Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple plans ultra-portable PC
- Thread starter tektonnic
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
63dot said:
A four pounds 12" Mac... Isn't that called a MacBook? Ok the MacBook is 13" but still.
I want something REALLY small but that's still a real Mac. Give me a Nintendo DS Lite-sized ultraportable Mac with a 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo (or something similar that's very light on power requirements), GMA 900 integrated graphics (very low-end model), 512MB built-in (perhaps no extra memory slot either), 800x480 display and no optical drive. But it has to run OS X, not some watered-down, "ultraportable-only" operating system. Add one of those new hybrid flash/HD drive for good measure and a SD card reader built-in for real on-the-go usability for photographers. All those features would make for a real "PDA-killer".
I guess I'm a little bit confused...
I haven't seen any explicit mention of this being a tablet computer, so what exactly are we expecting? A super-small notebook/laptop like the tiny 8" (maybe slightly bigger?) widescreen Sony Vaio laptops? I'm really curious about this one...If it's a tablet then all I have to say is SWEET!
I haven't seen any explicit mention of this being a tablet computer, so what exactly are we expecting? A super-small notebook/laptop like the tiny 8" (maybe slightly bigger?) widescreen Sony Vaio laptops? I'm really curious about this one...If it's a tablet then all I have to say is SWEET! 
pure*evil said:
At 9 or 10" you'd better take a small laptop like a MacBook or a 12" PowerBook. Let's forget about that "tablet" format for a second, it only confuses things IMO. It's either a computer (full OS) or a PDA (custom OS).
I want a PDA-sized computer. Not a "very small laptop", not a "tablet", not a "PDA". I want a real sub-laptop/palmtop computer. If the display is bigger than 5.0" or the weight more than 0.5lb it's too big to replace a PDA.
If it's bigger than a PDA then you can't fit it in your pocket and you need the same gear to carry it as a regular small laptop (carrying bag/case, etc). It then becomes a burden because it has all the same problems as a small laptop while being too small for a laptop. If it can fit in a pocket, people won't look at it as a "small laptop" and will accept the limited features. Limited features also equals less power drain, because that sub-laptop/palmtop needs to have excellent battery life.
As for "optionnal optical drive", they're everywhere. It's a regular USB/FireWire external optical drive. There's no need to make yet another such device.
The MacBook is 13.3" and is has a much thicker bezel than the iBook had, so in reality it's more like the 14" iBook.Yvan256 said:
No 12" models left in Apple's line up makes this rumor more plausible, I think, but it's still not much more than speculation.
I'd still like to see someting small (8-10") like a hardbound book that is kind-of like an iMac or iPod. Everything being the screen, except the keyboard + mouse, with a touch sreeen or other "none-touch" interface (even an Apple IR remote) for many tasks such as media you could stow the KB and have a very nice box for when in coach....
B
B
They should just release an OS X cart for the Nintendo DS Lite... hey, it already looks like it was designed by Apple...
celebrian23 said:
The question is how large this niche market really is... Students will definitly go for a Macbook, family consumers don't need that portabilty (iMac, Mac Mini or Macbook) Pro users need heavier solutions (MBP or PowerMac). I know there are a quite a few people who could use this, but I doubt there would be enough to really get things running. And remember, these forums don't reflect the entire Mac community.
Cool
Depending on how they do it and if it's less than $1500 (preferably less than $1000), I'd get one in a heartbeat.
I've completely fallen in love with my 30gb iPod Photo's UI. The fact that it's not only ultra-portable, but also needs nothing more than a thumb to use for all its features, has completely spoiled me to the point where I won't consider buying *any* laptop for mobile computing - they're all too big.
Besides price, the sweet spots for me are:
A) Low power-consumption CPU a la Core Solo at 1.67ghz with 1GB RAM(?possible?)
B) OS X version for handhelds
C) Can fit comfortably inside a shirt or jacket pocket
D) Supports bluetooth and video-out for those moments when you do hook it up to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
Oh well, we'll see.
Chuck
Depending on how they do it and if it's less than $1500 (preferably less than $1000), I'd get one in a heartbeat.
I've completely fallen in love with my 30gb iPod Photo's UI. The fact that it's not only ultra-portable, but also needs nothing more than a thumb to use for all its features, has completely spoiled me to the point where I won't consider buying *any* laptop for mobile computing - they're all too big.
Besides price, the sweet spots for me are:
A) Low power-consumption CPU a la Core Solo at 1.67ghz with 1GB RAM(?possible?)
B) OS X version for handhelds
C) Can fit comfortably inside a shirt or jacket pocket
D) Supports bluetooth and video-out for those moments when you do hook it up to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
Oh well, we'll see.
Chuck
Exactly what I want!
Get it as small as possible. Cramped screen and keys? I don't care--my computer's no good to me if I left it at home for being too bulky, which even the tiny 12" PowerBook often is. And I can "borrow" a screen and keyboard most places I go anyway, for longer work sessions. If it's touch-based without a keyboard... I'll at least keep an open mind and see what they come up with.
If they can squeeze in PRO features, like dual cores, lighted keys, aluminum case, and a real 3D GPU (even if those things are disabled under battery use) I will buy one for sure.
I don't need an internal optical drive--I use mine rarely enough that I'd happily accept a cable if it allowed me to leave the optical drive home.
Get it as small as possible. Cramped screen and keys? I don't care--my computer's no good to me if I left it at home for being too bulky, which even the tiny 12" PowerBook often is. And I can "borrow" a screen and keyboard most places I go anyway, for longer work sessions. If it's touch-based without a keyboard... I'll at least keep an open mind and see what they come up with.
If they can squeeze in PRO features, like dual cores, lighted keys, aluminum case, and a real 3D GPU (even if those things are disabled under battery use) I will buy one for sure.
I don't need an internal optical drive--I use mine rarely enough that I'd happily accept a cable if it allowed me to leave the optical drive home.
Give it! Give it!Yvan256 said:
