Ultrabooks are Macbook Air clones

[Hellhammer]

A natural progression? Possibly.

Then again, half the initiatives, product directions and announcements in the industry are responses to Apple, or anticipation of what Apple might do in the future.

This is how it's been for years. These "natural progressions" mysteriously seem to come after Apple has done the natural progressing first. Then, after witnessing Apple's results, the industry deems it "safe" to move ahead en masse. Suddenly everyone releases an iPad competitor. Suddenly everyone is out with an "ultrabook", etc. And they usually don't get it right the way Apple did it the first time around.

Apple sneezes, everyone grabs a Kleenex.

That's the benefit of doing almost everything in-house. There were products similar to MBA and iPad before they were launched but they were never popular. Why? Take a look at e.g. iPad. What other company has the skills for hardware and software? Samsung, LG, HTC, Lenovo etc are just hardware companies. Nokia comes to my mind but they would still be selling us dumbphones if it was only up to them. Microsoft is software only and Google wasn't into OSs until a few years ago.

I think Apple was the only viable company that could come up with a totally new product category like tablets. They have the people for hardware and software. We had "tablets" running Windows before iPad but due to the lack of optimization, they never saw the mainstream spotlight.

As for MBA, the first revisions weren't very popular. It ran hot and the SSD version needed you to take a mortgage. The 2010 update made it truly popular. SSD prices had gotten low enough and Intel&NVidia had components that were finally cool enough for such a small machine. Other OEMs didn't jump in in 2008 because the market was much smaller. Now others are following Apple and coming up with Ultrabooks. This doesn't really have much to do with vertical integration but Apple was simply brave enough to make such device in 2008 and wait two years for the product to become what it should have been in 2008. Apple already had an ultraportable in 2008, that's why they were the first to make them popular. Others saw the success of 2010 MBA and are now following the path of that success.

 

[*LTD*]

That's the benefit of doing almost everything in-house. There were products similar to MBA and iPad before they were launched but they were never popular. Why? Take a look at e.g. iPad. What other company has the skills for hardware and software? Samsung, LG, HTC, Lenovo etc are just hardware companies. Nokia comes to my mind but they would still be selling us dumbphones if it was only up to them. Microsoft is software only and Google wasn't into OSs until a few years ago.

I think Apple was the only viable company that could come up with a totally new product category like tablets. They have the people for hardware and software. We had "tablets" running Windows before iPad but due to the lack of optimization, they never saw the mainstream spotlight.

As for MBA, the first revisions weren't very popular. It ran hot and the SSD version needed you to take a mortgage. The 2010 update made it truly popular. SSD prices had gotten low enough and Intel&NVidia had components that were finally cool enough for such a small machine. Other OEMs didn't jump in in 2008 because the market was much smaller. Now others are following Apple and coming up with Ultrabooks. This doesn't really have much to do with vertical integration but Apple was simply brave enough to make such device in 2008 and wait two years for the product to become what it should have been in 2008.

You've outlined the situation perfectly, and alluded to one of my wishes: another Apple-like competitor, dedicated to vertical integration and building on priorities around user experience.

Imagine how far the state of consumer technology would advance (and in how short a time) if there were another Apple-like competitor who could beat them at their own game.

 

[juliusaugustus]

That's the benefit of doing almost everything in-house. There were products similar to MBA and iPad before they were launched but they were never popular. Why? Take a look at e.g. iPad. What other company has the skills for hardware and software? Samsung, LG, HTC, Lenovo etc are just hardware companies. Nokia comes to my mind but they would still be selling us dumbphones if it was only up to them. Microsoft is software only and Google wasn't into OSs until a few years ago.

I think Apple was the only viable company that could come up with a totally new product category like tablets. They have the people for hardware and software. We had "tablets" running Windows before iPad but due to the lack of optimization, they never saw the mainstream spotlight.

As for MBA, the first revisions weren't very popular. It ran hot and the SSD version needed you to take a mortgage. The 2010 update made it truly popular. SSD prices had gotten low enough and Intel&NVidia had components that were finally cool enough for such a small machine. Other OEMs didn't jump in in 2008 because the market was much smaller. Now others are following Apple and coming up with Ultrabooks. This doesn't really have much to do with vertical integration but Apple was simply brave enough to make such device in 2008 and wait two years for the product to become what it should have been in 2008. Apple already had an ultraportable in 2008, that's why they were the first to make them popular. Others saw the success of 2010 MBA and are now following the path of that success.

I disagree with the idea of Verticle integration because it is really just a fancy word for incompatibility with open standards and vendor lock in. Apple isn't the only industry leading company using verticle integration both Sony and HTC come to mind with various kinds of verticle in. The original macbook air was an expensive niche product so very few companies wanted to compete with it and that is understandable.

 

[KnightWRX]

Nokia comes to my mind but they would still be selling us dumbphones if it was only up to them.

Actually, Nokia did bring us the "iPad" before the iPad, ie, a mobile Tablet device with a dedicated mobile OS on it. Back in 2005 :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_770_Internet_Tablet

They've had mild success with the line-up that sprang from it (the N800 and the N810 after the 770).

What Apple had and others that tried lacked was marketing.

 

[Hellhammer]

I disagree with the idea of Verticle integration because it is really just a fancy word for incompatibility with open standards and vendor lock in. Apple isn't the only industry leading company using verticle integration both Sony and HTC come to mind with various kinds of verticle in.

But Apple is the only one with in-house hardware and software. E.g. Samsung has far more control over the hardware because they manufacture most of the components they use (SoCs, DRAM, NAND, LCDs, etc.) but rely on 3rd party software.

Sure, there is always some incompatibility but overall, I think Apple's products are pretty universal. You don't need a Mac to use an iPhone. You can access NTFS volumes in OS X and even run Windows in Macs.

The original macbook air was an expensive niche product so very few companies wanted to compete with it and that is understandable.

But now they are late. The original MBA had a very small market but it all changed in 2010. It's now considered as a mainstream product. Heck, it's the only sub-$1000 laptop from Apple. Others started drawing blueprints of their mainstream ultrabooks when Apple already had one in the market.

 

[*LTD*]

What Apple had and others that tried lacked was marketing.

If it were only that simple.

 

[MorphingDragon]

Actually, Nokia did bring us the "iPad" before the iPad, ie, a mobile Tablet device with a dedicated mobile OS on it. Back in 2005 :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_770_Internet_Tablet

They've had mild success with the line-up that sprang from it (the N800 and the N810 after the 770).

What Apple had and others that tried lacked was marketing.

Dude, those things sucked harder than a black hole. It wasn't just marketing.

 

[roadbloc]

That's nice looking but I have to say I absolutely hate the little red joystick pointer. I've used enough thinkpads in my life and that's the one thing that is never being used. From the people I know and work with, that opinion is shared. Makes me wonder if anyone really uses that.

Haha, its interesting you say that because I love the track-nipples on ThinkPads. I've seen some newer ones (I have a 600X) and they have both a trackpad and a track-nipple on them so I guess you have a choice now.

 

[*LTD*]

I think the whole timing of the industry suddenly making their ultrabook move shortly after Apple, just like they made their big tablet move right after Apple, just like they made their big smartphone move right after Apple, happens to have caught his attention (and not just his.)

Coincidences, coincidences . . .

 

[roadbloc]

I think the whole timing of the industry suddenly making their ultrabook move shortly after Apple, just like they made their big tablet move right after Apple, just like they made their big smartphone move right after Apple, happens to have caught his attention (and not just his.)

Coincidences, coincidences . . .

Ultrabooks and Tablets existed before Apple made them. One thing I will give Apple, they tend to get it right, hence the recent popularity of their products. But sometimes it does take a few attempts. The first gen MBAs were hideous.

 

[maflynn]

Ultrabooks and Tablets existed before Apple made them. One thing I will give Apple, they tend to get it right, hence the recent popularity of their products. But sometimes it does take a few attempts. The first gen MBAs were hideous.

In the case of tablets, apple got it right in thinking that it was enough to just produce the hardware. They got everything lined up before the hardware. The OS, the content, the app store.

This is one reason why Amazon's Kindle Fire is a huge success, they followed the same recipe - making sure everything before the hardware was set up.

 

[Molecule]

I'm sick of hearing people say the Zenbook is a MacBook Air clone. The Zenbook has one of the better (and more original) ultrabook designs IMO.

 

[sk1wbw]

3 pages and no one gets it. The entire tech industry predicted doom for Apple for releasing a laptop with no optical drive and now the entire tech industry sees the popularity of it and is now doing the same thing. That's called hypocrisy.

 

[*LTD*]

3 pages and no one gets it. The entire tech industry predicted doom for Apple for releasing a laptop with no optical drive and now the entire tech industry sees the popularity of it and is now doing the same thing. That's called hypocrisy.

The industry outside Apple is adrift. It's been this way for several years now. Jony Ive and co. are doing the industry's collective R&D. The lack of initiative and imagination outside of Cupertino is pretty shocking. But look at the priorities of these also-rans. Not so shocking after all. The same old way of doing business for years. Same old strategy.

Except these days they've woken up to the fact that consumers want to be excited and delighted by tech, but only understand Apple's game halfway, whereas Apple's turned it into an exact, almost formulaic science years ago. It's like watching Michael Phelps swim and saying "hey I can do that! I just gotta move my arms that way!"

This is why I've given up on non-Apple products that claim to take their cue from Apple (or appear to do it.) I'd just as soon get the real thing. The rest of the flotsam and jetsam that has seemingly no connection to Apple, mostly confirms my reason for moving to Apple in the first place.

Still waiting on an Apple-like competitor who a) uses a vertical business model and takes it seriously, and b) cares about tech as much as Apple - it's all in the details.

 

[vitzr]

In the case of tablets, apple got it right in thinking that it was enough to just produce the hardware. They got everything lined up before the hardware. The OS, the content, the app store.

Yes they did. Apple applied what they've learned over the years.

Not only did they have the hardware & software ready, but they invested years in cultivating Pro-Apple journalists, bloggers, and other high profile people outside of Apple. Some working for prestigious publications like the New York Times.

Mossberg
Pogue
Swisher

Others such as Gruber... and on and on the list goes.

Apple Evangelists that are given first access before the public release of computers or iPhones. Any new product for that matter. All with the unspoken agreement to praise them in their reviews.

Reviews that are ready to be published before any others. Thereby insuring their web sites and publications will be the first to garner attention. A brilliant strategy giving Apple a massive advantage.

All Things Digital is the offspring of Mossberg and Pogues bosom buddy relationship with Jobs. The trifecta was bringing Kara into the mix at the New York Times to appeal to the ladies. This high profile trio has converted more mainstream readers into believers in the Apple way, than any Apple ad campaign could ever achieve.

In addition is the fact that graybeard Mossberg appeals to the grannies, baby boomers and other seniors that read the Times but would never go to CNET or Engadget. This fact reveals Jobs true brilliance in marketing. The man had the ability to convince people to buy into his line of thinking. They admired his arrogance, strength, and power.

They also knew that if they crossed Jobs, they'd pay. Before Mossberg was empowered by All Things Apple, the Times had nothing prior to draw eyes to the tech section of the publication. From zero to hero, Jobs made Mossberg a star. He suddenly was an "Authority" to be listened to. The old man with new life breathed into him by the younger Jobs. A perfect match of young and old.

The result was greater than even Jobs anticipated. What an advantage Apple has for themselves.

 

[smoledman]

The industry outside Apple is adrift. It's been this way for several years now. Jony Ive and co. are doing the industry's collective R&D. The lack of initiative and imagination outside of Cupertino is pretty shocking. But look at the priorities of these also-rans. Not so shocking after all. The same old way of doing business for years. Same old strategy.

Except these days they've woken up to the fact that consumers want to be excited and delighted by tech, but only understand Apple's game halfway, whereas Apple's turned it into an exact, almost formulaic science years ago. It's like watching Michael Phelps swim and saying "hey I can do that! I just gotta move my arms that way!"

This is why I've given up on non-Apple products that claim to take their cue from Apple (or appear to do it.) I'd just as soon get the real thing. The rest of the flotsam and jetsam that has seemingly no connection to Apple, mostly confirms my reason for moving to Apple in the first place.

Still waiting on an Apple-like competitor who a) uses a vertical business model and takes it seriously, and b) cares about tech as much as Apple - it's all in the details.

Everything you said is 100% truth especially the part about Ive & his team doing the collective R&D for an entire world PC industry.

 

[*LTD*]

Everything you said is 100% truth especially the part about Ive & his team doing the collective R&D for an entire world PC industry.

Then you can imagine how surprised I was to find this on Neowin (of all places) today. Some lovely (and familiar-looking) photos are included here:

http://www.neowin.net/news/its-official-2012-is-the-year-of-macbook-clones

It's official, 2012 is the year of Macbook clones

There's no bitterness here at all, we've always wanted to own a PC that looks a little like a Macbook Air, if we're honest with ourselves. This is the year that that wish will come true, with a host of Ultrabooks that look almost like the real deal assaulting our eye sockets at CES.

Now, don't get us wrong, it's great to see manufacturers actually caring about the industrial designs of the machines they're making available this year, but it'd be good to see a little more innovation instead of slapping on aluminum, making it slim and adding in illuminated keys.

Sure, Ultrabooks might be the next big thing (or maybe not), and it's great to see light, thin and powerful devices becoming available, but manufacturers need to take a step back and look at what really differentiates them from everyone else. Otherwise, they risk becoming part of the sea of Ultrabooks, indistinguishable from one another, with the Macbook Air reigning above them all.

 

[yg17]

Then you can imagine how surprised I was to find this on Neowin (of all places) today:

It's official, 2012 is the year of Macbook clones

http://www.neowin.net/news/its-official-2012-is-the-year-of-macbook-clones

Some lovely (and familiar-looking) photos are included.

None of those look anything like a MacBook

 

[smoledman]

Then you can imagine how surprised I was to find this on Neowin (of all places) today. Some lovely (and familiar-looking) photos are included here:

http://www.neowin.net/news/its-official-2012-is-the-year-of-macbook-clones

It's official, 2012 is the year of Macbook clones
Sure, Ultrabooks might be the next big thing (or maybe not), and it's great to see light, thin and powerful devices becoming available, but manufacturers need to take a step back and look at what really differentiates them from everyone else. Otherwise, they risk becoming part of the sea of Ultrabooks, indistinguishable from one another, with the Macbook Air reigning above them all.

The funny thing is Macbook Air sales will probably be double all combined ultrabooks in 2012.

 

[Bernard SG]

None of those look anything like a MacBook

Seriously?

----------

The funny thing is Macbook Air sales will probably be double all combined ultrabooks in 2012.

That's probably a very optimistic prediction.

Most of those products are expensive (Yes, more than a MacBook Air). That won't fly with Windows users consumer-profiles.

 

[roadbloc]

The funny thing is Macbook Air sales will probably be double all combined ultrabooks in 2012.

I guess 2012 is the year that Apple takes the majority in the PC marketshare then?

 

[smoledman]

I guess 2012 is the year that Apple takes the majority in the PC marketshare then?

Maybe 2013, let's not get our hopes up.

 

[roadbloc]

Maybe 2013, let's not get our hopes up.

Haha, are you nuts? Its never going to happen. Not at the prices they currently sell at. The only way Apple is going to gain marketshare in the Desktop and Laptop markets is if they offer a very cheap Mac. The average computer user cannot justify paying £1000 for a computer, not when you can get one at the same specs for £300-£500 that does exactly the same with software they're already familiar with.

Obviously, offering a cheaper mac will have implications to what Apple is known for, and that is a quality, durable product. They'll have either cut their profit margin or use cheaper materials.

 

[smoledman]

Haha, are you nuts? Its never going to happen. Not at the prices they currently sell at.

Every time I go to my Apple Store the Mac counter is mobbed and I see people leaving with iMac boxes in both hands. Everyone is switching to Macs.

 

[DingleButt]

Every time I go to my Apple Store the Mac counter is mobbed and I see people leaving with iMac boxes in both hands. Everyone is switching to Macs.

LOL