Rethink the Laptop - Page 2

Here in Japan, they have what you're talking about. I don't know how popular they are, but I've seen them. Might not be as mobile as you're hoping, but they are meant to be mobile. Still look mighty big to me.

Next thing you know, Aussie'll be telling me that I can't handle a Sony or that I can't handle an NEC

No, he'll be wondering why you would want to.

You want your laptop raised up a couple of inches so it looks like one of those jacked up trucks that people who are compensating for something drive around?

Why don't you buy a couple of shot glasses, paint them your laptop's color and glue them to the 4 corners of the bottom of the case. There you go a raised laptop. Heck if you want you could cut out the grills on the fan ports and hook up a mini-vac to the vent where the hot air goes out. Stick the vac in a foam padded box so you don't hear it and put some cold cathode lights on the bottom so the table glows as you play.

Forget about the puny 17" screen, heck just hardwire a 30" plasma tv onto that baby and prop it up on big wheels so you can roll it around.

How about that?

I think you are missing the point Argoth. This has nothing to do with any lack of physical attributes or compensation there of.

What NGT and I are looking for is what nearly all notebook users would like, upgradeability, freedom to choose your graphics and other cards, ability to customize and minutely reconfigure our machines. The difference is we don't have the usual objections to the size and weight penalties often cited as reasons those capabilities can't be realized.

I fully understand someone wanting/needing a traditional notebook, something small and light and very portable. Same with the desktop replacements and both regular and SFF desktops. Go for it and I wish you well.

But we have different needs, we want powerful systems with lots of flexibility and we are willing to accept the size and weight compromizes that entails. While I don't often use my machine on battery so much these days (mostly because of physical problems I don't often use my own portability either) I would still want the option to do so. But I normally use my machine plugged in and will most likely always do so. I use a wheeled case so weight and size, within reason, are not issues.

I'd also like a bigger screen, more storage, better audio, more I/O options and so on.

I guess I needed to put a "Don't take me seriously!!! This is a joke!!!! I worry for you if you believe that I am actually serious!!!!" disclaimer on my message.

I'll try harder next time...

Truth be told, I agree with your idea and think that there is the technology out there to accomplish it. The only problem is convincing computer manufacturers to take up that trend. Also I do believe that most desktop systems are becoming smaller and lighter to save space so it doesn't look like they aren't thinking the same things you are.

ah the lunch box puter day

www.voodoopc.com

m780 or the m860

Pricey, but it is what you're looking for.

That is not what he is looking for. Dont know where you even got that idea from.

I have been looking into something like this for a while. It is dissapointing because they are so close, but nobody want's to make the final product. But anyways take a look at www.SFF.com & http://forums.sudhian.com/index.cfm?...ame=SFF%20TECH

Yep, close but no ceegar. However, the SFFs and Mini-itx are the closest thing going, just they usually are need to compensate for their lacking in the in the video department. You are usually limited to one hard drive, maybe one media drive. Also, they are generally squat little boxes. I'm the last person to care much about looks of computers but the ratios on the Shuttles are all wrong. A classic example of just assemble a pile of components and then wrap something around it. The ones that are somewhat attractive suffer in the performance department.

When I see what people have done with the mini-itx, I get some of my hope back.

Here is one that you might want to look at: http://www.maxvision.com/index.html

Thanks overdrivedgn, that's very close, however, its also very expensive. This is the best I've seen so far, indeed, its got everything for me except the UPS and battery operation potential. However, the price tag is nasty, I mean, nearly $4800 for integrated graphics with a 40 GB HDD, come on. For the good stuff (2 year old AGP4) you are looking at close to $5300, give me a break. They seem to go overboard on the case and, frankly, its the first time I've seen a computer company list the shipping box as a feature, "MaxPac M reuseable corrugated carton", lol. I think these guys are looking to sell to the Pentagon. Its also fan reliant heavy, which would mean eventual problems with crap getting inside, and its at least an inch too thick. The weight is up there too, 28 pounds, wow, that's more than most desktops. However, I imagine its nearly bullit-proof, handy for those inner city visits.

I really like the mongo version workstation version. But with what I guess to be $20K for the tricked out version, its just toooooo far out there. Definitely DOD or NASA material.

Lastly, its all old tech. At least a year, in some cases two years old. I want tomorrow, today at the very least.

The tech isn't there yet.

First you need a common device interconnect, something like an fc fabric, but with an intelligent crossbar backplane instead of the fiber switch/director. Maybe something like ultra highspeed wireless, then the components wouldn't even have to be stuck in a traditional case framework, they could be part of your clothing, or stuck in pockets of your backpack, disguised as common desktop items, etc.

You'd have specialized modules for cpu+memory, storage, interface, etc., but since they have a common interface, you can mix and match them to reach your desired config for a given activity.

Next, you'd need a better power source, or you would need a new circuit technology that used far less energy.

Yes, it is that complex. Why? because laptops are currently based around shrinking existing fullsized pc hardware. The only way they shrink it is by sacrificing some heat/weight/power aspect of it. What you want isn't really possible given that situation. Think about it.

All you really want is exactly what you have as a desktop, but better in every possible way. If they could easily do that, it would already have replaced the desktop.

There's the problem with what you guys are asking for; price for technology. It's going to cost an arm, a leg, and then some (maybe some fingers) to afford one of those.

You guys want desktop performance but do not want to shell out the cash for the expected outragous prices. I wouldn't want to pay +4000 dollers for one either. In this scenerio, it's better to build yourself one because buying a whole system would leave you in a wheelcheer (I'd guess the laptop would be used more often in this case )

I really would like a "real" mobile desktop, but for the price/performance, it is not suitable for most of us. That sager 5680 at minimum spec is already better than my desktop (besides amount of ram and HD size ). The vid card just need 4 more pipes and it'd be exactly like a desktop.

But really, I'd like to have desktop replacements slowly catch up to desktops in power, that way i can afford them.

btw, I hear via is developing a chipset to support agp and pci-e on the same board. I also heard they are having trouble doing so and that's why intel boards will not include agp. and marquis, my tower weighs, according to the fed ex tag, 44kg... that's like +103 lbs with everything in it

here's an idea. Get a desktop (not a tower) add a lcd display to the top of it and a pull out full size keyboard. . It would be a little thinner and heavier, but has all the upgradeability of a desktop (because it is )

..darn these typos, never see them when you're proofreading

The weight is about the same as the COMPAQ portables of 15/16 years ago.