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New IBM ThinkPad Prototypes -- Unfold into desktops?

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  • New IBM ThinkPad Prototypes -- Unfold into desktops?

    Screw Apple's rehashed G4 15", that thing ain't innovative, nor impressive.

    Check out these prototypes IBM has been displaying, all based off of the IBM ThinkPad T40 (what I've got).

    IBM continues to innovate while Apple will probably end up copying the functionality with a buzzword and claiming it their own sometime in the future.



    The article: http://news.com.com/2100-1005_3-5076831.html
    IBM shows off ThinkPad prototypes
    Last modified: September 15, 2003, 9:00 PM PDT
    By John G. Spooner
    Staff Writer, CNET News.com

    IBM on Tuesday will unveil two prototype ThinkPad notebook PCs, designed to illustrate how laptops could be more comfortable for everyday use.

    IBM designers, envisioning the next generation of the 10-year-old notebook ThinkPad line, have been studying how to make ThinkPads easier to use, without sacrificing important characteristics such as their performance, light weight and battery life.

    "What we sought to do was to study the area of ergonomics and ease of use associated with notebook computers," said David Hill, director of PC design for IBM's personal systems group.

    "Today, many people have (notebooks) as their only computer. That means that you use them in a number of different ways. So we sought to do a couple different things. Could we take the single box of a ThinkPad and fold it or unfold it in a different way?"

    Notebooks are gaining in popularity with consumers and businesses, and more people use them as their primary computer. But the characteristics that draw people to notebooks, such as their small size, result in undesirable features such as fixed keyboard and screen positions, which aren't always as comfortable to use for hours on end.

    IBM's ThinkPad G-series offers many characteristics similar to a desktop PC and features an angled keyboard that Big Blue said is easier to use. But the company's two prototypes take those efforts a step further.

    One ThinkPad design almost metamorphoses into a mini-desktop. It opens like a clamshell, but once open, its keyboard can be detached and the height of its screen increased to a more comfortable level with a special hinge. The machine allows more options as to where to place the screen and where to locate the keyboard relative to it, IBM said.

    "It enables different ergonomics for using the machine and also allows me to do something different with it," Hill said.

    The second ThinkPad prototype has a special double hinge that allows the keyboard to tilt upward and slide forward for more comfortable typing. The height of the display simultaneously rises by about 3 inches. The keyboard does not detach, however.

    "It can be used like a traditional ThinkPad," Hill said. "What's different, though, is it gives a choice of using it like a notebook or more like a desktop by pulling the display upward."

    Manufacturers show off prototype notebooks from time to time. Intel, for instance, often touts notebook designs such as its multiple-hinged Florence tablet PC prototype. However, while new designs generate a lot of interest, new machines don't catch always catch on quickly.

    IBM discontinued its ThinkPad TransNote, a product that combined an ultralight ThinkPad with a legal pad, after about a year on the market. Even the newest notebook category, the convertible tablet PC, has caught on slowly. The tablet PC, which is based on Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet PC Edition software, allows a person to open its screen, rotate it 180 degrees, and fold it back down to create a writing tablet.
    To date, the worldwide market for all tablet PCs, including the convertibles, totals a few hundred thousand unit shipments per year, a tiny number compared with about 140 million units in the worldwide PC market each year, according to research firm IDC.

    Still, IBM plans to show off the prototypes to customers in private meetings at this week's TechXNY, a technology trade show and conference taking place in Manhattan.

    While the prototypes are not working computers, IBM could manufacture one or both of the machines if there is enough positive feedback from customers, Hill said.

    The prototypes were built out of IBM's current ThinkPad T40, an Intel Pentium M-based notebook that comes with a 14.1-inch screen, a move that could simplify production of the machines in the future.
    "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
    Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

  • #2
    So what? Whats new in that really? This does the same thing and more! And no need to carry around that bulky docking station

    Last edited by laurentius; September 18, 2003, 03:38.
    Que l’Univers n’est qu’un défaut dans la pureté de Non-être.

    - Paul Valery

    Comment


    • #3
      A stand?

      It does more than simply angle the keyboard. The ThinkPad Gs already have angled keyboards standard...

      And just what docking station was you talking about? None of these prototypes have anything to do with a docking station...whereas you'd need to carry that ridiculous stand everywhere if you wanted it, to do far less.

      You seem to be confused -- that's not the docking station in the pic, that's the laptop. The keyboards detach and the screen can be raised. In the case of the first prototype (my favorite), the keyboard is wireless and would use Bluetooth.
      "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
      Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

      Comment


      • #4
        Um, that prototype of yours doesnt look nearly as portable as this:


        Que l’Univers n’est qu’un défaut dans la pureté de Non-être.

        - Paul Valery

        Comment


        • #5
          Is this some kind of joke?
          "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
          Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

          Comment


          • #6
            Ok, cool but can you use that "possibly never going to see daylight"-prototype like normal laptop? Without the modules separate
            Que l’Univers n’est qu’un défaut dans la pureté de Non-être.

            - Paul Valery

            Comment


            • #7
              Did you read the article?

              These designs won some awards a few months ago, and now they've in further testing and market research.

              Yes, the laptops function perfectly like every other ThinkPad they've made. They also have the option of unfolding into the desktop-like configuration like those two prototypes show.
              "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
              Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

              Comment


              • #8
                Yes I read it. Ok, it looks intresting but if you cared to check on the article I posted you'd realise that the laptop desktop not only agles the notebook but also reduces heat and provides pad for your mouse. I for example can't live without my mouse the touchpad and the pointer stick just arent as comfortable

                Here's another link
                Que l’Univers n’est qu’un défaut dans la pureté de Non-être.

                - Paul Valery

                Comment


                • #9
                  1) It doesn't reduce heat, what it does is act as an insulator so if you had it on your lap or on your desk, you'd feel less heat. This is only a problem with cheap notebooks, ThinkPad T40s do not get hot underneath (or on top) whatsoever, so this "feature" is merely compensation for cheap designs and doesn't reduce heat, just insulates so you can't tell.
                  2) Mouse pads are totally useless for optical mice. If you need one so badly, bring a little mousepad -- it's far cheaper and way smaller than that monstrosity.
                  "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                  Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Reading the article is difficult when the link doesn't work.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Zop,please try again
                      Que l’Univers n’est qu’un défaut dans la pureté de Non-être.

                      - Paul Valery

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I had to remove an extra http:// thing for his link to work.
                        "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                        Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          1)Asher it does reduce the heat of the computer itself. http://www.systemcooling.com/modules...ticle&sid=1072
                          Heat is a problem with cheap notebooks? You are really funny man. It's more like the CPU and the GPU that are the problem, not the price.

                          2) Not all people have optical mouses. Those who have one(such as myself)still like to be able to use the mouse accurately meaning not against your thigh. No help from conventional mousepad in trains, aeroplanes, cars eg
                          Que l’Univers n’est qu’un défaut dans la pureté de Non-être.

                          - Paul Valery

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by laurentius
                            1)Asher it does reduce the heat of the computer itself. http://www.systemcooling.com/modules...ticle&sid=1072
                            Heat is a problem with cheap notebooks? You are really funny man. It's more like the CPU and the GPU that are the problem, not the price.
                            You don't seem to understand this very well:

                            It does not reduce the heat of the computer. It acts as a piece of insulation, which could reduce the apparent heat for the table or lap that it's sitting on -- but it certainly doesn't reduce the amount of heat generated.

                            And heat is a problem with all notebooks. The problem is, cheap notebooks and notebooks that are poorly design dissipate quite a lot of heat on the bottom (and top) of laptops. This is not an issue with T40s (what the prototypes are based on) whatsoever, all heat is properly expelled only through the vent on the left hand side.

                            The reason the T40's works better is a combination of high-grade heatpipes and insulation, as well as using more expensive materials.

                            2) Not all people have optical mouses. They who have(such as myself)still like to be able to use the mouse accurately meaning not against your thigh. Not help from conventional mousepad in trains, aeroplanes, cars eg
                            If you're buying a new laptop...why can't you afford a $20 optical mouse?

                            Still, space available is an issue on airplanes, trains, cars, etc. And what's wrong with tray tables on airplanes & trains?
                            "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                            Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Another magic device that will "reduce the heat" of the laptop are extra layers of clothing, oven mits, and textbooks. You act like that's some kind of miracle device, it lowered the temperature of the guy's lap frop 43C to 38C (which is still damn hot ) by adding another layer between him and the laptop's heat.
                              "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                              Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

                              Comment

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