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Compaq's Laptop/Desktop Concepts
g8oz writes "Compaq is trying to 'visioneer' its way to the future. Cringe-worthy buzzword, yes, but check out how they've combined the notebook/desktop computer into one.
Lick your lips here." Some of the ultra-thin laptop designs look interesting to me, but as to the others, there's no accounting for taste, I guess;)
Call me crazy (you wouldn't be the first) , but shouldn't we really be spending our time on thinking up new designs instead of re-hashing old ones? I mean, everyone and their mom thinks of computers the same way -- three piece units -- A monitor , a keyboard, and a beige box. There's really nothing wrong with the traditional three-piece idea, but if you really want to be unique, think up something different.
How's this: Stackable cube computers. You start with one cube. The cubes are build to be interconnectable in a cluster environment, something that is easilly do-able with low end parts right now. Put high-speed IR transcievers on the sides, and make the side panels of the cube out of translucent plastic, like the same plastic that sits infront of the emitter on a remote control. Put two of the cubes near eachother and they establish a connection, and become a node on the cluster. You could stack and arrange these cubes in any sort of shape or fashion, so long as at least one side faces a side of another cube. You could build rings of them, walls of them, or giant 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube clusters out of them.
Better still, how about modular computers that are meant to physically connect? Have a standard where everything you build has to fit within a 4x4x1" brick. You could multiply the computing power of your cluster just by going out, buying more bricks, and stacking them up. The topology of your stacking would depend upon the type of computing being done -- A linear 1D stack of bricks would be good for horsepower, but a 2D stack would be more efficient at message-passing.
Lots of things to think about instead of "Duh, here's another 3-piece. Its shiny!!"...God gave us brains, and Autodesk gave us CAD. Get to work.
Bowie
Bowie J. Poag
Considering that my need for a desktop comes from an overriding desire for expandability using cheap parts, I would never buy one of these. From the JPEGs on the site it looks like they think the big win for desktops is the higher elevation of the monitor/bigger angle between monitor and keyboard. Never mind that it's still not a full sized keyboard - it's just the same keyboard detached from the laptop and placed on the desk. And it's still using that horrific touchpad as a mouse. Don't get me started.
So let's see... I keep all of the disadvantages of a laptop - proprietary design, expensive parts, and lack of expandabilty - and add several new opportunities for mechanical failure? I don't think so. I'll reccommend it to my CEO - his friends might be impressed.
"Space Exploration is not endless circles in low earth orbit." -Buzz Aldrin
<TROLL MODE="apple zealot">
this would only be cool if Apple did it using tranlucent plastics!
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<TROLL MODE="linux zealot">
this would only be cool if the pointing device had three buttons!
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<TROLL MODE="windows luser" LEVEL="clueless">
these are going to rock so hard they'll wipe those Apple losers and those Linux geeks right off the planet! Dude!
</TROLL>
Seriously, Compaq has been making some good looking hardware for some time now (the old 3050 series desktops with the integrated LCD and cordless mouse were works of art, though a bit pricey for the day) but, as an Apple zealot, I can't get too enthused about PC hardware, even when it looks this cool. As a Linux geek, however, I'll have to give one of these babies serious consideration as my next Linux box. It'd be nice to get some of the desk space back, and get a portable machine in the bargain as well.
Well, this is purely subjective; I've been using a laptop as my main PC for >2 yrs now. And yes, I am a programmer and yes I spend >>8 hrs in front of a PC. The reason? I spend >>8 hrs in front of a PC: which means, I would like to be in control of my environment during that time, not the PC. I can work on my laptop at work, at home, on the road in an airplane, out in the balcony in this awesome weather we've been having, on my couch, etc, etc.
:-)...
Yes, laptops are more cramped (I have a MS Natural Keyboard hooked up to mine right now), but they are not necessarily slower than a desktop if they're beefy enough (RAM is important as the minute they hit a slow-ass 2.5" HD they slow down a lot) and an LCD screen is easier on the eyes for long periods of time, than even a kick ass CRT.
However, you're right, I too would like a VGA-in port. I have a coupla small boxes doing server work (NAT, etc) and having those ugly old CRTs around cramps my style
Well it certainly looks nice, but nice looks does not make for a good laptop. I've had crappy experiences with their server line (Proliant's) which would make me think 3 times before personally buying anything for myself from Compaq. I do however wonder how this will stand up to CEO types who like the VAIO, certainly this is a better looking laptop than Sony.
Damnit I wish they'd bring back the good old Tadpoles to whip some ass on the market. It's a shame they were so expensive =[ I've used one for a few months as a job requirement some while back and feel in love with it.
Want Root?
i believe that a lot of these PC manufacturers are going to move to designs such as this. the PC market has become a commodity of "cheap parts" that can be slapped together easily. "brand name" manufacturers are looking for ways of differentiating themselves from mom&pop computer store-style computers as they can't compete on the very thin margins of PCs (well under 5%). they need to make something sufficiently different from the do-it-yourself computer world so they can extract higher margins for their computers.
Apple has 5% of the desktop market for personal computers yet they make more money than PC manufacturers with double that marketshare. this is because they've differentiated themselves enough to extract up to a 25% margin on their personal computers. in a market slowdown like we're seeing, Compaq and the likes can't help but be jealous with their measly margins. they like their server or laptop business where they too extract margins around 20% (note how even Apple can be very price competitive in the laptop market).
as long as the computer companies can sufficiently differentiate their product they'll be able to charge higher margins, period. that's why you'll see a lot more of these non-upgradeable proprietary computers. very few people here like that idea, but then most of the people here are concerned with cost above all, regardless of form. i think you'll find most people with a fair amount of disposable income will go with these new Compaq boxes, for better or for worse. i like them personally, but then i'm a Mac user too ;).
- j
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Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
I don't know, BUT compaq could be onto something.
Computers that transform. I mean we have all seen trucks that transform(optimus prime), planes that transform(starscream), or even dinosaurs(grimlock).
Though I wonder if they would make that cool noise when they transform.
hehe
At the moment this looks like pure hype.
..I think that's more or less the definiton of "Visioneering".
-- If no truths are spoken then no lies can hide --
I don't see the point of the two first designs on that page at all. I mean, fine, the screen elevates a bit, and the keyboard comes loose, but looking like a desktop doesn't make it a desktop. It'll still have all the problems normally associated with laptops; low performance, cramped keyboard, and a low-contrast low-brightness screen. The added mechanics of those designs will just add to the price and complexity of the product.
One thing that may be of use is what looks like a detachable mouse; I for one don't like having the mouse or equivalent centered in front of me. But the result looks like a tiny little thing which wouldn't be any better. If that's the alternative, I don't mind having to carry around an extra mouse with my laptop at all.
-- If no truths are spoken then no lies can hide --
In fact many startups buy laptops+replicator/docking station to replace normal desktops, to faciliate high mobility and save space.
:)
It also make it easier for them to pack their stuffs when their company go under.
... having them work better together?
I have both a laptop and a desktop. I use my desktop probably 80-90% of the time. The desktop is more configurable, more powerful, and much more comfortable to use. Replacing it with a laptop would be ridiculous.
Meanwhile, my laptop sits around collecting dust, unless I'm travelling or need to transport files to/from work.
Looking at some of those Compaq photos that separated the screen from the keyboard gave me an idea:
I'd like to see laptops with VGA-in ports. It might be kind of cool to use a laptop as an LCD screen (this could be particularly useful as a second monitor). After all, if you spend $2000 on a laptop--a good portion of which covers the cost of the LCD--wouldn't it be nice to get as much use out of its screen as possible?
It might also be interesting if you could hook up a laptop to a desktop so that the desktop sees the laptop as removeable storage, a PCMCIA drive, etc.
Now secret government agencies can start losing their desktop boxen too
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