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Ultra-thin and Ultra-light Mac Notebook in 2007

iSee said:
That's a really good point that is often ignored:

As neat-o-keen as they are, no one actually wants to buy an ultra-portable.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it is often an overlooked point. Still one has to consider...

I wouldn't have bought an MP3 player before the iPod, I was never moved to buy a game console before the Wii, and I never lusted after a PDA/smart phone before the iPhone. Sometimes a market direction has to be established or reestablished before a successful market exists.

I think Apple *could* do this with a tablet (especially now with a killer touch interface) but I am skeptical about an ultra-portable laptop. Seems a little too clunky for Apple to take part in.

-Clive
 
Clive At Five said:
Agreed, it is often an overlooked point. Still one has to consider...

I wouldn't have bought an MP3 player before the iPod, I was never moved to buy a game console before the Wii, and I never lusted after a PDA/smart phone before the iPhone. Sometimes a market direction has to be established or reestablished before a successful market exists.

I think Apple *could* do this with a tablet (especially now with a killer touch interface) but I am skeptical about an ultra-portable laptop. Seems a little too clunky for Apple to take part in.

-Clive
Click to expand...

I'd cream my pants if apple put multi-touch in this thing.

oh wait. too much information huh?
 
If Apple does go for the ultra they might go with a 32 GB flash drive to make it thin.

My ultimate hope is Apple will produce a tablet ultra-thin notbook.
 
Thin obsession?

said to feature a 12" display, 0.6-0.7 inches thick, and weigh less than 3 pounds.
Click to expand...

Personally, I would rather have an Apple notebook computer that withstands damage (like the Toughbooks) than follow the obsession for smaller and flimsier designs. :eek::p:cool:
 
Revolutionary?

killerrobot said:
How does knocking off 3 lbs. and .4" make this thing really that revolutionary?
I thought the iPhone was suppose to be the revolution...no wait, the iPod ... no wait the mouse....
When Apple (or someone claiming that Apple) claims everything to be revolutionary and the future, it kind of loses its effect.
Click to expand...


When everything you do is revolutionary, it looks like some people become complacent with it ... :rolleyes:

How can 3 lbs and almost a half-inch NOT be something worth talking about? You're talking about something HALF the thickness of a MB and less than half the weight. All with OSX and all the bells and whistles that come with a Mac.

And all those products you mentioned WERE revolutionary.

from dictionary.com:

rev·o·lu·tion·ar·y [rev-uh-loo-shuh-ner-ee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation adjective, noun, plural -ar·ies.
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of a revolution, or a sudden, complete, or marked change: a revolutionary junta.
2. radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedure, principles, etc.: a revolutionary discovery.

iPod/iPhone ... revolutionary? I think so ...
 
iSee said:
That's a really good point that is often ignored:

As neat-o-keen as they are, no one actually wants to buy an ultra-portable.
Click to expand...

No One? I think you underestimate the market. If no one bought UPs, then why do so many of them get built and sold every year?

I for one would buy one in a heartbeat. As long as I could hook it up to a larger monitor for home use, I'll break out the checkbook.
 
I'm wondering where Apple will go with this.
Is it going to be a "pro-sumer" laptop or one simply for the basics on the go?
 
Vidd said:
I'm wondering where Apple will go with this.
Is it going to be a "pro-sumer" laptop or one simply for the basics on the go?
Click to expand...

I'd expect two variants. Apple does a good job of coming up with a spectrum of offerings within each product line to appeal to as many buyers as possible, but without making it overly complex (hello, Dell?!)
 
iSee said:
That's a really good point that is often ignored:

As neat-o-keen as they are, no one actually wants to buy an ultra-portable.
Click to expand...

I would. I have my main computer to work with daily. An ultra-portible Mac would be perfect to take on the plane and watch movies, do some word processor/Excel stuff, e-mail and be able to completely use the web. Any Photoshop, design, dvd burning, heavy processing work, gaming, etc. would be done on my main computer at home. I don't need the overkill of the Macbook Pro (I would, though, if it was my main computer like my old Pismo Powerbook once was). I just need something to take on trips (work or otherwise) to do some very light duty tasks. An ultra-portable Mac would be perfect for my "travel needs."
 
Possible Specs:

2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
32 GB Flash Hard Drive
Multi-touch 12 Inch Display
2 USB
1 Firewire (?)
Bluetooth
802.11n
Optical DVD-RW Drive?
Integrated Graphics
$1,799
 
BornAgainMac said:
Possible Specs:

2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
32 GB Flash Hard Drive
Multi-touch 12 Inch Display
2 USB
1 Firewire (?)
Bluetooth
802.11n
Optical DVD-RW Drive?
Integrated Graphics
$1,799
Click to expand...

I think you're close. I'd have a feeling that the trackpad would be "multi-touch," not the whole screen. *starts saving pennies*
 
oscuh said:
I'd expect two variants. Apple does a good job of coming up with a spectrum of offerings within each product line to appeal to as many buyers as possible, but without making it overly complex (hello, Dell?!)
Click to expand...

As cool as that would be, I really doubt it. At least not too soon; it'll have to be one or the other for a good while.
 
BornAgainMac said:
Possible Specs:

2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
32 GB Flash Hard Drive
Multi-touch 12 Inch Display
2 USB
1 Firewire (?)
Bluetooth
802.11n
Optical DVD-RW Drive?
Integrated Graphics
$1,799
Click to expand...

bahahahahahahahaha. omg. $1799? DVD-RW? Multi-Touch?

If all those were there, it'd cost $2499, easily, and up.
 
A Dock !!!

pagansoul said:
...but with enough USB slots for a hookup of externals when I'm home....
Click to expand...

NO!!! All we need is 1 USB, Power, Maybe FW, Audio In/Out and Video Out. On the go you'll only need one of each. Now, when we're at home all we'll need is a DOCK with all those ports, so we only need to hook the thing and start using all the peripherials.

We coul'd even hook it up to our main mac at home to sync all the info and to use it as a multitouch input device for it. THAT would be very nice.
 
BornAgainMac said:
Possible Specs:

2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
32 GB Flash Hard Drive
Multi-touch 12 Inch Display
2 USB
1 Firewire (?)
Bluetooth
802.11n
Optical DVD-RW Drive?
Integrated Graphics
$1,799
Click to expand...

32GB is too little... I think they will use a 1.8" 80GB harddrive at least. And a 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo LV. The 34W Core 2 Duo is too hot for an ultra-portable.
No multitouch I think.
 
Vidd said:
As cool as that would be, I really doubt it. At least not too soon; it'll have to be one or the other for a good while.
Click to expand...

I guess what i meant was you'll have processor options, HDD options, etc. That way if you need more horsepower, you can get it, if you don't, they you don't :) I can't see them delivering ONE package and saying "this is it!"
 
In order to maintain that form factor, they will probably have to go with something along the lines of an Ultra Low Voltage processor. I just think that anything else would produce too much heat.

Also, I hope it has something faster than a 1.8" 4200 RPM hard drive. Those things are incredibly slow.
 
I have a theory: Mac users spend way too much time sitting at a desk, to the point where their arms have become very weak. That must be the market for an ultra-portable.

Otherwise, I don't get it. I'd much rather have a fully-functional 12" or 13.3" MBP with real designated video and an optical drive and the works. If they can make it smaller and lighter, then great, as long as they're not giving up battery life, power, functionality, etc.

But is it really so difficult to lug around a computer which is an inch thick and weighs a few pounds? Would a half-inch, half-functional computer be that much better?
 
iSee said:
That's a really good point that is often ignored:

As neat-o-keen as they are, no one actually wants to buy an ultra-portable.
Click to expand...

Perhaps that's true of the majority, but I can say I'd order half a dozen the day they were announced for myself and staff.

I'd pay $2500 apiece for an ultra-portable with a docking station from Apple and not bat an eye.

Hell, I'm still purchasing 12" refurbished PowerBooks when I can.
 
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