suggestion: iBook with 13.3" screen

[MS]

The current 12" iBook is a very nice computer, but the screen is
really too small compared to the overall size of the machine. In the
PC world, most 12" screen laptops are true subnotebooks, smaller and
lighter than the iBook. I'm not suggesting that the iBook should
compete with these, since subnotebooks are typically priced around the
12" PB level. What I would like to see is an iBook with a 13.3"
screen, like the old Thinkpad 570 and 600's (which were about the same
size as the iBook). I'n quite happy with the dimensions of the current
model, but the bezel around the 12" screen is large; I think they
could fit a 13.3" screen without increasing the current size at all.
The 14" might even be updated to 15", but I'm mainly interested in the
12" model. The iBook has the screen of an ultra-portable laptop, but
the computer itself is not really that small. Still, it's miles better
that the ridiculously small screen of the first generation iBook...

[John Johnson]

In article <9cd69d7.0307170242.173fdc3@posting.google.com>,
[email]m_stewart76@eudoramail.com[/email] (MS) wrote:

> The current 12" iBook is a very nice computer, but the screen is
> really too small compared to the overall size of the machine. In the
> PC world, most 12" screen laptops are true subnotebooks, smaller and
> lighter than the iBook. I'm not suggesting that the iBook should
> compete with these, since subnotebooks are typically priced around the
> 12" PB level. What I would like to see is an iBook with a 13.3"
> screen, like the old Thinkpad 570 and 600's (which were about the same
> size as the iBook). I'n quite happy with the dimensions of the current
> model, but the bezel around the 12" screen is large; I think they
> could fit a 13.3" screen without increasing the current size at all.
> The 14" might even be updated to 15", but I'm mainly interested in the
> 12" model. The iBook has the screen of an ultra-portable laptop, but
> the computer itself is not really that small. Still, it's miles better
> that the ridiculously small screen of the first generation iBook...

Have you made this suggestion to Apple? That would be more effective (in
some ways) that posting it here.

Mind, one reason why the iBook is so large in comparison to its screen
is that the case is pretty thick. The trade-off is that you can (and
many people do) carry the thing around bare, or with just a "skin" type
cover instead of a full padded bag. You get a slightly larger package
when uncovered, but the space that you save with the bag is welcome to
many people. Lord knows that my PB takes up a pretty big chunk of my
packing space because of that padded case. that case is absolutely
necessary for it also.

--
later.

johajohn AT indianahoosiers DOT edu

Remove the adjective to reply. Indiana is a noun.

[MS]

John Johnson <read_the_sig@the_bottom.edu> wrote in message news:<read_the_sig-072AD2.11154517072003@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>. ..

>
> Have you made this suggestion to Apple? That would be more effective (in
> some ways) that posting it here.

from [url]http://www.apple.com/legal/default.html:[/url]

Apple's Unsolicited Idea Submission Policy
Apple or any of its employees do not accept or consider unsolicited
ideas, [bla bla bla] So, please do not send your unsolicited ideas to
Apple or anyone at Apple. [bla bla bla]

> Mind, one reason why the iBook is so large in comparison to its screen
> is that the case is pretty thick. The trade-off is that you can (and
> many people do) carry the thing around bare, or with just a "skin" type
> cover instead of a full padded bag. You get a slightly larger package
> when uncovered, but the space that you save with the bag is welcome to
> many people. Lord knows that my PB takes up a pretty big chunk of my
> packing space because of that padded case. that case is absolutely
> necessary for it also.

I don't fully agree here, I think the screen diagonal can be increased
without affecting the thickness of the machine at all. I'm of the
opinion that the screen should fill as much of the available space as
possible, I dislike a large amount of useless dead space around the
screen. I'm sure I'm not the only one, who would prefer a 12.1" screen
if a 13.3" could fit in the same package? The 12" PB has the same
screen, but the edges around the screen are smaller (though I think
they can be smaller still). The 15" PB has a very thin bezel which I
think is exactly right. I know this isn't a technical issue as much as
an economical one. The iBook has a small screen to keep costs down
(and to make the PB not look too overpriced). This is a perfectly
sound reason, but I wished it were otherwise. Like I said, I really
like the design of the current iBook. But a minor flaw on an almost
perfect design is all the more annoying.

[John Johnson]

In article <9cd69d7.0307200156.1f232aaf@posting.google.com> ,
[email]m_stewart76@eudoramail.com[/email] (MS) wrote:

> John Johnson <read_the_sig@the_bottom.edu> wrote in message
> news:<read_the_sig-072AD2.11154517072003@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>. ..

> >
> > Have you made this suggestion to Apple? That would be more effective (in
> > some ways) that posting it here.

>
> from [url]http://www.apple.com/legal/default.html:[/url]
>
> Apple's Unsolicited Idea Submission Policy
> Apple or any of its employees do not accept or consider unsolicited
> ideas, [bla bla bla] So, please do not send your unsolicited ideas to
> Apple or anyone at Apple. [bla bla bla]

But, IIRC, they DO accept comments about their products. Something along
the lines of "The 12" iBook is great, but the screen is a bit small..."
You're not suggesting anything, just making a comment. If enough people
say similar things, they might decide that a larger screen is something
to consider. I will admit that the "comment" route is less satisfactory,
but, it gets you something.

>

> > Mind, one reason why the iBook is so large in comparison to its screen
> > is that the case is pretty thick. The trade-off is that you can (and
> > many people do) carry the thing around bare, or with just a "skin" type
> > cover instead of a full padded bag. You get a slightly larger package
> > when uncovered, but the space that you save with the bag is welcome to
> > many people. Lord knows that my PB takes up a pretty big chunk of my
> > packing space because of that padded case. that case is absolutely
> > necessary for it also.

>
> I don't fully agree here, I think the screen diagonal can be increased
> without affecting the thickness of the machine at all.I'm of the
> opinion that the screen should fill as much of the available space as
> possible, I dislike a large amount of useless dead space around the
> screen.

When I referred to case thickness, I meant material thickness in all
dimensions, not ultimate case thickness. As for the bezel, it's not
useless dead space if it's providing enough rigidity to keep you from
cracking your LCD. This is particularly true when the machine in
question is designed to be carried around without a cover. If you drop a
powerbook onto the corner of its screen, or smack any edge with the
corner of something, you run the risk that the force breaks either the
glass or the control circuitry of the LCD. The less material that there
is between the LCD and the edge of the machine (either the back or edge
of the case), the greater the chance of damage. In order to lessen this
risk, there is more plastic on the iBook. None of this is surprising,
but maybe this clarifies my above comment a bit.

>I'm sure I'm not the only one, who would prefer a 12.1" screen
> if a 13.3" could fit in the same package? The 12" PB has the same
> screen, but the edges around the screen are smaller (though I think
> they can be smaller still). The 15" PB has a very thin bezel which I
> think is exactly right. I know this isn't a technical issue as much as
> an economical one.

I agree that economization plays a role, but its pretty difficult to say
whether technological limits do or not. Sure, you could design a
portable computer with a smaller bezel, but will it be the same strength
as the current iBook, and as resistant to damage? I'm actually fairly
certain (without being an engineer) that you could do all of the above.
I rather suspect that the price for such an item would be well past the
iBook's market. In this sort of question, technical and economic issues
do not separate as cleanly as one might like.

As for the smaller bezels of the PowerBooks, look at the two factors
that I have (implicitly, at least) addressed: the PB's are (now)
metal-cased, and metals typically have better rigidity than plastics, so
you can get along with a smaller bezel for similar characteristics
(rigidity, strength, etc.), especially when you build to a price or
performance target. Even when the PB's were made of plastic (like my
Pismo), it was some sort of glass-filled plastic (ABS?) instead of the
iBook's polycarbonate. Unfilled plastics are cheaper than filled ones,
though filled ones have better rigidity, and typically, better tensile
strength. Secondly, the iBook is designed to be carried bare, and the
PB's are, IMO, clearly not so designed.

--
later.

johajohn AT indianahoosiers DOT edu

Remove the adjective to reply. Indiana is a noun.