


Due Next Year: Dell's 19-inch Laptop 408
WheelRunner writes "Engadget is running a story about Dell's new 19-inch laptop. Sadly, it's too late for the only lap that could hold it, Marlon Brando's." Maybe if Apple would put a keyboard-containing lid (and a briefcase-style handle) on the 20" iMac, a market for car-battery backpacks would emerge.
f(x) = wit / 2 (Score:4, Funny)
Re:f(x) = wit / 2 (Score:5, Funny)
Marlon Brando was one of the young, tough, sexy heros of American cinema in the middle of this past century.
The fact that he ballooned up like a huge, over-inflated (yet not too tight) beach ball gives hope to men all throughout America.
It also depresses the hell out of the women.
Re:f(x) = wit / 2 (Score:5, Funny)
Re:f(x) = wit / 2 (Score:2)
Re:f(x) = wit / 2 (Score:2)
*runs*
Re:f(x) = wit / 2 (Score:5, Informative)
"Laptop" is a misnomer, and technically it's not even what Dell calls these things. It's a notebook. Notebooks and laptops are not the same thing and this is a perfect illustration of the distinction.
A laptop is a computer you put on your lap.
A notebook is a computer with a screen that folds down over the keyboard (with a form factor like a paper notebook, hence the name).
A laptop may or may not have a folding screen (the earliest models didn't). A notebook may or may not be "lappable" - i.e. it may or may not be small enough, cool enough or light enough to hold on your lap.
A 19" notebook is a portable PC, but I wouldn't call it a laptop. There's nothing wrong with this category of machine, IMO - I personally keep my notebook on my coffee table 99% of the time, and only carry it with me to a place (in other words, I don't have a need to bust it out in-transit on a train or a bus, I take it out on a corresponding desk or table somewhere else).
Laptops are perfectly fine if you want a real go-anywhere computer. But this is not a laptop, and not everybody needs that amount of portability. Some people just need a machine to act as a desktop most of the time, but that still doesn't take up a lot of space and can be moved around easily when needed.
Re:f(x) = wit / 2 (Score:5, Funny)
Re:f(x) = wit / 2 (Score:3, Insightful)
I can think of applications for portable computers that are larger than a laptop.
For instance, imagine an artist with a portable canvas-sized touch-screen computer that he can paint or draw directly onto. He can take this to the park and paint his masterwork landscape. Or imagine a military commander with a portable table-top computer that can display maps with units, and allow commands to be re
Not a Laptop (Score:5, Funny)
Imagine some cretin in the cattle-class seats on a jet trying to open one of these things up.
"Excuse me, mind if I take over some of your very limited personal space?"
"No, mind if my baby pukes on you keyboard?"
At some point I expect these things to come with telescoping legs so you could actually use it as a portable desk.
Re:Not a Laptop (Score:2)
Re:Not a Laptop (Score:2)
Re:Not a Laptop (Score:2)
Re:Not a Laptop (Score:2, Interesting)
A tripod like device that folds up (is lightwieght) and fits in a DTR pc bag.
I would get one if the price point $20 CAD
(hint, aluminium tubing sounds about right)
I've seen many sillier products on the TV at night.
Re:Not a Laptop, but a status symbol for m0r0ns (Score:5, Funny)
"No, mind if my baby pukes on you keyboard?"
It's especially fun to recline your seat when someone has one of those open behind you and is going on about how important he is.
Crunch.
Re:Not a Laptop (Score:2)
Open one of those things up while seated? I'm still trying to visualize fitting that monster in the overhead.
Re:Not a Laptop (Score:5, Funny)
If you ever do have to put up with such behaviour, just be thankful that the aforementioned cretin will most likely get somewhat comprehensively sterilised thanks to the testicle-toasting heat pumped out by the 'laptop'...
Re:Not a Laptop (Score:2)
/me looks at screen...Looks at story...Looks at screen...Thats bigger than what I've got on my DESK RIGHT NOW. :)
Luggable (Score:3, Insightful)
But seriously, we're really getting back to "portable computers" and "laptops" again, as opposed to "notebook computers."
I guess the easiest way to shrink these things down again is to
1. swap the LCD for a projection device that displays onto your glasses.
I imagine we're not quite there yet -- unless you want to look like "Lawnmower Man."
2. Without that pesky monitor in the way, your nearly full-sized keyb
Re:Not a Laptop (Score:4, Interesting)
The woman's response was "that's why we don't call them laptops, sir". Apparently everything was within spec. Go figure.
Re:Not a Laptop (Score:4, Funny)
Yes, the proper terminology is now "nut burner" or "testicle toaster".
Engadget misses the point (Score:5, Insightful)
This laptop is designed for people who need casual portability, like taking the machine home with you at night or on a weekend.
Re:Engadget misses the point (Score:3, Informative)
It's not just for fat people.
Re:Engadget misses the point (Score:2)
Re:Engadget misses the point (Score:2)
Re:Engadget misses the point (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Engadget misses the point (Score:2)
They didn't put it in quite the same words you did, but I'm pretty sure they didn't miss the point that much.
Blake
*Three* solutions to the obvious problem! (Score:2)
What is needed is (e.g.) flexible screen technology that allows you to fit a large screen in a smallish space, and to have it fold in the middle so it isn't any larger than (e.g.) my 14" Compaq laptop.
This still begs the question of how it would unfold; and even if it could be unfolded, would it be usable on (e.g.) a train or an aeroplane?
The other alternative is to have an inbuilt mini-proje
Re:Engadget misses the point (Score:2)
19 inches? (Score:4, Insightful)
I only hope they make a carrying case large enough to haul this monster around in.
A 19" laptop...a laptop computer that may violate the size requirements for aircraft carry-on luggage...not that's progress!
aargh...typo (Score:2)
not=now
Re:aargh...typo (Score:2)
You're right...it's not progress.
It's the opposite of that....what's the opposite of pro again...?
Oh yeah...it's con.
Which would make it congress.
(Sorry...I truly could not resist.)
^_^
Re:aargh...typo (Score:3, Funny)
Re:19 inches? (Score:2, Interesting)
I have a Dell 17" widescreen laptop and have no problems carrying it around with the backpack that Dell offers. In fact, there is enough room for a 19" version (or at least enough that I will make room)!
Now to only convince my fiancee to trade mine in for the new version...If you want portability, buy an IBM, if you want to show off... well the bigger the better, right?
Re:19 inches? (Score:5, Funny)
I have a short wooden leg, you see. Being a pirate and all...
Re:19 inches? (Score:3, Insightful)
Nah. This is old news.
http://oldcomputers.net/kayproii.html [oldcomputers.net]
http://oldcomputers.net/ [oldcomputers.net]
Proving once again how far behind the times Dell really is...
An integrator doing design..... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:An integrator doing design..... (Score:2)
The 'low yield' argument of yore to explain the high cost for flat panels always struck me as a WMD argument, even before I knew what a crock a WMD argument was...
Re: (Score:2)
Re:An integrator doing design..... (Score:2)
Weight (Score:4, Insightful)
is it... (Score:4, Funny)
or is it just tech-supported there?
Re:is it... (Score:2)
Given the muscle mass of the average geek, I'd say you'd need three or four techs to support this laptop.
Great Jokes (Score:3, Informative)
I am sure that they will sell a few, however. One classmate lugs an 8lb PC laptop with 30min of battery life to class every day and plugs it into his wall outlet. He always sets his laptop on his desk, never on his lap. I'm sure he could do the same with this one.
I guess the age of the luggables has returned...
Remember kids! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Remember kids! (Score:4, Interesting)
Now, regarding quality my experience with Apple quality is that it sucks. Every Apple product I've owned has failed---the two macs each within a month of purchase. You may prefer the aesthetics of the Powerbook but I seriously doubt the quality is better "across-the-board". Frankly many of the parts are identical between the two and I can promise you that Dell does far more regression testing on their systems than Apple does. I've had nothing but good luck with Dell notebooks and have owned more than 6. After 10 days my Powermac failed and has been in the shop getting fixed now for two weeks. You don't have to put up with that shit on a Dell. Apple quality is a myth.
Uses Intel's New Chipset (Score:5, Funny)
The massive laptop is actually part of a new chipset design by Intel - with the success of the small and light Centrino design, Intel wants to persue the larger laptop market as well. The new chipset, the Overcompenson is expected to do well among groups that purchase expensive sports cars, Hummer H2s, and respond positively to Enzyte commercials.
It just all sounds... a little silly. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:It just all sounds... a little silly. (Score:2)
You're shit's gone down man!
Too big (Score:5, Interesting)
I think it's awesome that tech has come to the point of making machines like this. But how long is it before more people that don't need/want/know how to upgrade their machiens have these instead of real desktops at thier desk, in mass numbers? Think how much easier in a corporate environment it would be to move someone from one cubical to another, if all they had was a 'laptop' and personal effects!
Re:Too big (Score:3, Interesting)
I have a Dell M60 laptop, which I use as instead of a desktop. I work from home for an office the other side of the country. Therefore this thing spends most of its life docked, but I can take it with me if I want to work somewhere else, or I can take it to the office on my occasional visits. I don't need ultra portability and this new machine would certai
pretty big (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:pretty big (Score:2, Interesting)
The 17" versions are huge.. 19" !! ridiculous.
Soon laptop bags will become laptop carts if things continue this direction.
Maybe the next generation 52" "laptops" will come with self propelled cases.
Re:pretty big (Score:2)
a voice of reason here? (Score:2, Interesting)
Isn't this sort of thing the reason docking stations were invented? portability for on-the-go and a way to simulate a regular desktop when you are in the office?? I mean, reallly!!
-PONA-
Re:a voice of reason here? (Score:2)
Personally I think people who buy these things almost never move them off their desk. Its mostly just a space issue and looking cool.
I had an Alienware gaming laptop, great piece of hardware but I never took it anyway except the occasional Lan party, because it weighed almost 9 lbs and sounded like a jet engiine. After about a year I finally gave into common sense and sold it on Ebay for abo
Heavy now was light way back when (Score:5, Interesting)
Apple even had a carrying case for the 128K Mac when it first came out, which tradition is carried on in:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/LTA%20Projects/ILU
And there's even one for the Mac Mini:
http://www.tombihn.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Scr
The thing I'm faintly surprised / disappointed at is that no one has mad a combination carrying case and battery pack for a Mac Mini _and_ Wacom Cintiq (LCD integrated w/ a graphics tablet) which would get one a Tablet Mac w/o waiting for Apple to build one.
William
Re:Heavy now was light way back when (Score:2, Interesting)
I used to have to lug, in addition to my standard 70 pound pack, either a Pjunjar (portable drill for emplacing explosives in rock faces) or a GRiD mil computer, plus a 15 pound FN C2 with a 15 pound ammo chest pack for the 7.62 mm rounds.
Up mountains. In winter and in freezing rain. For weeks and months. Silently. Sometime
Re:Heavy now was light way back when (Score:2)
I can't believe they manage to continue selling these things now that tablet PCs cost less than half as much and actually include, you know, a computer...
Re:Heavy now was light way back when (Score:2)
Also, when one replaces a Tablet PC to update the processor, one has to get an all new unit --- a Cintiq can be left on one's desk, and the CPU replaced.
There was a very interesting overview and cost-benefit analysis contrasting
Portable? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Portable? (Score:3, Funny)
"Man portable device does not specify how many men"
Ah yes (Score:3, Informative)
Laptops? Bah! (Score:5, Funny)
Nothing builds character like a heavy duty Sun workstation carefully balanced on one's lap. To say nothing of more resilient balls.
Re:Laptops? Bah! (Score:2)
Who wants a laptop that big? (Score:2)
I, for one, am happy with my thin and light Centrino notebook. It's weighs 4.9 pounds, is 12 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and 1 inch tall, with a 14.1" XGA screen. It's incredibly portable...I carry it with me most places I go, it fits nicely on my lap, I can hand it off to someone to show them something on the screen. I can't do any of those with a DTR brick.
I was somewhat skittish about buying a mac
Bah! This is small potatoes! (Score:2, Interesting)
Someone makes a three-foot wide laptop with screen to match, I am soooo there. Full size keyboard, graphics tablet, and folding joystick right in front of me, big-arse 32" or so screen in front of me, maybe even fold-out flat speakers. How is this too big? I'm sick of
Proposed name (Score:2)
Chip H.
The problem with miniturazation... (Score:5, Insightful)
This recent development underscores the main problem with miniturazation...that while we can continue to make things smaller and smaller, their interfaces (input - keyboard/mouse, output - screen/speakers) must remain large enough to be useful, and the larger, the better. Even if you totally discount other problems like removable data storage, the main problem of user interfaces will continue to stand in the way of true miniaturization.
I'm wondering why we haven't seen a laptop marketed with a roll-up keyboard, fingertip mouse, and VR glasses? Freed of these constraints, the actual laptop could easily be made small enough to be wearable.
Re:The problem with miniturazation... (Score:2)
I'd want one of the computers, but more for the enhanced vision capabilites. heh
Re:The problem with miniturazation... (Score:2)
No, actually, I made the above post in all seriousness (although Snow Crash did rock SO hard, it gave me cancer, and then spontaneously cured me of said cancer, just to prove its awesomeness).
Seriously, when are we going to see decent, reasonably priced VR glasses/goggles? I'd pick up a set in a second, if they were available. Anyone out there with any info on this subject?
Indeed... (Score:2)
That's why I grabbed me a superslim Toshiba three years ago. 12.1" screen thin as sliced cheese. You get them more powerful but no slimmer or lighter today
Kjella
Past the ideal size (Score:2)
The 17" one is just too big for daily use, and is more suited as a mobile desktop as people have mentioned.
This 19" thing is going to be huge. It's just a desktop with a handle.
There's no doubt it will be a pile of plasticy crap too - I've yet to see a PC laptop that doesn't look cheap and tacky. Even the fancy Sny Vaios (which also carry the hefty price premium) look cheap.
Re:Past the ideal size (Score:2)
Ever seen an IBM Thinkpad? Their build quality is better than a Powerbook's.
Re:Past the ideal size (Score:2)
Re:Past the ideal size (Score:2)
I would be in heaven if I could run Mac OS X on the Thinkpad. The Powerbook may look pretty, but the Thinkpad is better-engineered and better-built.
What's wrong with it? (Score:5, Funny)
Sincerely, the American Association of Chiropractors.
Dell ain't dumb. Wake up. (Score:5, Insightful)
Think about it, in the PC world of today people:
A laptop with a 19" would fit perfectly here. Remember, Dell isn't where it is because its dumb. It does its research, and if its coming up with a 19" laptop, its because there is a market for it. Don't be fooled, airplane junkies won't be using this kind of laptop, they'll want something ultra compact with a long battery life.
Re:Dell ain't dumb. Wake up. (Score:2)
carrying case (Score:2)
It's called "exercise" (Score:4, Funny)
Re:It's called "exercise" (Score:2)
Diminishing returns (Score:2)
Much smaller, lighter notebook. Ok, power consumption of projector would suck.
What's with the Apple obssession (Score:2)
Can't post a story about Dell without mentioning Apple?
A tablet for artists? (with touch screen) (Score:2)
looks like a typo to me (Score:2)
...and that looks like it was taken from some sort of report or press release. And you are, hearing it fourth-hand. Looks to me like a typo, and that they pr
19" laptop ... tell me, (Score:2)
Engadget (Score:2)
Stop complaining about the size (Score:5, Insightful)
For the sake of all that is held dear by geekdom, please stop complaining about how large it is. If it is too large for you, don't use it. For many people the size is just right. It slides right into place, and gets the job done better than a smaller one would. For some people, bigger is better.
If you can't accomodate the size, don't buy it. If it looks like handling it would be uncomfortable, don't try to force it to fit. You won't be happy with the results.
Some of us NEED something bigger to satisfy our needs. Those small 15 inchers just don't pass muster. Of course, it may not be appropriate to haul around out in public, but we don't care. It may not fit on the plane, so what. Somebody talked about not being able to use something this large in the hull of a tanker. That isn't the first place that comes to mind when I think of this gorgeous 19 inches of bliss. I think the office or home is more appropriate. I need 19" to meet my needs, so I would buy one. ;-)
Seriously, though, this is not meant as a traditional portable laptop. It is meant to take advantage of the burgeoning laptop market, by taking the relative advantages of a laptop on to the desktop. Think of people living in smaller homes, or people who move, by car, between a couple of locations, but need the screen real estate. I believe there is a market for this, and I will buy one, if the $$$$ is right.
Re:Stop complaining about the size (Score:3, Funny)
Choice is good (Score:3, Insightful)
Brando (Score:5, Funny)
I want a 19 inch in my laptop, running Debian Woody.
Made for Urban Homes (Score:4, Insightful)
Also, you may not want to tote a 19 inch laptop on a plane, but you might drag it around the apartment or to the neighborhood starbucks.
Re:wow (Score:2)
Re:wow (Score:2)
Re:Man... (Score:2)
I thought he would have just called timothy an errand-boy...
Re:God I Really Hope (Score:2)
10 inches high.
Re:God I Really Hope (Score:2, Informative)
The number refers to the diagonal of the screen. Most 17" notebooks have the 17" widescreen in the 1440x900 range.
You want the 4:3 aspect ratio of a conventional ("normal") monitor.
It just depends on the work you do. For some work (spreadsheets, video) the wider format is nioce because you can get more columns or longer timelines on the screen without having to scroll. But many programmers are going to favor the taller format because code is generally formatted vertically so the extra area to the side is
Re:God I Really Hope (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:God I Really Hope (Score:4, Insightful)
I don't know how many people I've seen who see an ad for a "40 inch widescreen" and say "wow, that must be HUGE," when in fact it's about the same height their old 32" 4:3 TV set, and most US TV broadcasts will be just about exactly the same size on it.
Diagonal measurment has always been an obfuscating tactic by TV and monitor makers, even before widescreen systems started showing up. I think "width x height" should always be given, so you can know exactly what you are buying without having to figure out square roots in your head.
Re:God I Really Hope (Score:3, Interesting)
So yeah, a screen that is even more horizontal is of little use. The problem is the presumed convergence of all things electronic. Now maybe convergence is actually happening, but most computer software and movie DVDs have vastly different demands on screen size.
I love reading websites as if they were a vertical page of newsprint. Other stuf