***Stunning*** Toshiba with best competition so far? Power and LIGHTEST 13" Notebook!

[Jobsian]

Just caught this at Engadget link. Interestingly, the source of this info has requested the original website with the info to remove it, which they have.

Not since the Vaio Z has a 13" notebook had me salivating like a mule. Ok I'll summarise what I'm finding exciting as rumored:

• LIGHTEST 13" Notebook at <1kg (<2.3lbs) - Remember MBA is 3lbs and Adamo XPS (while superthin) is 3.2lbs. Vaio X is 1.6lbs though is 11"
• Core i3, i5 AND i7 Options! They have mentioned i7-620 but not whether M or UM (big difference in TDP and Clock speed) EDIT - MUST be the i7-620M as it says "Standard Voltage CPU" - this means 2.66-3.33 GHz Clock!!
• 512GB SSD - Fierce
• 4GB RAM
• "Super Charged ion Battery" - Apparently charges from 0 to 90% in prototypes in less than 10 MINUTES!
• Blaze Mountain CPU cooling" - No info RE what this actually is but any new cooling approach is good news - This could well be the key to the entire system, I can't wait to find out what this is
• USB 3.0 - Yes please!
• "Long battery life" - no further details

The major excitement here for me is that it demonstrates plausibility for major hardware upgrades on the MBA - and the exact reason why I won't buy this before seeing Apple's MBA update is the biggest likely weakness for this system (for me) - No OSX.

Bring on WWDC!

Summary retrieved by Engadget:

 

[ermir4444]

I just saw this at engaged and omg its stunning from the shots. And whats more stunning about it is that you will have full powered core i3,i5,i7 in a notebook that weighs 1 kg and its probably crazy thin as well (to achieve the weight). This is really revolutionary quite different from Steve's definition of revolutionary. You heard that Stevey, You better get moving on that new MacBook Air if there will be one...

 

[Huubster]

The major excitement here for me is that it demonstrates plausibility for major hardware upgrades on the MBA - and the exact reason why I won't buy this before seeing Apple's MBA update is the biggest likely weakness for this system (for me) - No OSX.

Bring on WWDC!

Considering the very recent and underwhelming upgrade to the 13" MBP, I think it is unlikely that an (uncertain) WWDC MBA upgrade will come even close to this.

 

[Schtumple]

We'll never see a mac compete with this, Apple are slowly making it clear the iPhone OS is their current project, mac will be taking the back benches for a long time to come.

 

[bigjnyc]

I just saw this at engaged and omg its stunning from the shots. And whats more stunning about it is that you will have full powered core i3,i5,i7 in a notebook that weighs 1 kg and its probably crazy thin as well (to achieve the weight). This is really revolutionary quite different from Steve's definition of revolutionary. You heard that Stevey, You better get moving on that new MacBook Air if there will be one...

it will be years before Apple catches up these specs, at the pace they update.

 

[entatlrg]

We'll never see a mac compete with this, Apple are slowly making it clear the iPhone OS is their current project, mac will be taking the back benches for a long time to come.

Why would you say that, or what facts do you base your statements on?

MacBooks are VERY popular with respectable double digit growth EVERY quarter, a LOT of Apple is the MacBook/MBP line.

Yes, the iPhone, iPad, App Store are wildly popular and profitable but to think Apple is going to let their notebook line become antiquated or fade away is ridiculous.

It's only a tiny .01% of Mac owners that hang out in tech forums discussing tech and spec's to no end. EVERYONE else, Joe Consumer is 'wow'd by the nice screen, silver/aluminum color, less virus's and problems and many more who don't won a mac wish for one but price and/or reliance on windows holds them back.

A lot of people now own and bought MacBooks because they bought an iPhone and really liked it.

It should be noted these wild profits from the iPhone/iPad/App Store and all Apple's CASH could / should and certainly WILL help fund and take the MBP's to levels we've only dreamed of.

Job's isn't an innovation slouch, he has money, a vengeance of sorts towards windows and it's hardware, he'll be sure he keep's 'all the plates spinning'.

Realistically, if the MacBook Air dies it will be because something replaces it, or eliminates the need to manufacture it .... maybe a major upgrade to the 13" MBP negates the need for an MBA such as shaving a pound off the 13" MBP and adding iSeries processors?

I wouldn't worry, but it's sure something to wonder about and the waiting is long ... have to give it time while the iPad enjoys the spotlight ... so I think it could be a long while yet before we see something 'shocking' in the 13" class.

My 2C.

 

[PsyD4Me]

Goodbyer air, I just don't see where it will fit anymore

 

[Raje]

This toshiba looks good but I would have to read some reviews on it after it comes out before I would buy it. Some major factors in my decision would be:
Build Quality
Amount of heat generated
How many charges the battery is good for
Graphics Power intel igp=no buy

 

[Huubster]

Why would you say that, or what facts do you base your statements on?

MacBooks are VERY popular with respectable double digit growth EVERY quarter, a LOT of Apple is the MacBook/MBP

Correct.

Yes, the iPhone, iPad, App Store are wildly popular and profitable but to think Apple is going to let their notebook line become antiquated or fade away is ridiculous.

Well. Some aspects of it are already antiquated. Especially the underwhelming 13" MP upgrade is technologically lagging years behind.

It's only a tiny .01% of Mac owners that hang out in tech forums discussing tech and spec's to no end. EVERYONE else, Joe Consumer is 'wow'd by the nice screen, silver/aluminum color, less virus's and problems and many more who don't won a mac wish for one but price and/or reliance on windows holds them back.

Correct, except pricing/hw value is very high.

A lot of people now own and bought MacBooks because they bought an iPhone and really liked it.

Yep. Thats what you get when people get buzzed by a brand.

It should be noted these wild profits from the iPhone/iPad/App Store and all Apple's CASH could / should and certainly WILL help fund and take the MBP's to levels we've only dreamed of.

There is nothing enlightened or idialistic about Apple, it's all money destined for certain peoples pocktes, just like in any other succesfull company.

Job's isn't an innovation slouch, he has money, a vengeance of sorts towards windows and it's hardware, he'll be sure he keep's 'all the plates spinning'.

He is very inovative when it comes to thinking of funky things that bind people to them.

Realistically, if the MacBook Air dies it will be because something replaces it, or eliminates the need to manufacture it .... maybe a major upgrade to the 13" MBP negates the need for an MBA such as shaving a pound off the 13" MBP and adding iSeries processors?

Wishfull thinking?

I wouldn't worry, but it's sure something to wonder about and the waiting is long ... have to give it time while the iPad enjoys the spotlight ... so I think it could be a long while yet before we see something 'shocking' in the 13" class.

My 2C.

I have no confidence, but otherwise agreed. This new Toshiba is what the MBA should have been. Check all the MBA wishlists from before the MBP upgrade, and it is pretty much this what people wished. Only a very small possibility we will get this as well. And if not, everybody will go hum and yeah and continue to be satisfied with their MBA, right?

 

[Huubster]

This toshiba looks good but I would have to read some reviews on it after it comes out before I would buy it. Some major factors in my decision would be:
Build Quality
Amount of heat generated
How many charges the battery is good for
Graphics Power intel igp=no buy

This is a sensible reaction

 

[waloshin]

Meh, it will cost $2000. not worth it to me.

 

[Scottsdale]

Nice find Jobsian. You're always good for a thread or two per week, and you didn't disappoint with this one.

A lot of this seems too good to be true... I remember thinking that when the v 2,1 MBA was introduced. Back then, compared to the MB, the MBA was nice and similar except portability, but compared to other ultraportables, the MBA was INCREDIBLE! There was no competition for the v 2,1 MBA. The original MBA failed to meet the claims of Apple as it wasn't really Mac capable. But the 2,1 MBA had everything one could expect from a Mac and more.

I am not putting it past Apple to make such an MBA in Early 2011, but I have ZERO hope for an MBA this year as we can look to the recent MBP update and see ZERO INNOVATION! For the first time I can recall, the MBP updates had ZERO innovation improvements in the update. Thinking about how a company could achieve standard voltage CPUs in an ultraportable that weighs two pounds and is that thin, is amazing. Remember back two years ago Apple was submitting several liquid cooling patent applications for its notebooks. Then there were several more apps last Summer. I have learned over the years that inside information on early prototype testing takes one year or more before it gets released in a product. I believe these patent apps seem to turn up two years before a product is released.

I believe a lot of trade secrets are stolen from insiders at companies and sold to competition. We also see a lot of direct copying of new technology from one product maker to the next. While using a Core i7-620m sounds great in an ultraportable, even if it could be cooled, it's going to use a lot more battery tech than is currently capable to achieve a 5-hour battery. I think the Core i7-620m might be the only standard voltage used and sold as BTO for someone who is happy with a 2-hour battery... especially if it could be charged in ten minutes. I guess the point is if another company can do this, APPLE CAN COPY IT! If Apple doesn't have the resources to care about its Macs anymore, as it's too damned focused on iPhone OS products, then I guess we can just hope Apple copies an ultraportable like this for its next MBA. It's sorta sad to say it, but with the iPhone OS products, Apple has lost its way as a computer company.

I agree with the few posters here that say Apple is now so far behind the competition, or that it's focused on iPhone OS products, or that it doesn't seem to care about the MBA. It is true as Apple hasn't upgraded the MBA since its v 2,1 introduction in October 2008. A lot can happen in 19 months, and in this case the whole competition has caught up in 19 months.

Apple should deliver this product as the v 3,1 MBA at WWDC. It would be great if Jobs had "one more thing" to show us. However, with the recent Macs from Apple, and the complete lack of innovation for recent Mac upgrades, and the long time between updates, I say there is almost ZERO possibility that the next MBA will compete with such an ultraportable. Isn't it sad that Apple has decided to forget about the MBA for so long? For 19 months, the MBA has stayed nearly exactly the same. 19 months is an eternity in the technology age. We can look at this competing ultraportable to see just how badly our innovative Apple has lost its way... too focused on its damned iPhone OS products!

 

[H00513R]

Looks great, but I won't hold my breath. HP and MS both have bowed out for now and I want to see it actually ship before I comment on how this will affect Apple.

 

[chrono1081]

It doesn't run OSX so its virtually useless for me.

Nice specs but the OS is what matters to me. People can chase hardware all day but I'm not going back to an OS that has no built in RAID support, no built in ISO support, no built in Dictionary, no built in spell check, no built in differential backup, no multiple desktop support, etc etc...

 

[tigres]

I have never seen a good looking Toshiba laptop.

This appears pretty slick from the limited shot(s)/photo(s), however who knows how the quality will come out.

However, no OSX is really the killer should all else come true to life. Too bad, MBA update is so needed- but so far away it seems.

 

[ReallyOldGuy]

It doesn't run OSX so its virtually useless for me.

Nice specs but the OS is what matters to me. People can chase hardware all day but I'm not going back to an OS that has no built in RAID support, no built in ISO support, no built in Dictionary, no built in spell check, no built in differential backup, no multiple desktop support, etc etc...

Having left the dark side 398 days ago I certainly can appreciate the specs....but it's still MS driven and I just can't go back. I'll live with my MBA till the new ones arrive and yes I have an iPad and yes I use them both, contrary to popular belief they VERY different. MBA people understand but the rest don't.

 

[Huubster]

It doesn't run OSX so its virtually useless for me.

Nice specs but the OS is what matters to me. People can chase hardware all day but I'm not going back to an OS that has no built in RAID support, no built in ISO support, no built in Dictionary, no built in spell check, no built in differential backup, no multiple desktop support, etc etc...

People for whom OS X is the only obstacle should consider Ubuntu. Does pretty much all of the above, on a Mac and on a PC. Is based on Linux, which is just like OS X a Unix variety. And it has nothing to do with Microsoft (unless you choose to run Windows in VM ware). And is truely open and free!

 

[halledise]

new Airs coming either 18.May or 8.June this year.

the Toshiba looks sweet for sure but as has already been outpointed:

expensive - probably
hot to touch - for sure
Microsoft bound - definitely
Virally prone
can't do OSX
the list goes on.

but if you're a PC then go for it.

best thing out of this thread is that with PC manufacturers pursuing this light and fast form factor one can bet one's boots that Apple Inc won't walk away from the concept.
all are saying that the iPad/iPhone can in no way sub for a 'proper' notebook and the MBPro range are not as ideal a travelling journo/writer's companion due to weight factor.
ergo - the Air lives on

I could well be wrong … but I don't think I am

 

[PsyD4Me]

Toshiba makes decent stuff, but i have a hard time believing that this will actually come out

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Wee hoo, This is what the next MBA should be but never will
To bad it will never run OSX:rolleyes
In addition, four Toshi Lappies have died prematurely on us, so I think I will pass

 

[gwsat]

Wee hoo, This is what the next MBA should be but never will
To bad it will never run OSX:rolleyes
In addition, four Toshi Lappies have died prematurely on us, so I think I will pass

My first laptop was a circa 1987 Toshiba. It had an Intel 80286 chip, ran DOS, and, unsurprisingly, wasn't much of a computer. It was such a bad experience, I didn't get another laptop until I bought a Powerbook G4 in 2003.

A lot of Toshiba gear these days is pretty good, though. I recently bought a USB powered portable 640Gb drive to handle the backups of the Windows 7 installation that I run in a VMware Fusion virtual machine on my MBP. It has been so good, I just bought another one to give to my daughter for her birthday.

 

[bloodycape]

Toshiba has always been know for light weight computers(at least in the ultra-portable segment). If you remember the Toshiba R600 like weighed 2.2lbs or so with out the optical drive and with an SSD(granted it is a 12in device, but it comes with pretty much everything under the sun in terms of ports and connections). Only problem with that machine was slightly below average screen, which for its price would not cut it(again part of the reason I got the Vaio TT instead).

This new machine looks like it could be good, but as other have noted the intel gpu could be a limiting factor for some, and I really doubt this would have a screen as nice as the matte screen on the Vaio Z.

 

[Disavowed]

Nice find Jobsian. You're always good for a thread or two per week, and you didn't disappoint with this one.

Wow, approval from Scottsdale. I'm sure Jobsian will sleep better tonight.

 

[Scottsdale]

Toshiba has always been know for light weight computers(at least in the ultra-portable segment). If you remember the Toshiba R600 like weighed 2.2lbs or so with out the optical drive and with an SSD(granted it is a 12in device, but it comes with pretty much everything under the sun in terms of ports and connections). Only problem with that machine was slightly below average screen, which for its price would not cut it(again part of the reason I got the Vaio TT instead).

This new machine looks like it could be good, but as other have noted the intel gpu could be a limiting factor for some, and I really doubt this would have a screen as nice as the matte screen on the Vaio Z.

I hope Apple has something (like an MBA) to challenge this Toshiba sooner rather than later. Basically, I hope at least one computer engineer at Apple has been working on an innovative Mac update (hopefully the MBA)! The Mac Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini are all terribly overdue for a new model (maybe the MB and soon after the iMacs too)... and as soon as Apple updates all of those, it better have the real MBP update prepared later this year. It has already been seven months since the new iMac was introduced last October (the Mm was bumped, and the MB had a unibody plastic case addition but no real component upgrade).

 

[Huubster]

Basically, I hope at least one computer engineer at Apple has been working on an innovative Mac update (hopefully the MBA)!

I also hope this. But I am beginning to get the impression that Apple has joined the dark side just as well and are going for easy money.

The recent big success of the Mac is thanks to the iToys users, who buy outdated hardware anyway simply because it has an Apple logo. imho this is comparable to the way PC users taking Microsoft products for granted.