[macabella]

10" screen, no drive, paper thin, ultra-light.

THIS is the machine Apple should be offering its large urban warrior market segment (NYC, Tokyo, London, Paris, Hong Kong, etc). We're not commuting by car, and in fact may not even own one. We're on subways and buses, or running to catch planes. Most of us are not producing feature films, don't need to re-install software daily, and already have plenty of storage space in tiny packages, i.e., CD/DVD drive is rarely used.

Here in Japan, a hugely important market for Apple, this type of product is flying off the shelves. (And the "finger size" argument doesn't hold up).

Does Steve not get it?

Anyone else interested in such a machine?

[DeathToWindows]

So, we're talking an updated duo or 3400? external opticals and all taht?

its an idea

[Lateralus]

I find it odd that the company that brought the notebook to the masses with the PowerBook 100, a notebook that was incredibly small for it's time and still considered to be very small, appears to be the least enthusiastic about jumping into the sub-notebook market.

Its just another example of Apple abandoning market segments that they created in the first place. Same thing with the Newton.

[Lateralus]

Originally posted by DeathToWindows:
So, we're talking an updated duo or 3400? external opticals and all taht?

its an idea

The 3400 was actually quite a hulk of a computer. A better example would be the 2400. Which to this day, especially in Japan as macabella can tell you, enjoys a cult following.

[bleee]

Your answers from Sony and Toshiba although I'm sure in Japan these things are considered out dated =P

[mikithecrackhead]

Most of us are not producing feature films, don't need to re-install software daily, and already have plenty of storage space in tiny packages,

Thats a good idea, they could target the high end pda market. I would buy it

[ccsccs7]

Originally posted by macabella:
10" screen, no drive, paper thin, ultra-light.

THIS is the machine Apple should be offering its large urban warrior market segment (NYC, Tokyo, London, Paris, Hong Kong, etc). We're not commuting by car, and in fact may not even own one. We're on subways and buses, or running to catch planes. Most of us are not producing feature films, don't need to re-install software daily, and already have plenty of storage space in tiny packages, i.e., CD/DVD drive is rarely used.

Here in Japan, a hugely important market for Apple, this type of product is flying off the shelves. (And the "finger size" argument doesn't hold up).

Does Steve not get it?

Anyone else interested in such a machine?

My dream 'book! Yes, I've always wanted the smallest computer (but with "all" the functionality" of a larger build). I've always envied Penny's (of Inspector Gadget) Computer Book. Those little gadgets on Star Trek have always gotten my attention as well. I've actually made a design for a smaller form factor Powerbook with a flold out keyboard. I'll have to scan it and post it later.

(With a computer without a media drive, and designed for portability, I think it should at least have a PC card slot, don't you think?)

[mikeini]

i definitly agree with you that apple should delve into the sub-notebook market. the next big thing in laptops will be the widescreens you see now (kinda ironic since it DEFEATS THE POINT OF A LAPTOP) and the smallest 10" screen thats retardedly portable and can do everything you need and more.

the epitome of this is the sony. i have played with it and would actually get it over the ibook, but the problem lies in price. it has the best of everything - size, weight, features, and even sony's version of isight which works rather well (and is nice how they integrated it). the sony, while insane, just isnt yet worth 2200 or more.

i think thats what's holding apple back.

and if they did, i think it would prob be either a new line. . like the iPod mini or a pb, not an ibook (due to price constraints).

my 2 cents, but wow. i would be all over that in a second.

[RadarBob2]

apple did delve into the sub-notebook; it was called duo. Small, designed to dock with a fullsized monitor, keyboard, and optional accessories.

[mike one]

i'm not sure i'd get one, but i do think it would be a viable product for apple.

i think there is a market for sub-notebooks, duh, and apple should have a presence there!


i could see a subnotebook + a desktop being a good choice for myself, but right now it isn't a choice. sticking with a laptop as my main machine...

[iREZ]

Same here, sub notebooks are cool but my powerbook is pretty damn small already, I dont really think I'd need anything smaller.

[ginoledesma]

I'd like one myself, especially if its priced competitively like the iBook. Sell it at, oh say, $799-$899 and you'll have a good chance in the market. The Combo drive can go, but Airport Extreme should be built-in, as well as Bluetooth if possible. One USB port, one firewire port, line out, maybe VGA out and that's that. And make it weight 3lbs max! 10" screen, not too bad.

Only thing I detest about subnotebooks is the absurdly small keyboards. Yeah, I've got big, fat fingers, so sue me.

[dracoleb]

One of Apple's advertising points is that they can have a small light notebook without, using Job's words, neutering it by not having an optical drive. I think the 12"powerbook is as small as we are likely to see for a while, perhaps a bit thinner. An optical drive in anything smaller would leave little room for the logic board or anything else.

[d4nth3m4n]

something like this?

[ccsccs7]

Originally posted by d4nth3m4n:
something like this?

That actually looks pretty cool. But a little too Communicator (as in Nokia) to me (in the length).

Anyway, here's the drawing I promised:



This was back in the "old" days. (Notice the apple is orientated "correctly" however.) The curves at the bottem were meant to fit your hip (the big one in the center) and also to fit between your legs (the two outer curves). Just under the screen is the keyboard that folds out to both sides; this way you get a small package to carry, but a full size keyboard. Sorry about not having the "open" picture. I only did this one.

[ginoledesma]

It's a tad too pencil-case-like for my taste. The Nokia Communicators are horrible (in my opinion). Your thumbs will never be as good as typing as the rest of the fingers on a regular keyboard.

But good mock-up, nonetheless.

[mikeini]

what is that? is that pshopped?

[Simon]

Originally posted by mikeini:
what is that? is that pshopped?

Yes, and it's missing a trackpad...

[ryju]

10 inch screen? No one will able to see that!

[mike one]

Originally posted by Simon:
Yes, and it's missing a trackpad...

maybe it is time apple developed a laser assitted eye pointer, thingy. you could blink twice to double click.

[ginoledesma]

Or maybe, to save on space, they could use the IBM rupper-eraser trackpoint thingy. Though I've never been comfortable with those.

[winCEman]

I've got a Fuhitsu Lifebook P2046, I totally LOVE it. It runs xp pro, 10.6 in widescreen, 800 mhz, built in Wifi, 40 GB HD, 384mb ram, combo drive, 3 batteries (1 standard & 2 double life), firewire, 2 usb, super video out and lots of other bells and whistles! I just wish the Crusoe cpu was a little speedier.

An Apple version would totally rock, but not soo small that it needs external drives. I really think you guys got something here. I would buy one.

[ghporter]

Originally posted by ryju:
10 inch screen? No one will able to see that!

I thought the 12 inch screen on our iBook was going to be too small...but I was wrong! A 12 inch display is really pretty big. A 10 inch screen would be a bit more cramped, but not that bad.

[ginoledesma]

The thing is, Mac OS X has really huge type, and right now there's no OS-level support to shrink the font in the menus or everywhere.

The 12" screen alone gives me a cramped feeling (sigh! just like the old 640x480 days) -- little space for menu extras, not much room to navigate, etc. The 10" would probably feel even more tight. Windows and KDE/GNOME/xfce on Linux at least shrinks accordingly.

[Simon]

I'd prefer no screen at all.

A full-blown G4 or G5, with 3 USB, 2 FW, Gigabit, APX, BT, HD, Combo/SuperDrive, DVI but no screen, no Keyboard, no mouse.

All in the smallest enclosure Apple can come up with and a docking station. One station at the office, one at home. As soon as you get there, drop the device in the cradle and you're ready to go. You're whole digital life always with you.

Of course you need to buy a screen, keyboard, mouse, etc. but the device itself could be cheaper than an eMac.

[ginoledesma]

Sounds more like a "portable computer" rather than a mobile computer. The thing is, you won't be able to use that in places like a coffee shop, where you can have a cup of coffee while surfing the net on WiFi.

[howardholton]

I would love a design more OQO inspired - a "portable" computer (no screen or inout device) with just a dock connector and possibly a usb connector to use it a an external usb drive when the dock is not avail or needed, and a laptop dock. A small (12" or less) laptop with the LCD, Keyboard, Touchpad, optical drive, etc and a docking connector for the "portable" to fit into to convert it into a full laptop for the coffee house, or mobile need.

I would buy this device (as I plan on buying the OQO if it ever appears) as it would allow me to work whereever I am. Speed is not a requirement, though it would be nice.

[galarneau]

It's obvious that there are at least 2 markets that Apple is ignoring:

1) headless consumer desktop <= $1000

2) Ultra-light notebook <= 2.5lbs

I for one, would like both of these items.

<ELEVATED BP>

GODDAMNIT, YOU HEAR ME CUPERTINO!!!! (shakes fists at the heavens)

</ELEVATED BP>

[teknopimp]

nice idea, however i would prefer a higher resolution 13" screen and what i would really like to see is a Newton-esqe PDA type device.

[Randman]

Something like this?

[MrForgetable]

Originally posted by Randman:


Something like this?

nice. implemented the IBM spongy trackpad thing

[ccsccs7]

Originally posted by MrForgetable:
nice. implemented the IBM spongy trackpad thing

I didn't even notice that! So, does it act as the button too? (That's gotta be fun for drag and drop.)

[greenamp]

Ummmm...

Apple makes a 12" iBook that weighs about 5lbs if you guys didnt realize

What more could u ask for?

[escher]

Originally posted by greenamp:
Apple makes a 12" iBook that weighs about 5lbs if you guys didnt realize
What more could u ask for?

Duh, a 3 lbs sub-PowerBook!

Don't need no stinkin' optical drive.

Escher

[greenamp]

I just don't understand what you would suddenly be able to do with a 10" , 3 lb notebook that wasn't just as easy to do with a 12", 5 lb notebook?

[escher]

Originally posted by greenamp:
I just don't understand what you would suddenly be able to do with a 10" , 3 lb notebook that wasn't just as easy to do with a 12", 5 lb notebook?

Carry an additional 2 lbs of digital lifestyle gadgets.

Seriously, my desire for a 3 lbs sub-PowerBook has always been ideological and theoretical, rather than pragmatic (i.e. based on absolute, essential, unavoidable needs). That is especially true now that I am the proud owner of a 4.6 lbs Rev.C 12-inch PowerBook, which I use as a desktop replacement with an external 17" DVI LCD and Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse when I am not on the go.

Escher

[Tenacious Dyl]

When you are talking about a 10" screen and no media drives... basically processor / mobile graphics / small harddrive / small small keyboard we are almost hitting into the PDA DEPARTMENT.

I think that each year the highest end PDA's are getting closer to ultra small notebooks. Yes there is a huge performance gap.. but people with a 10" screen hardly need that much speed.

I think soon enough if apple or another company doesn't step in, there is going to be a slightly larger PDA out there that has its own OS that can do simple things like email, browse online, record audio notes, etc.

Who will make it? Who knows.. Palm, Sony-Erickson... its up in the air, but so open for grabbing.

[pysan]

I could totally see using something like this, and dropping another 1.5-2 lbs would be a very welcome change over my 12" iBook. Not that it is a tank like those 8-9 lbs PC laptops everyone else in my classes have, but bringing my iBook everywhere I go in my backpack along with any books I need for school really starts to get heavy after a while. So even another two pounds would be great to have gone. Also, I honestly can't tell you when the last time I used my optical drive was??? I make disc images of the few games I play, like WC3 and such, so I never actually need the disk in the drive. With hard drives getting so much bigger all the time, it would not take much to keep such a 3lb laptop away from an optical drive for at least the day out away, if not a lot longer. Also, if it has airport installed, you can just connect to your desktop to backup and such things like that.

That's my thoughts...

[greenamp]

[andreas_g4]

I really don't know if Apple would build such a thing, but I'd really prefer a combination of a Sub-iBook and an iMac rather than only a full featured portable.

[MichaelNH]

I was actually just talking to a coworker the other day about this. I already have other powerbooks/ibooks that I can use if I want more functionality.. but I think I use the CD/DVD player maybe once a month if that.. I never ever burn on my laptops... you would really need some kind of optical drive to install software.. They do make an ultra thin slot loading drive, so that shouldn't be a problem... and having a hard drive of like 4-6 GB's. Having built in wireless would be awesome. I don't like carrying around my ibook from room to room in my house to surf... if I am going out with it to a cafe, I'd rather have something extremely light that I can drop into an ultra thing bag to take with me. Putting the iPod hard drive in side an ultra thin laptop, would be great... trimming the OS ie; getting rid of all the language that gets installed.. a very customized OS, but with full functions of OS X. I'd easily pay like $499 - $599 for something like that. A 10" screen but thin, would be so perfect! A G4 running at like 800MHz or even 667MHz would work.. keep it cool temp wise and use little power.. for me it would be an ideal music player and web surfing utility.
Just my two cents.

[Andy8]

10 inch screen. No optical drives, card slots or ports except for a single firewire 800 port for an optional external CD drive. Built-in Airport Extreme and Bluetooth to keep you connected to everthing. I would still have a trackpad with a single button and have it like an utlrasmall iBook in style.

[carney]

I'd like to see something like the Zausrus 6000. Thing's a real computer with a vga monitor. Granted, it would not be a desktop replacement, but with an external keyboard it could serve 90% of my needs, meaning a mail client and Tex . I almost went that route myself but opted for a standerd PDA combined with my powerbook instead.

[yoyoman]

I think they should ditch a keyboard for bt keyboard and mouse.
They use a 1.8 inch drive instead of a 2.5 inch a basic optical drive just cdr/rw/dvd maybe make it thin fw800 and usb 2.0 cardbus or express card what ever its called. oled screen to make it thinner. dvi out optical out and your set. stick in a g4 and ddr2 ram or something with ecc and keep it under 1000 bucks.

[pdot]

I think a duo type subnotebook with an iMac form-factor docking station would make a great college computer. It would reach ultimate status if the graphics card can kick butt or is upgradable. Students can bring the sub to class and take notes, carry it with them to the library, and bring it home, while leaving their docking station/monitor in their rooms. With WiFi, not having a CD or floppy drive the sub will be even more flexible.

[greenamp]

Originally posted by pdot:
I think a duo type subnotebook with an iMac form-factor docking station would make a great college computer. It would reach ultimate status if the graphics card can kick butt or is upgradable. Students can bring the sub to class and take notes, carry it with them to the library, and bring it home, while leaving their docking station/monitor in their rooms. With WiFi, not having a CD or floppy drive the sub will be even more flexible.

Now that would be a great product.

[uberwald]

I'd want the <3lb notebook for sure. After I blew out a disc in may, my doctor told me not to lift or carry more than about 10lbs. A 3lb 'book would let me actually carry other things with me as well, such as a textbook, or perhaps lunch...

[OB1]

Originally posted by Andy8:
10 inch screen. No optical drives, card slots or ports except for a single firewire 800 port for an optional external CD drive. Built-in Airport Extreme and Bluetooth to keep you connected to everthing. I would still have a trackpad with a single button and have it like an utlrasmall iBook in style.

but can I have a usb port too please?

[philm]

Originally posted by PowerMacMan:
The 3400 was actually quite a hulk of a computer. A better example would be the 2400. Which to this day, especially in Japan as macabella can tell you, enjoys a cult following.

Oooh yeah the 2400. These were never officially available in the UK (the US and Japan only) but I managed to get one as a grey import. Maybe there were only a few in the country. Anyway, I have had many new Macs over the years, but opening the 2400 box and lifting it out still remains the most exciting computer-box-opening experience of them all.

[JEB]

Originally posted by escher:
Carry an additional 2 lbs of digital lifestyle gadgets.

Seriously, my desire for a 3 lbs sub-PowerBook has always been ideological and theoretical, rather than pragmatic (i.e. based on absolute, essential, unavoidable needs). That is especially true now that I am the proud owner of a 4.6 lbs Rev.C 12-inch PowerBook, which I use as a desktop replacement with an external 17" DVI LCD and Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse when I am not on the go.

Escher

Hey, Escher, nice to see you're still at-it . . . just like the ol' days of posting at O'Grady's PowerPage . . . still thinking "subnotebook"!

JEB :]