Forums | MacLife

The bling factor?

Sad but true.  But they wouldn't offer it if people wouldn't pay it. 

Also, I'd like to say that I agree with the MacBook nano rumor (that flash-based, small-screen companion machine).

You mean like the ones the macbooks have?

Mr. T wrote:

I was thinking more of the mini.

I was thinking more of the G4 Cube, the Mini's isn't quite obnoxious enough.

I think it will be safe to say that a Mini Laptop from Apple will have a PSU 50% the volume of the laptop and probably just as heavy. Sorry, but they still don't seem to get PSUs right in the first revision.

benightedbastard wrote:

The talk of any notebooks without a built-in optical drive confuses and frightens me. How do you watch a DVD on the plane?

handbreak?

benightedbastard wrote:

The talk of any notebooks without a built-in optical drive confuses and frightens me. How do you watch a DVD on the plane?

Steve wants us to rent from the iTunes store.

I'm still more concerned with the problems loading software on such a without or with merely an optional optical drive particularly since as a few people pointed out such laptops are targeted at on-the-go business people. Those are the very people who would most need an optical drive to load software. They typical work with applications like FileMaker, MS Office and/or Adobe Acrobat which are large, typically too large to easily re-download or to store a backup on drive even assuming they can purchase as a digital download of all the apps they may need for their particular job. The apps are also typically costly enough that they want the installer on a relatively non-volatile storage medium (and actual mailed CD or a burned copy of the digital download).

How about both? Like in the patents, an iMac-looking dock with a screen in it, and a notebook that slides in and out of it.

benightedbastard wrote:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_duo/stats/mac_powerbook_duodock.html ?

photo credits: Aple computer?

reece_james wrote:

ScifiterX wrote:

I'm still more concerned with the problems loading software on such a without or with merely an optional optical drive particularly since as a few people pointed out such laptops are targeted at on-the-go business people. Those are the very people who would most need an optical drive to load software. They typical work with applications like FileMaker, MS Office and/or Adobe Acrobat which are large, typically too large to easily re-download or to store a backup on drive even assuming they can purchase as a digital download of all the apps they may need for their particular job. The apps are also typically costly enough that they want the installer on a relatively non-volatile storage medium (and actual mailed CD or a burned copy of the digital download).

I think it targets people who would have a Desktop and you do everything through that. If it happens, we'll find out.

I would expect Apple would provide a clone/sync utility so someone could just copy over their mission critical application instals from their main machine.

That patent clearly shows an optical drive on the laptop itself, FutureDreamz. Even if they decided to move the optical drive to the dock, it would have to come as standard equipment with the ultraportable (not option for at least the very reason of OS & mainstream software installations).

reece_james only covers part of the issue, Pariah. No only that, a significant part of the market is not going to have that option as they might not have another Mac to support it. For some the ultraportable might be the only system they get and some  the might be the initial Mac (complementing a desktop PC).

reece_james, Time Machine might help with recovery but not initial installation. Then the is  the issue of the second drive requirement and its effect on portability.
Sure you could include that drive in the dock but that wouldn't help you on the road.

It's very hit or miss that way, Pariah. Many people had no issues and many people had any number issues. Likewise when simply moving from one hardware set to another or when moving from one OS on one hardware set to another OS on another hardware set. Until Apple can guarantee it work almost every time it's not a solution. It's also not a solution if there is no other computer or no compatible computer to do it from.