Apple plans ultra-portable PC

[gloss]

NO

There is also a faster model than the one shown there.

Here is more info in English. Of course, the integrated graphics suck.

And only $4000. What a deal! Sign me up!

 

[joecool85]

If apple can set me up with a 10" portable, kinda like a mini MB/MBP for about $800 I'll buy one. But I'd have to sell my 12" PB probably.

 

[DrinkingLizard]

What I'd like to see is a MacBook Mini with a form factor similar to one of these two machines:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1844478,00.asp

http://www.handtops.com/show/news/21

or possibly like the smaller VAIO's or the Fujitsu P7120

maybe they should do both, one 9" and one 11" so that the entire range would include 9", 11", 13", 15" and, 17" models

 

[Macinposh]

I don't want to crash your party, but a computer based on NAND memory is not possible yet.
NAND memory has a limited amount of write cycles, it dies after that.

Oh, Eric. I now have to Poop on your amsterdamian party a bit.



Some NANDs have a estimated write cycle of 100.000 times.
If you would tease the small poor bastards over and over again, yes, you could crush dem puny little things within a few months with a round clock bobardment.
But,as you can find from this boards posts,from the interweb ( and if i recollect right, from samsungs homepage?) that they have taken the steps to prevent this, by keeping track on the blocks how many times they are written.
Thus you can controll that you dont overuse certain parts, and keep the wear on the NAND more even.This way they estimated that the durability would be on par with HDDs.
And since the use of this rumoured product wouldnt be very intensive due its nature, i would guess that the NANDs would live the expected lifespan of the device it self.

Aand since we started the guess work :

9" wide screen.
1.0ghz ULV Core Solo
GMA950
16/32GB NAND
Wifi+BT
512mb/1gb
Infra
1 FW 400
1 USB 2
1 GigE
1 DVI

Price: 1300$/1900$

Would come with a good suite of iSomethingTM programs,good connectivity with peripherals like PDA,MF and you main compooper,a small dock (vertical with plugs for external display,external optical drives,charger,wireless keyboard etc..) and a vague feeling that you just got punkd.


And all this would leave enough room in the "Even Tinier" department so that apple could finally out it´s Mobile/PDA, now that the time starts to be a bit better than 10 years ago.

Like this :http://www.mobilitysite.com/articles/link.php?id=320

Albeit a bit more...hmm..Appleish.

 

[newwavedave]

I don't have time to read through this whole thread, so forgive me if I'm repeating someone else. What most of you don't seem to be getting is that the NAND flash isn't a replacement for the Hard Drive. This thing will still have a HD, but the OS and some frequently used programs will reside on the NAND flash. Allowing for much faster boot times and allowing more HD space on a smaller HD. I'm figuring around $1400. I'd buy one in a second.

 

[Yvan256]

(post merged)

 

[Yvan256]

(post merged)

 

[Yvan256]

(post merged)

 

[emotion]

Well, drop the Core Solo to 1GHz if needed, lower the GPU even more (after all 800x480 shouldn't require that much GPU power to drive the display system, not much reserved system RAM either, i.e. 16MB or even 8MB could be more than enough for that resolution).

The point being, if it's a sub-notebook (palmtop?), the target is portability, the market is to replace PDAs with a real computer that runs the same OS as your desktop/laptop. If it doesn't fit in your pocket and can't run 15+ hours on a single charge, you failed in the design. In that case, you lower the specs and try again.

The target uses are: Mail, iCal, Safari, QuickTime, iTunes and the occasional Keynote (last minute changes, presentation), Pages (last minute or on-the-field edits), on-the-go coding (so you can try your ideas on-the-spot instead of making a note about needing to try it when you get back home/at the office), etc.

Being that small, people would understand limitations like video playback video size limited to H.264 480p (screen size anyway) or even the iPod's H.264 320x240, really choppy iTunes visualizer, slow compilation times, Keynote being limited to 800x600 for smooth presentations (especially since the GPU has to resize to 640x480 to fit in the 800x480 LCD if not being output to an external source).

It's meant as an "always-with-you", portable desktop/laptop companion, not a desktop/laptop replacement.

Hmmm one of the cool uses for this though is to plug into external displays. A better video card would be needed I think.

To address the heat concerns above we are talking here of using the ULV versions of the Core architecture. These are menat to significantly cooler.

 

[Yvan256]

(post merged)

 

[emotion]

Screen is too big, making the whole unit too big. CPU too powerful (would kill the battery). GPU too powerful, takes too much system RAM. Charging dock would be optionnal. Battery life nowhere near enough to be of any utility. All IMO, of course.

Ultraportables of this size do exist in the pc world remember. I agree if you're talking about a palmtop/pda replacement though.

 

[Yvan256]

(post merged)

 

[Yvan256]

(post merged)

 

[Yvan256]

(post merged)

 

[Yvan256]

I think the price is wrong, itll be more like $199, makes us feel like we arent spending so much, oh and it has a liquid cooling system?

Meh, I'm not buying it unless it has a liquid metal cooling system.

So what you want is one of these:

http://www.oqo.com/hardware/basics/

only running OSX

jbcaro

Well, like an OQO yes, but foldable like a laptop and with a keyboard. Think "OQO + Nintendo DS Lite" (sorry, the thing just looks too much like a small MacBook, i.e. "MacBook mini").

There's already enough heat/mooing/whining issues with almost properly ventilated macbooks/mackbook pros. imagine, a computer that small and much hotter. instead of not being able to use it on your bare lap, you just won't be able to use, maybe with a stick.

Well, drop the Core Solo to 1GHz if needed, lower the GPU even more (after all 800x480 shouldn't require that much GPU power to drive the display system, not much reserved system RAM either, i.e. 16MB or even 8MB could be more than enough for that resolution).

The point being, if it's a sub-notebook (palmtop?), the target is portability, the market is to replace PDAs with a real computer that runs the same OS as your desktop/laptop. If it doesn't fit in your pocket and can't run 15+ hours on a single charge, you failed in the design. In that case, you lower the specs and try again.

The target uses are: Mail, iCal, Safari, QuickTime, iTunes and the occasional Keynote (last minute changes, presentation), Pages (last minute or on-the-field edits), on-the-go coding (so you can try your ideas on-the-spot instead of making a note about needing to try it when you get back home/at the office), etc.

Being that small, people would understand limitations like video playback video size limited to H.264 480p (screen size anyway) or even the iPod's H.264 320x240, really choppy iTunes visualizer, slow compilation times, Keynote being limited to 800x600 for smooth presentations (especially since the GPU has to resize to 640x480 to fit in the 800x480 LCD if not being output to an external source).

It's meant as an "always-with-you", portable desktop/laptop companion, not a desktop/laptop replacement.

9" widescreen LCD
1.5GHz Core Solo
512MB RAM
64MB GMA950 GPU
40GB hdd
WiFi
audio out
1 or 2 USB 2.0
10/100 ethernet
charging dock, 4 hour batter life
no optical drive (but offer a stylish external)

$699

I'll take two, please.

Screen is too big, making the whole unit too big. CPU too powerful (would kill the battery). GPU too powerful, takes too much system RAM. Charging dock would be optionnal. Battery life nowhere near enough to be of any utility. All IMO, of course.

If someone has a blackberry, why do you need an apple PDA?

That's my point exactly. The BlackBerry is still a PDA with its own operating system. My thought is to replace PDAs with a real computer that runs OS X but that's the size of a PDA.

As for the optical drive. Who wants one of the dime-a-dozen external enclosures and a bulky 5.25" drive, when Apple could make a sleek and sexy slim external superdrive? Hell. I'd buy one for my 1.83 MacBook!

Well, I'm sure there's already companies out there doing external drives using laptop DVD drives. At the very least, they should be slim if not sleek and sexy.

Sorry, the language part of my brain is not on tody. Are we talking about an uber-thin book with a keyboard, or some crappy thing like the UMPC platform where you lack of input destroys usability?

We're talking about both, it seems. Depends on who you ask.

I, myself, am talking about "uber-thin, uber-small" with a keyboard. A tiny keyboard is still better than a touchscreen keyboard (IMO).

Lack of input destroys usability, too big destroys portability.

IMO, anything bigger than about 5" widescreen for the display and you're out of the PDA realm and into the laptop realm, as far as portability is concerned.

I dont like this. Its not Apple-ish I think. They'd better make a 12 inch MacBook/Pro

They already made it. It's the MacBook, at 13 inches widescreen. Another inch or two smaller doesn't make enough difference to really matter. Yes the 12" PowerBook is/was more portable than the 15" PowerBook, but neither fit in a pocket like an iPaq or a Palm.

NO

There is also a faster model than the one shown there.

Here is more info in English. Of course, the integrated graphics suck.

That's still 1.5 inches thick. That's about 7mm thicker than my 12" PowerBook...

Edit: sorry about the multiple posts, but as a user I have no way to delete my own posts to merge them all into one (unless I'm mistaken).

 

[jbcaro]

Well, like an OQO yes, but foldable like a laptop and with a keyboard. Think "OQO + Nintendo DS Lite" (sorry, the thing just looks too much like a small MacBook, i.e. "MacBook mini").

Actually, the OQO does have a full thumbboard if you need it. It is a slide out. If you need a full sized keyboard and monitor, those can hook up via a dock. It think the OQO is the perfect size. 5" screen, thumbboard, stylus, HardDrive, USB, Firewire, Dockable, Full OS, etc. It would be nice if it had a clam shell rotating screen so the screen would be protected, but that might make it too thick. If it only came with OSX then it would be perfect.

http://www.oqo.com/

just my 2 cents

jbcaro

 

[Kingsly]

I would get an iTab or iPad, but just how many read-write cycles can NAND flash take before going kaput?

 

[Macnoviz]

I don't have time to read through this whole thread, so forgive me if I'm repeating someone else. What most of you don't seem to be getting is that the NAND flash isn't a replacement for the Hard Drive. This thing will still have a HD, but the OS and some frequently used programs will reside on the NAND flash. Allowing for much faster boot times and allowing more HD space on a smaller HD. I'm figuring around $1400. I'd buy one in a second.

It's been mentioned, no hard feelings, though

 

[cube]

And only $4000. What a deal! Sign me up!

It costs $2300.

 

[idea_hamster]

NO

There is also a faster model than the one shown there.

Here is more info in English. Of course, the integrated graphics suck.

It looks OK, but what I liked was this part under SPECs:

Software
Operating system any



Any what? Any OS? Even OS X? Sound like these people just don't have a really inclusive tech horizon....

 

[lazyrighteye]

Needed A Break from Work

Some random stabs at possible names for a possible product.
MacPod > MacPod Pro
MacTab > MacTab Pro
MacBack > MacBack Pro
MacMac > MacMac Pro
iPod Pro

I'm looking for a device that acts as my "Mac away from my Mac," Mac. A mobile Mac. Smaller than a laptop but larger than an iPod. No keys, no optical. WiFi, BT, iSight, OS X Lite, iApps, Mail & Safari - something that docks/syncs to my home Mac, but once removed & on the go, gives me access to my Home folder, music, movies, etc. Yeah, this is the one glaring void in my Mac experience. There are several times where a full blown laptop is still too much to lug around/whip out. But a handheld Mac?

Sorry, I know a lot of people here oppose the idea, but I honestly think there is a substantial market for such a device.

Certainly a larger market for this device than another U2 iPod...

 

[miketcool]

Forget lightweight all together. This planet is getting too far obese and the last thing we need is another design for a "feather-weight" 16oz. magic machine. I want the machine for TRUE men! I want "luggable" to be the new "ultra light weight."

Bring back one of these 48 lbs beauties and I'll be set, set to squash all of you puny weakling nerds for wishing for computers that carry themselves!

Ultra portable.... more like ultra weak!

 

[jayb2000]

I would love something like this.

The biggest market for something like this would be for business travel, I think. If it can do all those business communication things (e-mail, IM, contacts, bluetooth phone, WiFi, maybe video conference?) and run Keynote smoothly (or PPT, if you must ), it would be the perfect partner to an Intel PowerMac (Mac Pro).

Do all your creation on your giant, powerful desktop and then take your ultra-portable with you on the trip for the presentations. It would be what the 12" PowerBook always wanted to be but never quite was.

Also good would be a built-in IR remote like the Mini that you could use to control a Keynote presentation....

Exactly, that is what I was talking about! All those communication things and all your Safari bookmarks, certain playlists of songs, photos, and/or movies, your calander, emails, etc, all AUTOMATICALLy synced via bluetooth 2.0 with your PowerMac or iMac, etc.

It would have to have a close to full size keyboard (not like a black berry or Treo).

A touch sreen maybe?

Display Size: 8" Diagonal
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Number of Pixels: 1,152,000
Supported Resolution: 640x480~1600x1200
Native Resolution: 800x480

Add a 30 or 60gig 1.5" drive to store media AND a 4 gig Flash or NAND Memory for the OS for near instant startup/shutdown

Plus wi-fi, bluetooth, and USB 2.0 port

Could do a few easy options as well.
One with GSM or CDMA
30 or 60 gig drive
1.5 or 1.66 core solo


Ok, sort of kind of like this jasjar thing,

but with iPod functionality, OS X, and Designed By Apple amazing looks and useability.

Figure probably $899/$1099 price point OR $499/$699 with two year contract from <CELL PHONE PROVIDER>.

For lots of people who have tried Treo, BlackBerry, etc, but found them lacking, this could be the Golden Ticket!*

*Hopefully available in Matte Black and Glossy White, not Gold

 

[fblack]

yes!

Dang it, I want one now. I would want a dang Tablet Apple. iTABLET anybody?

yes, darn straight. I know quite a few people who would go for this. I'm ready for an itablet now. ultraportale is cool if true, but tablet iwant nooowww!

 

[jayb2000]

I'd go for that

Thanks.

I think Apple could do it really well, make a nice package that was pocketable, plus bluetooh headphones. I know everyone does not want this, but I would love to be able to schlep photos to relatives, look up restaurants on the fly, maybe use it for attending classes (with a decent mic to record the lectures as AAC 128kbs) and the key board for notes.

I think it could be very handy for lots of people.
Plus imagine the medical industry. With HIPAA, OS X would make palm tops for Doctors and Nurses much simpler, more secure and would match their white coats!


I was trying to think of a good size, and I found my pocket calendar.
You know, one of these:

4"x7" would allow for a 8" screen plus bezel.
I think that could be a good size for what I am talking about.
Its not an iPhone, its a PDA, and a damn good one at that.
If it happens