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nagromme · Oct 10, 2003, 06:31 AM

Been playing with this idea for a long time just for fun... I finally made the image somewhat presentable:

http://www.spymac.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56906

DigitalEl · Oct 10, 2003, 07:32 AM

Being a Mac, I imagine this would cost "a pretty penny," as my great grandma used to say. I couldn't imagine wanting one, when a 12" iBook or PowerBook would be just a little step-up pricewise. Or would it? What's your conceptual price for this?

It is interesting nonetheless and nice job with the mockup.

nagromme · Oct 10, 2003, 10:06 AM

Price-wise I can't say if it could fly or not. And I see it as looking to the future a bit.

But as long as it wasn't my ONLY Mac, I'd actually pay more for it (just like a regular laptop costs more than a tower: miniaturization) than I would for a 12". It's small enough to have with me always. Not so with the 12". So that would be it's main niche.

I doubt it could be built under $1000--not when I've aimed so high on the features

SEkker · Oct 10, 2003, 06:10 PM

Looks like a better implementation of Sony's UX50.

At some point, these kind of machines will be a lot more standard. Some folks don't realize how useful a machine like that would become when coupled to a ubiquitous wireless network and with good energy consumption. We now have both -- wifi and li ion batteries. We just need an equivalent processor to run OSX!

shabbasuraj · Oct 10, 2003, 06:37 PM

6" is just to small, with half sized keys...

your concept is great but it should be applied to a 12" iBook 'lite edition', which could be still useable since it has 1024x768 screen...

this 12" iB could be modelled under the 12" PB formfactor but even thinner (maybe 1/2"), and under 4 lbs...

remove the optical drive and reshape the battery as a result of this new space, utilize plastic and not metal, don't forget the AE and the BT antennas...and voila, a G3 powered 12" iBook that is super ultra portable...(hopefuly for under $1300 CDN)...

lates...

PS: isn't it great to dream, as Apple will never build these machines...

lates...(again)...

nagromme · Oct 11, 2003, 09:40 AM

True, I'm sure they never will

But a thin 12" PB wouldn't serve the purposes this would. You couldn't ALWAYS have it with you. This pocket size fits its own niche and applications.

Lots of devices (like PDAs and Blackberry email devices) have smaller keys than this--for portability. Don't think of it as a machine for day-in day-out hours of productivity.

I can't imagine too many people wanting to read the WHOLE long caption under the photo--I've pasted in ideas from lots of discussions to to make one product!--but the first point under "WHAT IT IS NOT" and the last point under "WHAT IT IS" are important:

IT'S NOT:

* A full-time replacement for a desktop/laptop. (Unless your needs are low-end, like checking email and news daily, and managing photos and music.) Not something you would use for hours at a time if you could avoid it. No touch-typing unless your hands are tiny! However... at home/work, or when visiting others, you can add an external display/mouse/keyboard and have a perfectly good desktop. It will never offer the ultimate in speed and graphics.

IT IS:

* Something small but able to do anything JUST IN CASE you need it. Sometimes you leave the house knowing you'll probably need to do some heavy-duty computing--editing photos, building web pages, 3D rendering, video effects, writing a paper, etc. So when you know you'll need a FULL-size laptop, you can take one with you! But what about the other times, when you expect you're less likely to need those things--and therefore wouldn't bother lugging any full laptop? Then what happens when you unexpectedly need--or want--your files? Your apps? Your email? Your games? Your client proposals? Your vacation photos? What if you suddenly need to check movie times, retrieve email, or look at the weather via your cell-phone and Bluetooth Internet? Or play a WiFi LAN game of Quake III from sheer boredom? What if you need to make a little change in Photoshop or Final Cut, and not have to drive to the office?

With a palmtop Mac, IF something comes up, you can do what you need to do. The small screen may not be ideal, but it will get the job done--instead of leaving you with nothing. "Better than having nothing" can be VERY useful. That's great peace of mind and great convenience. Meanwhile, if you don't need it, it sits in your pocket out of the way, rather than being a burden to lug around and protect from thieves. If you're like me, you take your laptop lots of places--not because you DO need/want it... but because you MIGHT. That's when a pocket-size Mac is ideal. (And no doubt some specific job niches would benefit too. Roaming tech support comes to mind. Maybe mount it to your wrist!)

EvanV · Oct 11, 2003, 10:38 AM

You have WAY to much time on your hands!

Interesting concept though

tooki · Oct 11, 2003, 11:42 AM

Umm, been there, done that.

The eMate 300 wasn't very popular.

I don't think they're gonna do it again.

tooki

Amorya · Oct 11, 2003, 01:25 PM

I'm thinking Psion 5 replacement. That really was pocket sized. It had 640x240 screen (could probably go a bit higher with better resolutions available now). It had tiny keys that were surprisingly usable. And it ran EPOC OS - which had a full filing system (unlike Palm) and a full Office suite. It was entirely solid state too.

If Apple could do that form factor (and with an ipod-size hard disk then I bet they could) then it'd be amazing. Give it a touchscreen too, instead of a trackpad.

Amorya

shabbasuraj · 04:05 PM

while we are dreaming....

i want a real tuff PB.. i.e. water proof, and shock proof, something that can take a drop onto concrete from 4 feet an any angle....

I know there are windows machines like this, but no readily available apple machines..

http://www.itronix.com/Products/matrix.asp

I want something that can survive a biological attack and hazardous environments, this way I know it will survive a hot coffee spill or a drop of a desk, without me worrying...

i have seen and used one of these itronix go books, and they are truly tuff....i.e. field mobility redefined....

why other companies don't expand into this market I will never know...

then again most big business strategy makes no sense to most end users....

lates...

Simon · Oct 12, 2003, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by tooki:
The eMate 300 wasn't very popular.

It also didn't run OS X, have APX, BT, FW and a G3.

The eMate 300 is no comparison for such a device.

This is rather a 12" PowerBook that can always be taken with you, in your pocket. It might not be perfect to work on alone, but hooked up to an external screen, keyboard and mouse this would be cool.

However, it won't ever happen.

HasanDaddy · Oct 12, 2003, 03:12 PM

sign me up - I would buy one!

provided that it has DVI

icruise · Oct 13, 2003, 04:05 AM

Originally posted by Simon:
It also didn't run OS X, have APX, BT, FW and a G3.

The eMate 300 is no comparison for such a device.

The emate was also about the size of the 12" powerbook, IRCC. Kind of a bizarre comparison to make, if you ask me.

But anyway, this will never fly. Apple won't even make a true subnotebook, much less something like this. The Sony computers that are similar to this are nearly impossible to use and basically only appeal to ultra-geeks with too much money.