It's a Laptop - It's a Desktop

pcman cuts and pastes: "Amidst the hollowed halls and exhibition floor of the Jacob Javits Center here, one beacon of innovation shone brightly at the TechXNY trade show. At a time when even the show's keynote speakers failed to generate headlines, IBM showed off the might of its design savoir-faire akin to the European assault on the Big Three automakers by German designers and engineer."

Comments

It's a Laptop, it's a Desktop...

[Anonymous Coward]

...it's a dessert topping!

Am I the only one that...

[clifgriffin]

...fails to see the use of this? Honestly, I can think of any real way this would help over a normal (priced) laptop. I guess it is neat you can opt to have the screen at a different height and angle, but I don't know.. I can personally live without it for a long time. Clif

Re:Am I the only one that...

[gl4ss]

i'd think the target market would be people who don't move it much around (hence, have a real mouse attached and have it in the desktop position most of the time) and don't usually need to haul it anywhere, but when yhey would have to (like once per month or even less often) they can take that computer with them.

of course, the advantage over just having a laptop that you attach to a normal screen(and plug stuff into) isn't much. i guess in a case where a worker has to work one month at place a and then another month at place b and then returning to a for a month.. it could be useful/handy/comfortable to no t have the need for seperate screens and keyboards at both a and b to achive the non laptop feeling.

Re:Am I the only one that...

[Soko]

As tech savy users, you and I are willing to put up with the compromises of a laptop - screen and keyboard at a fixed distance, screen at a fixed height, etc. We understand how they are engineered and why those limitations exist. Yes, IBMs design adds a bit of complexity to a laptop, which isn't good. Or is it?

A non-techie usually isn't willing to accept the limitations of a laptop - witness the amount of docking stations and extra perepherals bought by people who want a full size keyboard and an adjustable screen. I have seen very, very few docking stations that were reliable and inexpensive. Nothing like adding cost and complexity in the name of convenience, eh?

This is an elegant way of simplifying the design for those who don't want to be limited by current laptop design. IMHO, simpler == better. I like what they've done - add a proper tilt to the keyboard, a USB keypad and there's really nothing else you need to have your PC and take it with you, too. Note that USB devices are intended to be hot-plugged - Linux and Windows (most flavours of it anyway) handle USB changes with elan.

Now, I just need the $BLING$ to acquire one...

Soko

Re:Am I the only one that...

[los furtive]

Because when you're working at a desk (and not on your lap), it's nice when the keyboard isn't 2 inches away from the screen. It's also nice when the screen isn't at the same height as your nipples (applies to all sexes).

I use my notebook as a desktop and wouldn't have it any other way, but to currently overcome the above limitations, I am forced to use a 17inch screen on a stand. By doing so the keyboard is nolonger right at the screen since I'm looking at a different screen. I don't bother using a second keyboard since I am rather fond of the tight layout of my notebook's keyboard.

Those convertible notebooks seem to overcome these issues, without having to have extra peripherals. Now you CAN take it with you.

Re:Am I the only one that...

[dlur]

It's also nice when the screen isn't at the same height as your nipples (applies to all sexes).

Why on earth would a 70 year old lady want to have the screen down by her knees? Don't you realize that old ladies have sagging eyesight as well as sagging...

Re:Am I the only one that...

[Richthofen80]

You obviously don't own a laptop. I support a company who has a large percentage (70%) of users who work from home/ have laptops. While in the office, everyone has a desktop. The idea that the dock goes with you, and can be set up anywhere, is the ideal situation. No more craning/aching while on the road, but the ability to set up in small places as well (airplanes).

Almost nobody here has a laptop w/o a docking station/port replicator. the idea that it could be set up anywhere makes the office truly mobile.

PS IBM makes a GREAT laptop. Their X series, including the X31, are incredible.

Re:Am I the only one that...

[merlin_jim]

i guess in a case where a worker has to work one month at place a and then another month at place b and then returning to a for a month..

Or how about a business or technology consultant. Many times I'll be at a client site, doing real work on site, for weeks at a time, on my laptop. Anything to make this situation a little more comfortable for me, I'm for it...

Re:Am I the only one that...

[JaredOfEuropa]

If you use your laptop a lot on travels, you'll appreciate the advantages of this model. The advantage doesn't show itself when you use on your lap, for example whilst in an airplane, but it does when you sit down in your hotel room or the client's office for a few hours of work. Most laptops are awful for prolonged work periods. Sure you can hook up an external keyboard to a regular laptop, but you'll have to lug it along all the time, and the screen remains at an awkward position.

I need my data and applications in many different locations, and I hate having to lug around an extra keyboard, not to mention having to hunt around for a few thick books to prop my laptop on and bring the screen to a comfortable height. I'd love to have a laptop like this.

Re:Am I the only one that...

[xanadu-xtroot.com]

Because when you're working at a desk (and not on your lap), it's nice when the keyboard isn't 2 inches away from the screen.

That's what a docking station is for, isn't it?

So it's a laptop

[fuzzix]

which can be configured to take up more of my desk space?
How useful. Excuse me while I rush out to purchase one.

Re:So it's a laptop

[BillyZ]

It's a laptop that can be configured into a more comfortable usable position once you get to the hotel your staying at on your business trips. I don't know about you, but @ 6'3" I don't particularly like hunching over a laptop everytime I'm not at my office to work at my desktop.

Re:So it's a laptop

[aborchers]

At first I thought my technolust was just fueled by the stylishness and because-we-can appeal of this thing, but then I realized it would have a very real advantage to me:

I have an ANSI spec workstation desk at home with a drop-down keyboard tray. The tray must be in the down position to be comfortable, and it is not wide enough to hold a notebook. Ergo, this kind of machine would be great for the road and for a console on my desktop.

Of course buying a new desk or higher chair would probably still be cheaper!

Transformers

[orpheus2000]

I'm getting two, an IBM and Dell, and then I'm putting an autobot sign on my IBM and a decepticon on my Dell. At night, they'll battle for supremecy!

Re:Transformers

[kurosawdust]

OK Check it...hook them both up to a network and load SETI@Home on each. Then write a script that will check at the end of the day which of them has completed more SETI units and have that one play some trash-talking sound files to the other. (bonus points if you work some lego mindstorms in there to actually physically whoop up on the lesser computer)

[Super bonus points if you get one of them to change into an eighteen-wheeler and star in a cartoon]

This looks cool, but...

[vacaboca]

...as a constant laptop user, I'm not sure I like the concept of having the thing able to break into pieces by design.

What's the point?

[Xpilot]

Just because the screen is propped up a bit and the keyboard detached, it's still a notebook, with a cramped keyboard, missing mouse, practically unupgradable interior.

Innovation?

[Amiga Lover]

I'm not so much sure I'd call IBM innovators here. These concepts have been around for a long time before IBM

For example, the Atari laptop which looked in the same form factor as current ones. IBM Stole that design and produced its first thinkpad. Soon after, Apple stole the design again and produced the first Powerbook

Odd who gets the credit isn't it? It's Apple.

Re:Innovation?

[cosmo7]

Apple must have been using their time machine:

Powerbook: October 1991
ThinkPad: October 1992

The STacy has "the same form factor" in as much as it is a clamshell design, which had already been done by Toshiba.

i'll stick to a powerbook

[lavaface]

the detachable keyboard is kind of neat, but if I want to turn a notebook into a desktop, I'll attach a VGA monitor and use a seperate bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I'm sorry, but origami or no, Apple has IBM beat hands down in the elegant engineering dept.

It's still as annoying as a laptop.

[gpinzone]

Just because you can detach the keyboard doesn't mean it magically becomes a desktop computer. You still can't do things like slap in a Radeon 9800 Pro, the keyboard is still small, you still have to plug in a mouse, etc.

Fewer desktops, more laptops

[scottganyo]

Truth is that more and more, people are buying laptops instead of desktops. Just about every computer (desktop or laptop) on the market today is capable of efficiently performing every task the average user asks of it. So, I think for most people it comes down to price and versatility. And, while laptops are more expensive, they have been dropping in price significantly and there is no question that they are easily more versatile.

IBM et al are just taking the laptop to the next level by allowing it to (somewhat, at least) "transform" into a desktop system. I think it makes a lot of sense...

Nothing new...

[Anonymous Coward]

I've had one of these IBM Convertibles for ages! Sorry to see they're planning to lose the widescreen LCD in the new revision... :-)

Wow!

[jetkust]

A desktop computer at the price of a laptop! Where can I buy!!?

Transformers

[martinthebrit]

I want the one that transforms into Optimus Prime.

Compare it to your stereo

[markus_baertschi]

During years a stereo was a big piece of electronics stacked up in a rack with each device in a separate enclosure. The entire thing was big and expensive, but powerful and upgradeable. The same thing smaller was available too, but more expensive and difficult to upgrade due to the non-standard form factor.

Today most of the stereos are the compact, all-in-one variety. If you want something else you'll have to go to a high-end shop, the average discount store doesn't carry the expensive stuff anymore.

The same thing happens now to PC's too. I'll bet that in ten years 90% of the PC's sold are compact all-in-ones. Maybe you can detach the keyboard or the screen (like you can detach the speakers on some compact stereos) but it will be similar to todays laptops. If you need a bigger [CPU|memory|disk] you'll buy a new one and pass the old one to your [mother|son|buddy].

I like the second model shown, the detachable keyboard is nice and the base is short enough that you can place it in front (not on top).

Markus

Re:Upgrading my IBM Laptop

[PhoenixK7]

Um, try Apple:

1. 16 or 17" UXGA LCD (preferrably 17")

got it

2. RAM expandable to 1 GB (graphics work eats RAM)

got it (up to 2 GB of DDR ram)

3. Lighted keyboard

got it (on 17" and 15" models)

4. Onboard LAN (both wire and wireless)

got it (802.11b/g on all powerbooks 12/15/17)

5. CD/CDRW/DVD combo drive

got it (well, dvd burner/cdrw/cd is standard)

6. Minimum 60 GB HD internal

got it (80 GB standard)

7. Quality sound/graphics

got it (radeon 9600 with 64 MB)

8. NO restrictions on what OS I choose to run

well, you can't run windows (natively) but you can certainly run OS X, Linux, Darwin, and a bunch of other operating systems

Certainly you have to pay a pretty penny for one of these suckers ($3000 base) but hey, with what you're asking for all you really need to bump up is the ram (512mB DDR333 included).

Not a docking staion it is a USB hub

[bluGill]

In the past I would have agreed with you. Today USB (high speed) is fast enough and universial enough that you can buy a keyboard, mouse, and USB hub for both work and home, and all you plug in is the hub. Want to expand? USB has you covered, and suddenly you plug in the hub at work and also have your scanner, network (wireless would be better, but perhaps not secure enough) and cd burner. At home you plug in and also get your printer and two gamepads. Or whatever combonations you can come up with.

You still have to plug it into mains power of course, but that is a lot less connections, and a lot more versitile. I'd recomend a seperate monitor if you work in one spot often, but that may or may not be best for you. At most you have 3 connections, and the duplicated equpiment is cheap.

"hollowed halls"

[ecloud]

A hall must be hollow,
It's not hard to swallow;
'Cuz if it's not hollow,
It isn't a hall.

Methinks that rather
If t'were solid, I'd gather
It doesn't matter --
'Tis worth nothing at all.

To have a convention
You need the invention
Of walls for retention
Of a roof over all;

A solid block of concrete
Is useless, it can't compete;
Facilities you need replete...
You really need a hall.