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."

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: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!

Re:i'll stick to a powerbook

[sharrestom]

While I agree with your statement, it is also fair to note that IBM's customers are generally corporate, and much more conservative than the creative market that Apple caters to, so, I suspect that Jonathan Ives, were he working for IBM, would have to tone down his designs considerable. I do recall that IBM created a cool split keyboard design for the ThinkPad that was very innovative, although it was abandoned fairly quickly, due to cost I suspect.

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.

Am I the only one who likes this idea?

[Chanc_Gorkon]

This is a cool idea. When I get to the hotel room, I can set this up desktop style and be comfortable, yet when I need to do a quick
e-mail check befopre I get on the plane I can. Anyone who uses a laptop can vouch for this, but a laptop screen isn't exactly adjustable. The ways you need to move it sometimes won't work out with a straight laptop. This idea will put the screen where you need it when you have the space (when your in one place for a few days). It also allows you to use it as you would a normal laptop. It's a great idea. Lots of people panned IBM's 701 laptop (butterfly keyboard) because of it's keyboard design, but those who used it, loved it. IBM also still makes the most robust laptops I ahve seen.

Upgrading my IBM Laptop

[eyepeepackets]

As a happy owner of an IBM laptop/notebook PC for four years, these are the things I'm most interested in seeing in my next laptop/notebook (and you can be sure it will be an IBM):

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

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

3. Lighted keyboard

4. Onboard LAN (both wire and wireless)

5. CD/CDRW/DVD combo drive

6. Minimum 60 GB HD internal

7. Quality sound/graphics

8. NO restrictions on what OS I choose to run

I've seen the newer laptops from Sony/Toshiba, etc. but my experience tells me they aren't solid performers over time whereas my IBM machine has performed like the energizer bunny -- it just keeps on going (and going and going.)

Save the fancy tricks, just give me a solid machine with the above listed items and I'll buy it.

Re:Am I the only one who likes this idea?

[Mr. No Skills]

Not the only one, I like it too. I'm more of the "desktop replacement" laptop user than the "road warrior" laptop user (my Handspring Visor is much more usable as a portable device than a laptop). I'd like this setup instead of the multiple docking stations and monitors I have at the office and home.

And, I agree with the IBM reliability comment as well. I loved my 701c, and it never crashed. If it wasn't for the 486 processor I would have used it a lot longer. It's reliability crushed the 4 laptops I've had since (that remain unnamed to protect the guilty) that seem to last at most a year and a half before they're dead or hopelessly crufted.

I'd buy one

[Overbyte]

I'm suprised to see so many So what? comments about this. Last night I was working on my deck with my Thinkpad. It would have really been nice to be able kick back, shift the monitor off to the side, move the keyboard to a more comfortable position and get to work. It's all about comfort. I spent a little extra for a Thinkpad specificly for the keyboard and I'd have no problem spending a few extra bucks on one of these new ones, should they ever be made available.
We take it for granted that our cars all have tilt steering wheels and adjustable seats. I'm sure the the original reaction to these ideas were very similar. But then again, it might be fun to drive around in a porche with a Model T-style steering wheel.

Re:Am I the only one that...

[leifm]

I had a 600e a few months back, fairly old laptop, got it from eBay, beat to hell, worked perfect. I was very impressed with both the durability of the Thinkpad as well as the performance given the specs. I just got a Dell, but only because I can't afford(finance) a current Thinkpad.

Re:So it's a laptop

[iocat]

I think the ThinkPad actually looks pretty great. I have a new R40, and a 1000-year-old 386 one I bought for $20 to serve Apple II .dsk images, and it's amazing how at first glance they look the same, but when you look closer the design has really evolved a ton. It isn't a machine that calls attention to itself, but everything about it seems very well thought out. A PowerBook may *look* better, and a Dell or Alienware may be flashier, but having tested a lot of them, I have to say the ThinkPad works better than any of them.