As Mac fans, we’re fond of believing that Apple’s designs are second to none, but every once in a while, we find ourselves casting a wistful eye at the sheer variety offered by the numerous PC manufacturers, particularly when it comes to light, thin notebooks.
So you’ll pardon my temporary bout of heretical insanity when I suggest that this notebook, a combined effort of Intel’s own engineers and the designers from Ziba Design, has my salivary glands going like somebody just suggested Buffalo chicken for lunch.
The Intel Metro concept features a Core 2 Duo processor, Wi-Fi, WiMax, Bluetooth, a solid-state drive, and an external non-volatile eInk display that can keep displaying information even without power—which isn’t too much of a concern, since they’re shooting for a 14 hour battery life. All that in a package that’s less than 0.7” thick, and weighs just 2.25lbs. The design also includes a variety of colored “folders” that also serve as charging stations, and Intel plans to add a wireless inductive charger to the mix.
Keep in mind it’s still a concept at present, so the specs can always change, but word is that Intel plans to start manufacturing these later this year. I’m almost convinced that it might be worth trying to get OS X running on this baby (2.25lbs!).
There’s a lot about this design that suggests that Intel’s been paying attention to what Apple is doing: the Metro is sleek, minimalist, with a keyboard reminiscent of the MacBook’s, and none of the bevy of stickers and branding that traditionally adorns Windows PCs. And honestly, I enjoy seeing someone giving Apple a run for its money: it’s not good for any company to sit on its laurels, no matter how much we might love them. So come on, Apple, are you going to let yourselves be shown up by Intel?
[via Gizmodo]
The Intel Metro looks great, but I don't think we know enough about the product to judge whether its a winner or a disaster. The computer looks to me like it may be hugely appealing to a small segment of the market, but just miss the mark for most people. Does it have an optical disk? Almost certainly not. Firewire? Is the keyboard easy to use? It looks fantastic, but it also looks like it may be a pain to type on. And price... as beautiful s the Metro looks, would it be affordable?
I like the external LCD, but it strikes me as the kind of thing Apple always disdains.
I hope Apple's (hoped for) mini-laptop has the same wow factor.
Strange, that inset picture shows its running Windows Vista Beta 1 build 5112. Hey, you probably can get Jas, TubGirl or NetKas releases of OS X to work on it since they using the new kernel by Semthex.
I've said it before, I'll say it again, an inductive charger is a waste of energy. Using the magnetic field produced by running a current through a wire to induce an electric current through another wire must waste electricity. And for what? It's not like wireless networking where you can walk around the house. You'll still be tethered while charging. Now true wireless power may not be as efficient as plugging your laptop in, but the ability to roam my house while charging (or at least not discharging) the battery would be awesome.
Perhaps you like that its thin and light, but this is the gaudiest thing I've ever seen in my life. Gold trim? Champagne colored? The keyboard is Brown and orange: can you say Zune?
And this prototype was made with no concern for cost, says intel. The basic looks of the thing is like a macbook pro, so when flash memory is cheap enough, then I'm sure apple will make one if there is a market for thin and light and more costly than less thin and less light.
If I understand well the word "concept", it means that such a gizmo exists only perhaps as a 3-D image document, even if based on components that are available now or in a near future. I like much better Apple's policy of keeping mum about the cat until they have it in their bag.
As to the idea of hacking Mac OS X to run on non-kosher devices, I hope it will remain, if not a dream, a secret practice of a secluded guru sect: IMHO, opening-up Mac OS X to every pc contraption would mean only harm for the OS, Apple, and finally us all.
yea, let's not get carried away with a 3D rendering - Joan Rivers looks good with enough filters and lighting ... the problem with Pc manufacturers has been when it comes done to manufacturing, every department from marketing to production to purchasing cuts a few corners here and there - after all, it comes out of their budget is the screws are .01 cents and not .0085 cents each. Apple seems it through from beginning to end. This is like the Intel ockups at CES 2/3 years ago - NONE have come to fruition because no one is willing to spend an extra $10? $25? 100? per unit ...
@spiderbat: you are right in almost all cases, but this one is going to go into production (next year supposedly)--again, with no regard to cost.