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It's a Laptop - It's a Desktop

Posted by michael on from the leap-tall-buildings dept.

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."

18 of 236 comments (clear)

  1. It's a Laptop, it's a Desktop... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...it's a dessert topping!

  2. Am I the only one that... by clifgriffin · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...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

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    clifgriffin > blog
    1. Re:Am I the only one that... by gl4ss · · Score: 4, Insightful

      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.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    2. Re:Am I the only one that... by Soko · · Score: 5, Insightful

      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

      --
      "Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." - Anonymous
    3. Re:Am I the only one that... by los+furtive · · Score: 4, Interesting

      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.

      --

      I'm a writer, a poet, a genius, I know it. I don't buy software, I grow it.

    4. Re:Am I the only one that... by dlur · · Score: 4, Funny
      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...
      --
      Duris MUD - The best pkill MUD. Ever.
    5. Re:Am I the only one that... by Richthofen80 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      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.

      --
      Reason, free market capitalism, and individualism
    6. Re:Am I the only one that... by merlin_jim · · Score: 4, Insightful

      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...

      --
      I am disrespectful to dirt! Can you see that I am serious?!
  3. Transformers by orpheus2000 · · Score: 5, Funny

    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!

  4. This looks cool, but... by vacaboca · · Score: 4, Insightful

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

  5. Innovation? by Amiga+Lover · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.

  6. Re:So it's a laptop by aborchers · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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!

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    Trouble making decisions? Just flip for it.
  7. Fewer desktops, more laptops by scottganyo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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...

  8. Nothing new... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    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... :-)

  9. Wow! by jetkust · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  10. Transformers by martinthebrit · · Score: 4, Funny

    I want the one that transforms into Optimus Prime.

  11. Compare it to your stereo by markus_baertschi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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

  12. Not a docking staion it is a USB hub by bluGill · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.