Hmmm, it seems everything we want in these dream laptops are mostly out there already... its just that they're not found in one single product. I'd like to go further on the battery life though. How about trying to find a way to generate power within the laptop? Any ideas on a self-charging laptop combining kinetics and solar energy or maybe even converting the heat from the laptop itself to produce power? I'd love a laptop that i never have to plug into a wall socket ever again. We have to make it smaller than a refrigerator though. About pointing devices or input or interface devices... why not give the full range of choices for the consumer? Leave it open-ended. Just like getting new designer clothes or buying a new car, I'd like to have "options" when you go to a computer shop. Modular architecture with interchangeable and, more importantly, upgradable parts is the way to go for me.
I'd like to have a laptop with a tablet screen with response comparable to a Wacom. Good enough for professsional graphics. A protective lid that converts to a stand, but no laptop-style split of the computer. Long battery life, eliminate the keyboard and stupid pointing device, have an on-screen touch keyboard, and lots of USB ports. The reason I'd eliminate the keyboard is that I'm more accustomed to full-size desktop keyboards, and I'd rather just carry around one of those roll-up keyboards than fumble around on a tiny one. Or, if there was a pop-out keyboard, like the folding ones for PalmPilot, that might be ok. A detached keyboard also allows me to sit in a more comfortable position when using the computer. I'd put up with more weight for more battery. Now, if only I could afford it.
So what's the up-shot of this? Are the notebook makers going to respond to this? Most keep cutting costs to stay competitive which means limited hardware. How about a survey from the people who responded to this. How much would you be willing to pay to have your dream notebook? If I had my dream notebook, I would be willing to pay $3000 for it. If you're going to get something that you plan to work on that represents your competitive edge in business, then get enough horsepower to get the competition stomped! If you get the same vanilla notebook everyone else gets you won't be any better off than they are. ( That's why I wanted all software in firmware with the option of putting my developed software in plug in ROMS ) This is the best speed and you can take then out and lock them up for high security.
You make some good points here, but there are a few places where I feel you fell short of the mark on a "Dream Luxury" notebook. As a professional photographer, there are a few things I would like to see added.
1. 10 hours of battery life should be their goal. A work day in one battery. This might not come with today's 8 cell batteries, but better power-saving features should help.
2. Solid State Drives are much more durable and reliable in tough conditions. So, as a photographer, I definitely want to see SSD's for data security. However, SSD's are not very high capacity and if I'm on assignment I may need to frequently move data to external drives. The fewer external devices I have to carry, the better. I propose one fast single layer drive for the OS and one high capacity multi layer for storage. Ideally, a large OEM like ASUS could order notebook specific drives with a fast 16GB portion sandwiched into a high capacity multi-layer disk. That would give high performance for the OS and programs, with a higher capacity for storage without adding weight, heat, or size.
3. I agree totally on the integrated Bluetooth.
4. Rotating screens that turn your laptop into a tablet are definitely the ideal. HP's tx2z series are excellent. Having the ability to use the laptop like a digital note/drawing pad makes all types of editing, interviewing, and browsing more intuitive, faster and productive.
5. Video. I need more video power. Modern laptop IGP are becoming very capable, but manufacturers are failing to add enough dedicated video ram. 128mb DDR3 must be a minimum for future high-end laptops. The performance differences are very tangible, and without it, performance becomes mediocre on a much shorter timeline. The GPU should also be upgradeable.
6. Give us three DIMM slots! Don't make me throw away the chips that came in the machine, just to add a 1/3 more memory! I'd like to see 6-8GB in this system. 4GB DIMMs are not easy to come by. In 5 years I'll be saying that about 8GB DIMMS. If I buy a laptop with an acceptable amount of memory, and a EMPTY DIMM, I can upgrade when the time comes without waste or unnecessary expense.
5. Weight is an issue for people who can't put the computer down as they work, or for people in the field who have to transport it everywhere. Three pounds is a good mark. I'd also like to a rubberized cover being made available. Something with some grip. These smooth finishes that are so popular look great, but they're not that easy to hold for a long time. They become slick and oily. A finish that was tackier, like that on a Sony DSLR grip, would be just as nice looking for the bottom of a laptop, but more comfortable.
As for Wi-Max, I'm just as happy with a Verizon Wireless usb or expresscard.
P.S. II. The sizes are not much important to me. They may be of for example 40x55x10 cm (a small laguage) with a handle for easy carrying it. The total weight of 7-8 kilograms is acceptable.
The answer depends on your needs some will want a super powerful standard or large laptop as they are ok with carrying a bulky PC all the time. For me I want a jacket size full PC with a 1/2 VGA screen so no side scrolling is needed, a full touch type keyboard, fast processor for basic business needs, plenty of connections such as USB, bluetooth, wifi, wimax, memory card slots, etc., able to be docked to a large screen when at home/office but again most of all within the size limitations of a standard jacket or suit pocket so under 7.5" x 4.25" x 1.25"
A good wi-fi antenna is a must, and a built-in multimedia projector would be amazing. Also, battery life is a big factor for me, battery life over size.
I think most of all I would like a laptop that doesn't overheat when I play games on it for more than an hour. They have cooling pads and fans, but that's one more thing to lug around.
Hi this is Moshe
Pleas look at my post.
Comments will be appreciated.
http://www.wepc.com/vote/view/dream/7362/William_Gibson_Cyberspace_Machine
Hmmm, it seems everything we want in these dream laptops are mostly out there already... its just that they're not found in one single product. I'd like to go further on the battery life though. How about trying to find a way to generate power within the laptop? Any ideas on a self-charging laptop combining kinetics and solar energy or maybe even converting the heat from the laptop itself to produce power? I'd love a laptop that i never have to plug into a wall socket ever again. We have to make it smaller than a refrigerator though. About pointing devices or input or interface devices... why not give the full range of choices for the consumer? Leave it open-ended. Just like getting new designer clothes or buying a new car, I'd like to have "options" when you go to a computer shop. Modular architecture with interchangeable and, more importantly, upgradable parts is the way to go for me.
I'd like to have a laptop with a tablet screen with response comparable to a Wacom. Good enough for professsional graphics. A protective lid that converts to a stand, but no laptop-style split of the computer. Long battery life, eliminate the keyboard and stupid pointing device, have an on-screen touch keyboard, and lots of USB ports. The reason I'd eliminate the keyboard is that I'm more accustomed to full-size desktop keyboards, and I'd rather just carry around one of those roll-up keyboards than fumble around on a tiny one. Or, if there was a pop-out keyboard, like the folding ones for PalmPilot, that might be ok. A detached keyboard also allows me to sit in a more comfortable position when using the computer. I'd put up with more weight for more battery. Now, if only I could afford it.
So what's the up-shot of this? Are the notebook makers going to respond to this? Most keep cutting costs to stay competitive which means limited hardware. How about a survey from the people who responded to this. How much would you be willing to pay to have your dream notebook? If I had my dream notebook, I would be willing to pay $3000 for it. If you're going to get something that you plan to work on that represents your competitive edge in business, then get enough horsepower to get the competition stomped! If you get the same vanilla notebook everyone else gets you won't be any better off than they are. ( That's why I wanted all software in firmware with the option of putting my developed software in plug in ROMS ) This is the best speed and you can take then out and lock them up for high security.
You make some good points here, but there are a few places where I feel you fell short of the mark on a "Dream Luxury" notebook. As a professional photographer, there are a few things I would like to see added.
1. 10 hours of battery life should be their goal. A work day in one battery. This might not come with today's 8 cell batteries, but better power-saving features should help.
2. Solid State Drives are much more durable and reliable in tough conditions. So, as a photographer, I definitely want to see SSD's for data security. However, SSD's are not very high capacity and if I'm on assignment I may need to frequently move data to external drives. The fewer external devices I have to carry, the better. I propose one fast single layer drive for the OS and one high capacity multi layer for storage. Ideally, a large OEM like ASUS could order notebook specific drives with a fast 16GB portion sandwiched into a high capacity multi-layer disk. That would give high performance for the OS and programs, with a higher capacity for storage without adding weight, heat, or size.
3. I agree totally on the integrated Bluetooth.
4. Rotating screens that turn your laptop into a tablet are definitely the ideal. HP's tx2z series are excellent. Having the ability to use the laptop like a digital note/drawing pad makes all types of editing, interviewing, and browsing more intuitive, faster and productive.
5. Video. I need more video power. Modern laptop IGP are becoming very capable, but manufacturers are failing to add enough dedicated video ram. 128mb DDR3 must be a minimum for future high-end laptops. The performance differences are very tangible, and without it, performance becomes mediocre on a much shorter timeline. The GPU should also be upgradeable.
6. Give us three DIMM slots! Don't make me throw away the chips that came in the machine, just to add a 1/3 more memory! I'd like to see 6-8GB in this system. 4GB DIMMs are not easy to come by. In 5 years I'll be saying that about 8GB DIMMS. If I buy a laptop with an acceptable amount of memory, and a EMPTY DIMM, I can upgrade when the time comes without waste or unnecessary expense.
5. Weight is an issue for people who can't put the computer down as they work, or for people in the field who have to transport it everywhere. Three pounds is a good mark. I'd also like to a rubberized cover being made available. Something with some grip. These smooth finishes that are so popular look great, but they're not that easy to hold for a long time. They become slick and oily. A finish that was tackier, like that on a Sony DSLR grip, would be just as nice looking for the bottom of a laptop, but more comfortable.
As for Wi-Max, I'm just as happy with a Verizon Wireless usb or expresscard.
P.S. II. The sizes are not much important to me. They may be of for example 40x55x10 cm (a small laguage) with a handle for easy carrying it. The total weight of 7-8 kilograms is acceptable.
The answer depends on your needs some will want a super powerful standard or large laptop as they are ok with carrying a bulky PC all the time. For me I want a jacket size full PC with a 1/2 VGA screen so no side scrolling is needed, a full touch type keyboard, fast processor for basic business needs, plenty of connections such as USB, bluetooth, wifi, wimax, memory card slots, etc., able to be docked to a large screen when at home/office but again most of all within the size limitations of a standard jacket or suit pocket so under 7.5" x 4.25" x 1.25"
P.S. I would add some 1-4 TB/s data bus between the memory and the processor. It is obvious for all who deal with numerical data.
A good wi-fi antenna is a must, and a built-in multimedia projector would be amazing. Also, battery life is a big factor for me, battery life over size.
I think most of all I would like a laptop that doesn't overheat when I play games on it for more than an hour. They have cooling pads and fans, but that's one more thing to lug around.