Hi All, When do you think that a thin, light

[EnglishGoethe]

Hi All,

When do you think that a thin, light M600 with a dedicated video card (returning to M200 form), no internal optical drive, and a *powerful* CPU will be released? :)

What do you want to see in the M600?

Thanks,

Steve

[wallen]

I think you're talking about an R400 with dedicated graphics...

Give me the R400 form factor, higher resolution widescreen (I've got a loaner R400 for a couple of weeks, and I'm not fussed about the display - good, but my M400 kills it for detail), dedicated graphics, and a docking solution that allows me to have a bootable optical drive, and I'm there! Well, I'm there in a couple more years when I can justify shifting from my maxed-out (features and $$$) M400! :-p

[EnglishGoethe]

Hey Wayne,

Hehehe!

Actually, I'm kind of worried about what Toshiba did with the M400, which I think is worse in several ways than the M200. It's heavier. It doesn't have dedicated graphics. It has an integrated optical drive. And actually, although the M200 is no aesthetic beauty, I don't think that the M400 is an improvement. Gack.

What I think we really need is:

1. An Apple case, or failing that, something that isn't deathly ugly!!;
2. A 12" 1400x1050 (or higher) display--Toshiba does that one thing right!
3. The fastest CPU on the market that won't set the case on fire;
4. The fastest dedicated video card that will fit in the case and not set it on fire;
5. A good docking solution;
6. DVI video out;
7. A microphone array as on the M200;
8. Support for an UltraBay-type battery (see http://www-07.ibm.com/lenovoinfo/accessories/in/battery/alldaycomputing.html);
9. A better trackpad (larger? a middle button? something...).

Steve

[wallen]

I too believe the M200 was a great form factor, and it is only now becoming clear how far ahead of the pack it was nearly 4 years ago. I personally like the look of the M400, and I have it running Vista Ultimate with all the fruit running quite happily. Still, nothing's perfect. Some comments on your list with respect to the M400:

1. Yeah, Apple's industrial design methods should be relentlessly copied by others, as they are always the sexiest. Still, there are much uglier units out there than the M400.
2. Yep. Love my M400 for how much of a viewing improvement the screen is over the M200. Not so keen on the glassy feel when writing. This is one area where the R400 shines: same glassy surface, but the stylus on the R400 has a weird, 'porous' tip that feels soft on the screen (but hard when you touch it) that gives it great feel on a smooth surface. Minute difference, but noticeable. Bring on aftermarket tips for my stock M400 pen and my Cross executive pen!!
3. The 2Ghz+ Core 2 Duo's are already in the M400's
4. We all wish, but it is a stark reality that within a few months, there will probably be NO tablets with dedicated graphics left...
5. BRING BACK THE MULTIDOCK!!!
6. Fortunately, the Port Rep for the M400 supports DVI, and it works fine.
7. The twin Microphones on the M400 work as well as the three on my M200. I use Office Communicator to video conference over our corporate network, and the sound they get at the receiving end is great. Haven't set it up for voice commands yet (still getting used to Vista's quirks...)
8. But, if you have an Ultrabay (Selectbay in Toshiba parlance), you lose the "no integrated optical drive' form factor you were after. The M400 has, instead, the optional 'slice' battery (which I have and hardly ever use) that gives you nearly a full day of tapping or penning...
9. I don't mind the trackpad. If you go back to Point 1, Apple's trackpad has even less functionality than the M400 one...

Thinking back a few years ago, the compromises we have to make these days to get close to what we want aren't such biggies anymore...

[sheureka]

quote:Originally posted by wallen


2. Yep. Love my M400 for how much of a viewing improvement the screen is over the M200. Not so keen on the glassy feel when writing. This is one area where the R400 shines: same glassy surface, but the stylus on the R400 has a weird, 'porous' tip that feels soft on the screen (but hard when you touch it) that gives it great feel on a smooth surface. Minute difference, but noticeable. Bring on aftermarket tips for my stock M400 pen and my Cross executive pen!!
Have you tried using the Wacom felt tips? They feel much better to me on that glassy surface. - sheureka

[wallen]

quote:Originally posted by sheureka


quote:Originally posted by wallen


2. Yep. Love my M400 for how much of a viewing improvement the screen is over the M200. Not so keen on the glassy feel when writing. This is one area where the R400 shines: same glassy surface, but the stylus on the R400 has a weird, 'porous' tip that feels soft on the screen (but hard when you touch it) that gives it great feel on a smooth surface. Minute difference, but noticeable. Bring on aftermarket tips for my stock M400 pen and my Cross executive pen!!
Have you tried using the Wacom felt tips? They feel much better to me on that glassy surface. - sheureka


Yeah? I'll have to give them a shot. Thanks.

[primbs]

I understand Toshiba will be releasing new tablet pcs by the end of summer. I hope they had better speakers.

[EnglishGoethe]

PS I almost forgot:

10. A truly standard, small power adapter whose cable doesn't fray near the connector (or anywhere else);
11. Audio out on the back or side, not front;
12. Built-in camera;
13. ExpressCard slot;
14. Agreed: good speakers.

I guess what I really want is a small, 12" MacBook with at least a 1400x1050 (if not 1600x1200) display and tablet functionality. :-) It's the horribly low pixel density of all MacBooks that rules them out. Once you use 1400x1050, there's no going back. Ever!

Steve

[wallen]

I see. So what everyone REALLY wants, is the latest Core Duo Extreme desktop systems with surround sound speakers and a 22" display crammed into a 12" Tablet! Me too!!! :-p

[EnglishGoethe]

Why yes, actually!

And preferably 4 CPU's, just to be sure. :)

Steve

[EnglishGoethe]

Does anyone know when the M600 will be released?

Steve

[EnglishGoethe]

I also wonder about what resolution can be achieved on an LED backlit display. From what I've been able to find on Google, about the best that one will be able to hope to see anytime soon (on a 13.3" display) is 1280x800. Argh!

I'm trying to fool myself into thinking that the Mac sub-notebook will have an extremely high-resolution display.

[chihorek]

Great comments, but what I've been waiting for is the Toshiba tablet concept that was shown at CES 2005. The display attached to the base (primarily to charge its battery), but also separated and used either WiFi or Wireless USB to get the graphics information from the keyboard/base. Wouldn't that be ideal? Almost like the Motion 1700 slate design, but even thinner!

Of course the base would have the quad core processor, SLI graphics, 3d imaging array microphone, two 160GB 7200RPM drives in RAID 0, etc etc etc.

[EnglishGoethe]

Hehehehe!

Perfect! :-)

Steve