Is it me or is .Mac stupidly slow? I'm on a 100mb connection so it isnt my connection.
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Thin MacBook with Bottom Mounted Optical Drive?
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Is it me or is .Mac stupidly slow? I'm on a 100mb connection so it isnt my connection.
Correct, kinda. The drift velocity of the electrons as a whole will take that long to travel that far, however electrons vibrate back in forth in place at a rapid pace, causing collisions with other electrons, causing the energy to transfer "down the line" at a very rapid pace; hence the light not taking 3 days to turn on. *points to Physics degree on mantle*
Anyways...
Close to the speed of light... but electricity doesn't mean all your electrons are free-flowing all the time, or traveling in the same direction. With AC, electrons don't travel very far, as the direction of electron flow switches 50-60 times a second.
Even with DC current, electrons can get reattached to atoms, need to be freed again, and so on. The volume of electrons passing point X is the important part about current... not so much how far electron Y travels, especially with AC current.
"In the patent description, Apple addresses the challenges of making laptops even smaller, and how the available area on the perimeter of the computer diminishes as the laptops get thinner."
If you look at the iPhone (Apple Tablet Nano) there are NO ports except the docking port (and the sim card slot).
So if you had an Apple Tablet Not Nano (ATNN) with a CD requirement, the back face makes sense for optical drive placement as the front face is a display with a home button, and the sides, all but one, are free of any ports.
Centering it improves the Center of Gravity (CG).
Rocketman
If you look at the iPhone (Apple Tablet Nano) there are NO ports except the docking port (and the sim card slot).
So if you had an Apple Tablet Not Nano (ATNN) with a CD requirement, the back face makes sense for optical drive placement as the front face is a display with a home button, and the sides, all but one, are free of any ports.
Centering it improves the Center of Gravity (CG).
Rocketman
Forgive me i haven't read all the posts in this thread so i might be redundant when i say - apple will not use this in a laptop that is a decoy to keep attention away from its (potential) application in 2008 for the tablet-esque device. The patent is worded in a fashion to cover that sort of device.
The only reason why i question wether or not it might be useful in the tablet device is that apple is not into disk based access for movies and is promoting the online movie access model.
The only reason why i question wether or not it might be useful in the tablet device is that apple is not into disk based access for movies and is promoting the online movie access model.
yeah, I see no issues with having to turn your macbook over everytime you install a disk.
this is stupid
this is stupid
under the keyboard and the keyboard is hold down by "electric-magnetic-switches" if something like this exists.
the eject button "turns" the magnets off.
sounds good? i don't know.
even if i don't use the drive that often, but i don't want to turn that thing around, too much of a hassle, i guess.
the eject button "turns" the magnets off.
sounds good? i don't know.
even if i don't use the drive that often, but i don't want to turn that thing around, too much of a hassle, i guess.
To answer all those people who question how often they use their optical drive in their laptops:
You'd use it even less if it was on the bottom of the machine!
Like it or not, many people do like to watch DVD's on their computer whilst travelling.
And they don't all live in America and only like films from Disney of Paramount.
I can see this is in the Apple Store now —
Sales Assistant:
It's a fully featured portable and only ½ inch thin
Customer:
Ah, but how do I burn DVDs/CDs?
Sales Assistant:
Easy, with the built in drive.
Customer:
What drive?
Sales Assistant:
The one on the back, here look —
**goes to life up and turn it but can't because of the security loop, customer looks on bewildered**
Sales Assistant: Well trust me, it's there.
Seriously, this would only work on a tablet, and even then it would probably be more elegant to slot load from the top or side.
You'd use it even less if it was on the bottom of the machine!
Like it or not, many people do like to watch DVD's on their computer whilst travelling.
And they don't all live in America and only like films from Disney of Paramount.
I can see this is in the Apple Store now —
Sales Assistant:
It's a fully featured portable and only ½ inch thin
Customer:
Ah, but how do I burn DVDs/CDs?
Sales Assistant:
Easy, with the built in drive.
Customer:
What drive?
Sales Assistant:
The one on the back, here look —
**goes to life up and turn it but can't because of the security loop, customer looks on bewildered**
Sales Assistant: Well trust me, it's there.
Seriously, this would only work on a tablet, and even then it would probably be more elegant to slot load from the top or side.
No moving parts whatsoever? What about the hinge for the display? What about the keys in the keyboard?
What are you thinking off? Intel's fastest mobile processor is in the MacBook Pro. They cant put any faster CPU in there. Maybe a faster graphics card but the heat already is tremendous off this thing. And its not Apple's trend of miniaturizing things, its the consumer trend of wanting smaller things that makes sense. I bought a 12" PB, why? Well because I wanted something to take notes with in class. Anything more than 3-4 pounds, roughly the weight feel of a medium textbook would be bothersome. A heavy textbook is too much and I know that there isnt much out there smaller than a 12" that is usable. So it was perfect. Now, if I'm going to buy another Apple, I doubt its going to be a 5.2 lb. 4.6 was nice, much bigger would start getting bothersome. Plus if I'm going to carry more weight I rather take the 15" for .4 lbs more. Atleast it has a much bigger display. But clearly small is good for many, so I there are few that don't appreciate a small Apple and even fewer than agree with you.I don't necessarily care about smaller laptops, I'm more concerned with improving the overall speed and quality of the notebook. One of the main reasons I refuse to buy a 13" Mac Book is that it's TOO small. I don't want a tiny keyboard and a small screen to limit my work, my 23" monitor is small enough. I think Apple needs to get over this obsession with "small" (see iPod Nano, etc.) and start focusing on quality and speed (and when I mean quality I am referring to the many issues the first batch of Mac Book and Mac Book Pro's encountered). I love Apple, always will, but I don't think mounting an optical drive at the bottom of a notebook in order to make them thinner and smaller is paramount to improving laptop computers.
Maybe.
But count me as one who agrees with CJD.
As stated above I think it is way past time that Apple addressed the MB and MBP problems.
If they can't get the full size machines to work properly what chance these minis?
I have returned 3 MBP's so far and have been told that it is the last time.
Either keep it or take a refund.
That really helps me
I think it makes the macbook more complicated.. it makes the optical drive almost in accessible.. Form is taking over the function... I like how apple's design are simple.. THIS IS COMPLICATED!
getting the whole picture
Apple never uses real design drawing to patent an innovation-remember the multi touch interface? Apple used an old ipod, like here, they used an old titan powerbook.
Where would a back optical drive come in handy?
-A very thin product where you can't integrate a slot in drive
-when a design is a solid piece, with no moving parts such as an ipod or a screen
- when you need to access a discs for music or films
My guess is , Apple is planning a portable device, like a portable TV, small, fin with only a big touch screen(23x13cm) in the front and the possibility to play (maybe record) any sort of CD/DVD
if it's portable and around this size (23x13) a user wouldn't mind turning it to its back to load an optical medium
The size is based on a 12cm CD and the 16:9 Format
These are mere logical conclusion based on design principles and Apples media strategy
Apple never uses real design drawing to patent an innovation-remember the multi touch interface? Apple used an old ipod, like here, they used an old titan powerbook.
Where would a back optical drive come in handy?
-A very thin product where you can't integrate a slot in drive
-when a design is a solid piece, with no moving parts such as an ipod or a screen
- when you need to access a discs for music or films
My guess is , Apple is planning a portable device, like a portable TV, small, fin with only a big touch screen(23x13cm) in the front and the possibility to play (maybe record) any sort of CD/DVD
if it's portable and around this size (23x13) a user wouldn't mind turning it to its back to load an optical medium
The size is based on a 12cm CD and the 16:9 Format
These are mere logical conclusion based on design principles and Apples media strategy
A lot of things point to this. Firstly this patent is only relevant to a computer whose perimeter real estate is small. Look at a PB 12" if you have one. It has the smallest perimeter of any Apple computer in the past 7 years. The ports dont even take up the whole left side. The right side is filled up even less with only the slot loading. There is plenty of room if you want more perephials. If you are getting to the point that you need that perimeter space where the CD slot is in it has to be one of two things: a much smaller computer (useless) or have a lot more ports (what! 5 FIREWIRE.
)OR.....
Like someone earlier wrote. You would have to take up the perimeter by something entirely knew. Mainly hand rests to hold the computer like a tablet. That takes up tons of perimeter space if its to be comfortably held. Hold your 12" PB one hand over the CD drive and the other at the bottom left hand corner. To comfortably hold it you have to block the CD slot plus a port or two. If you move those ports to the bottom right hand corner. It fits perfectly that is if you remove the CD drive.
So, this seems only useful for a tablet also because thats the only computer that is not always left on its bottom.
Now why a super thin 12/13" Tablet without keyboard makes sense.
1. Apple has some great multi touch technology that would go great for a dynamic keyboard a la the UMPC, the kind that while holding the screen you can type with just with your thumbs.
2. There have been plenty of rumors of a super thin 12/13". Which is hard to do since less than 1" like the current Macbook Pro is very very slim. The only way to go slimmer is to ditch the keyboard and the hinge. Thats really the only way to go thinner, theres only so small components can get.
3. Unlike much talk on how the tablets dont sell. That was the first genertion. Clunky things with no batteries and pen based input. Fingers was the point of a touch screen, who wants to use a pen. Its only slightly more natural than a mouse and useless in normal laptop fashion (keyboard on table, screen tilted up). Its only useful in a slate mode either flat on the ground or cradled in your arms (hands need support to write, trying writing on a peice of paper at an angle like a laptop screen.
But the second of generation of tablets with 4-5 hours battery life. Plus touch screen start to up the ante. When you add the new flexibility with UMPC software and more slates and tablets coming out. You start to get a feeling that there is a resurgence. I used my friends pen based tablet and it still gets me giddy inside to use a pen based UI (its also in french, which freaks me out... but....). Its still very interesting to people and fingers are even more interesting. To play around with a Slate style touch screen like the Safari iTouch from TabletKiosk is a little dream of mine. Fingers on the natural next step for computers and with multi-touch the possibilites are endless. This can really catch people's attention. If its actually usable and has atleast some cool features that dont get old like feel; you will be good to go.
4. iPhone development took forever. Its going to have 3 yrs of development behind it. Apple cant let all that development energy go to waste. And it knows it wont be hard to translate into a 12" tablet, since the only hardware difference would be to make a bigger iPhone. And the tough part software design has already been developed.
5. Axiotron will be a test run for Apple to see whether there is market. They know they can make. It wont be hard. But what worries them the worst is a market. If Axiotron sells out, well then expect to see Apple going.... hey looks like there is a place for this stuff in actuality.
If you've ever opened one of the slot-load laptop drives, they are THIN (I had to so I could get a stuck CD out). I can see Apple removing the top from one of these things and letting you top-load them. I'm all for this if it makes laptops more sturdy and thinner. I'm sure Apple will have a really good implementation of this thing that deals with people's complaints about usability.
Did anyone notice that in the pictures for the patent the hinges look an aweful lot like the old tibooks. How old is this patent exactly?
Guys... don't you all see this?
Apple patented a multi-layer thing to replace keybords, with joysticks etc.etc. a while ago (see history here) now they do this:
don't you see the obvious:
- keybord up, cd in, keybord down.
- keybord up, cd out, keybord out, joystick in.
- joystick out, cd in, mixer in: we have a turntable mac
- keybord up, dvd in, piano keybord in: we have a piano mac
man... this is easy working!
(or else "I HAVE INVENTED IT HERE", so i get the patent)
Apple patented a multi-layer thing to replace keybords, with joysticks etc.etc. a while ago (see history here) now they do this:
don't you see the obvious:
- keybord up, cd in, keybord down.
- keybord up, cd out, keybord out, joystick in.
- joystick out, cd in, mixer in: we have a turntable mac
- keybord up, dvd in, piano keybord in: we have a piano mac
man... this is easy working!
(or else "I HAVE INVENTED IT HERE", so i get the patent)
perfect sense. . .
This makes perfect sense. . . but only if you've seen Apple's OTHER patent for its laptop levitation system. You see, the laptop always hovers between two and five feet off the ground, allowing constant access to the bottom CD compartment! It's bloody brilliant!!
This makes perfect sense. . . but only if you've seen Apple's OTHER patent for its laptop levitation system. You see, the laptop always hovers between two and five feet off the ground, allowing constant access to the bottom CD compartment! It's bloody brilliant!!
And that reminds me....
Somewhat off topic....but that reminds me - why the heck doesn't Apple develop a decent (or any for that matter) docking station and forget worrying about where to put the stupid optical drive.
Somewhat off topic....but that reminds me - why the heck doesn't Apple develop a decent (or any for that matter) docking station and forget worrying about where to put the stupid optical drive.
I like the way Panasonic has it on their ultra thin laptops. It works well and keeps the size down, plus it is DL dvd burner.
Leave it out...
Personally leave the CD/DVD drive out of the "thin" laptop and give us a docking station with drive bays connected via a well hidden connector on the bottom of the laptop and provide firewire and/or eSATA ports so we can hook up a portable drive as needed when on the road.
Really I seldom ever use the CD/DVD drive in my laptops (only for the occasional install) and even more seldom when on the road (except when dropping on the next great thing when at WWDC).
Personally leave the CD/DVD drive out of the "thin" laptop and give us a docking station with drive bays connected via a well hidden connector on the bottom of the laptop and provide firewire and/or eSATA ports so we can hook up a portable drive as needed when on the road.
Really I seldom ever use the CD/DVD drive in my laptops (only for the occasional install) and even more seldom when on the road (except when dropping on the next great thing when at WWDC).
