I have a feeling it may suffer a slow horrible death. So I paid for the thing, might as well enjoy some use out of it while I still have to.

Here I go quoting myself again......

What would be interesting would be if Apple were to say. "So you want to run OSX on a PC" ok, compromise:

All new OS's must be on an apple product.

All older OS's (like Tiger - the intel version), ok run that.

This way people buy a new computer (hardware) for the latest and newest. then those who don't want or can't afford a newer computer (or people who are passing computers down to lower users like their kids [or my wife who really does not do much but surf the net at home]) can have the osx they want.

It would be a pain to support 2 OS's at the same time, but... I think what you would get would be everyone has an apple and with the little increase in revenue - then apple could drop their prices a bit.

of course to get around hacking, you would have to do what Dell did. Encode the CD's to look for a special Dell chip. if it does not have the chip - it will not install. therefore you would not have people installing the newest OS on a NON-APPLE.

 

[shen]

i reject your reality and substitute my own

Vista is a fine OS as long as you have the hardware.

sorry, i had to stop reading there, as your claim in no way matches my own personal experience with reality.....

 

[Vulpinemac]

I also don't think it will be a BIG tablet.

People are turned off computers and apple has dropped the "computer" from its name.

I think it will be a Blackberry sized uber pda with powerful processor for multi tasking.


Something consumer and mass market oreintated. A computer is seen as boring and not sexy.

Apple are reinventing the game so it won't be just a touch screen tablet. It will leverage off iphone to create a system of complimentary products.Apple TV will fit in somehow-that is a sleeper who's time will come.

And fiinlly you won't be able to use a lap top sized thing as a phone. Apple HAVE to consolidate their presence in the mobile phone market. They could loose all they have gained very quickly so they need another chink in the armour.

I am sure this will have phone capability.

I honestly hope you're wrong about a Blackberry-sized thing. Honestly, it would be too small to be truly useful, though I admit it would be portable. But Apple already has something in that general size range: the iPhone and iPod Touch.

On the other hand, if it were about the size of a trade paperback--say about 6"x8"--with the Touch's rotation and a full version of OS X, the device would be much, much more useful in nearly every aspect of home and business. Giving it real computing power rather than the cut-down version in the Touch would send this device far beyond anything now using Windows Mobile.

Something consumer and mass market oreintated. A computer is seen as boring and not sexy.

If this is your viewpoint, I don't think this device will be for you. Apple is noted for making a computer more than just boring, just as Apple has made the iPhone something more than just a phone. Again, they were not first at this, but they've made the cell phone something sexy AND useful. As a result, an Apple tablet will be more than just a computer and has no need to include a phone capability. This device has the potential to be "All Things For All People." But I honestly don't expect people to agree.