Intel Prototypes World's Thinnest Laptop

aalobode sends us to an article up at BusinessWeek about Intel's design for a new, ultra-thin laptop — almost as thin as a Razr — designed as a fashion accessory. Intel hopes to get the high end of the laptop market growing faster, and so they are particularly targeting female consumers with the new model. It's unlikely that all of the advanced features in this prototype will make it into products, and if they did the resulting laptops would command a daunting price. One feature we can hope makes the cut is built-in cellular Internet access. From the article: "The result, code-named Intel mobile Metro notebook, is less than 0.7 inches thick — about one-quarter of an inch thicker than Motorola's iconic cell phone, making it the world's thinnest notebook. And at 2.25 pounds, it's also one of the lightest small-sized portable computers. Other features include always-on Internet connectivity via various wireless technologies."

Comments

I've been noticing this for a while

[Glowing Fish]

I've been noticing for a few years now that laptops are in high demand, often by people who don't seem to have a really great reason for wanting them. It seems that a lot of the demand has to do with people wanting something that looks cool and will allow them to show off in coffeeshops.

And it seems like the manufacturers realize this, and are playing to it.

The biggest problem with laptops is proprietary parts. There are many people who have broken their power supply, battery, screen, keypad etc. and desperately want a new one. But because these parts are proprietary, its often hard to find the right one. Companies should be introducing more standardization in laptop parts now.

But instead, they are probably just going to decide on ways to make them MORE fashionable. Which I am sure will run them well in the shortrun, but fashions change. What are these companies going to do in a few years when laptops are no longer quite so hot, and people are more used to them, and more critical, and ask more questions about durability?

Caveat

[rs79]

There's a parellel here from the wristwatch world.

Originaly wristwatches were smallish pocket watches on straps (think "luggable". They were for women and no self respecing man would wear one. Then WWI came along and men in the trenches were ordered to wear one Suddenly it was ok for men to be seen wearing one. They were still pretty big though. As time went on the "arms race" was for smaller and thinner watches. By the time the 50's rolled around they were not much more in size than two quarters stack on each other.

This was more of a fashion statement than anything else and companies like Omega and Rolex made reasonably sized watches even while maintaining other lines that were oh so thin.

Concord took it to the limit with the "Delirium". They were very very thin. The mark IV was SO thin you couldn't actually wear it without bending it.

I worry about things being too small. I hear the same complaints about cel phones.