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This is just the practical next step where the goal has to be seemless integration of all modes (phone, TV, music, portable, virtual home-based) and satisfying user experience. What would be much more interesting is how they are targeting the business market vs home user market vs health care market vs boomer retiring market. The satisfaction of those users for their overlapping and specific needs is where the future lives and breathes.
"We already sold ten trillion of them,and they all work just fine".
All smart devices in the home should be able to communicate with each other and share computing power wirelessly.
If it costs mre than $200, its bound to fail. That's why netbooks have swept away notebooks, right?
CNET blogs told me that people don't care about specs, size, speed - only price.
If its true for tablets, surely its true for laptops.
CNET blogs told me that people don't care about specs, size, speed - only price.
If its true for tablets, surely its true for laptops.
So why is it that the most expensive tablet is also the most popular? I started with an Android tablet (got frustrated with it), then a HP Touchpad (not enough apps) then ended up with an iPad. Currently using a Macbook Air installed with Windows 7 as my travel laptop.
Perhaps people are buying the most "feature rich" products!
Just guessing! I've been using this PC for 4-5 years now. It still works and does what I need! Why should I put up $300-$500 for a new one? It's running
a fairly old version of Windows which also meets my needs. Again, why spend
money on a new one?
Another consideration, my poor old copy of Windows XP is patched and works just fine.
One of these days, I'll have to get up-to-date but there's nothing urgent about it.
What I have works to my satisfaction and I'm not about to piss away my hard
earned money until I have compelling reasons to do so!
Just guessing! I've been using this PC for 4-5 years now. It still works and does what I need! Why should I put up $300-$500 for a new one? It's running
a fairly old version of Windows which also meets my needs. Again, why spend
money on a new one?
Another consideration, my poor old copy of Windows XP is patched and works just fine.
One of these days, I'll have to get up-to-date but there's nothing urgent about it.
What I have works to my satisfaction and I'm not about to piss away my hard
earned money until I have compelling reasons to do so!
"They need to emerge from innovation bankruptcy and do a lot more than just rubber-stamping Apple???s stuff."
So, are you people trying to tell the people out here that, once Apple has done something, that it's not okay for others to do the same? Especially when there actually is a difference between Wintel and Apptel? Let's see, Wintel PC runs the most used OS in the universe, and they run most applications developed for PCs, while Apptel devices run on an OS that has only 5-6% of the PC market, and don't run as many applications as any PC out there.
I'd say that's a win for the Wintel platform, even if the author cannot see the huge difference. Ultrabooks on the Wintel platform are automatically more suited to a bigger audience, than the ultrabooks from Apptel. Somebody is being blind to reality.
So, are you people trying to tell the people out here that, once Apple has done something, that it's not okay for others to do the same? Especially when there actually is a difference between Wintel and Apptel? Let's see, Wintel PC runs the most used OS in the universe, and they run most applications developed for PCs, while Apptel devices run on an OS that has only 5-6% of the PC market, and don't run as many applications as any PC out there.
I'd say that's a win for the Wintel platform, even if the author cannot see the huge difference. Ultrabooks on the Wintel platform are automatically more suited to a bigger audience, than the ultrabooks from Apptel. Somebody is being blind to reality.
Wintel has competed on price, and the result has been razor thin margins and no control over quality. Meanwhile, Apple is selling something like 90% of the computers costing more than $1000. I think Wintel is trying to position the ultrabook on high end and will compete with the Macbook Air as a result.
Today, much of Apple's profit comes from the strategic buying of components and advanced manufacturing techniques. It will be hard for Wintel to build an ultrabook as cheaply as Apple. I don't think Wintel can compete here. The discerning buyer is already moving to Apple, and those left, want a cheap PC.
Today, much of Apple's profit comes from the strategic buying of components and advanced manufacturing techniques. It will be hard for Wintel to build an ultrabook as cheaply as Apple. I don't think Wintel can compete here. The discerning buyer is already moving to Apple, and those left, want a cheap PC.
Like any other product that is new on the market, it might start out being a bit more expensive than most people are willing to pay for it. However, once the product is in the market for a decent period of time, and the volume of sales starts picking up, the price of the product will be reduced, and then, it becomes more affordable for the masses, and in due time, it won't be any different from the core-2 or the i-series in pricing, and we'll be at a point where ultrabooks ecosystem won't be much different from what the market is now with the "standard" PCs. And so, the ultrabooks will be the standard, and the Mac Air won't be seen as such a big deal, and we'll be looking for the next big thing in PCs (or Macs). The more things change the more they remain the same.
Low profit margins is something that the PC makers have been putting up with for more than a decade now, and it won't be much different in the coming years. Apple can charge more for its products because they have a built-in clientele which is willing to pay more for "perceived" better quality and because of their allegiance to Apple. There is no allegiance in the regular PC market, and people could not care less about where their next PC is coming from. They just want something that does the job, does it well, works with all or most applications, and wont bust their budgets. Apple doesn't have to worry about such worldly things, and they can name their own price and people will be lined up for miles to pay more.
In the end, which won't be long in coming, the PC market will be full of PC ultrabooks, and this current discussion will have been just another silly blogger needing to create a click-bait entry to "earn" his salary.
Low profit margins is something that the PC makers have been putting up with for more than a decade now, and it won't be much different in the coming years. Apple can charge more for its products because they have a built-in clientele which is willing to pay more for "perceived" better quality and because of their allegiance to Apple. There is no allegiance in the regular PC market, and people could not care less about where their next PC is coming from. They just want something that does the job, does it well, works with all or most applications, and wont bust their budgets. Apple doesn't have to worry about such worldly things, and they can name their own price and people will be lined up for miles to pay more.
In the end, which won't be long in coming, the PC market will be full of PC ultrabooks, and this current discussion will have been just another silly blogger needing to create a click-bait entry to "earn" his salary.
The MacBook Air was launched 4 years ago.
It has taken the Wintel league this long to see people want a lightweight device for email, browsing, code cutting, document creation, and basic photo and video editing and they come up with a copy of a device from 2007, I think Jason is on the money.
It has taken the Wintel league this long to see people want a lightweight device for email, browsing, code cutting, document creation, and basic photo and video editing and they come up with a copy of a device from 2007, I think Jason is on the money.
and 4 years ago, the i3 and i5 and i7 processors weren't even around. Now the ultrabooks are a few steps above whatever the Mac Air was 4 years ago, and it's a set of PCs which are quite competitive in style and power and features and form-factor with anything that Apple puts out. Heck, Apple may still have that "magical" attraction which keeps their loyal fans coming back for more, but, when it comes to any design advantage or style advantage or feature advantage, they're not really there for Apple anymore. The real winners are the people, who can get very comparable technology without having to pay higher prices. Whatever Apple was touting as their "thin" and stylish and lightweight Macs, are not really that much more attractive than what the competition is putting out now.
The Mac Air from 4 years ago is "old" technology, while the ultrabooks contain the latest in technology from Intel and other component makers. Whatever Apple puts out, is the same as the competition is putting out, and what you'll find inside any of those ultrabooks is a lot more powerful than the technology of 4 years ago that could be found in the Mac Airs.
Now, can you name any of those ultrabooks makers that are putting 4 year old technology inside of those computers? Can you name any ultrabook which has a processor that is less powerful than whatever Apple puts inside their current offerings?
It's okay being an Apple fanatic, but why not try being a bit more honest with your comments?
Now, can you name any of those ultrabooks makers that are putting 4 year old technology inside of those computers? Can you name any ultrabook which has a processor that is less powerful than whatever Apple puts inside their current offerings?
It's okay being an Apple fanatic, but why not try being a bit more honest with your comments?
While it is true, that Apple has announced the Macbook Air 4 years ago, they also did update the Macbook Air several times already. The last version, that is already selling more than half year ago has the same i5 and i7 you talk about and besides, it has much advanced technology - Thunderbolt.
Many people do not really understand why Thunderbolt is so advanced, especially more ultra portable notebooks. In essence it provides extension of the processor's PCI-Express interfaces outside the computer. In the Macbook Air of 2011, you have two 10 Gigabit/second channels out of that tiny connector. You can connect almost anything there, that is traditionally found inside a conventional "PC". No need to make your notebook bulkier or more power consuming (each and every additional chip consumes energy and takes pecious space).
Apple already provide quite useful 27" display with built-in Thunderbolt expander etc.
In the end, it all comes to competition. No doubt Apple will soon release a new update to the Macbook Air, that will bring about new performance levels... what then?
Many people do not really understand why Thunderbolt is so advanced, especially more ultra portable notebooks. In essence it provides extension of the processor's PCI-Express interfaces outside the computer. In the Macbook Air of 2011, you have two 10 Gigabit/second channels out of that tiny connector. You can connect almost anything there, that is traditionally found inside a conventional "PC". No need to make your notebook bulkier or more power consuming (each and every additional chip consumes energy and takes pecious space).
Apple already provide quite useful 27" display with built-in Thunderbolt expander etc.
In the end, it all comes to competition. No doubt Apple will soon release a new update to the Macbook Air, that will bring about new performance levels... what then?
Thunderbolt - Is an Intel technology.... and only a matter of time before it is in every Ultrabook..
especially when what you mention as advantages might really be available to all other ultrabooks, and they already have been, even if with the older technology.
If people are looking for ultrabooks, they're really looking for ultra-portable PCs, and not necessarily "ultra-fast" connections or ultra-fast CPUs. The fact is that, any computer is only as fast as its slowest component, and the speed provided by ultra-fast memory or ultra-fast Thunderbolt or ultra-fast CPUs won't matter much when a user cannot do anything faster than the broadband being used, as an example.
Most people who are looking for portability are not necessarily looking for the ultra-fast tech inside. They just want something that will do what they need, and will do it without hurting their budgets, and that are easy to tote around, and have reasonably new and adequate tech. So, how fast and small should a CPU be for browsing the internet? Will it matter? Do people really, really, need Thunderbolt to access Facebook or Google or Twitter or their preferred news source? Whatever Thunderbolt provides, will be, like someone else mentioned, standard in the months and years to come, and when it's everywhere, and available to everyone, Apple will have to seek some other technology or some other feature to differentiate their hardware/software from the others. For now, there really is no real advantage to owning a Mac Air over the ultrabooks from others. In fact, the advantage will be on the non-Apple ultrabooks, because, like always, they end up costing much less with a much bigger variety of makes and models.
Oops! Sorry! My bad!
There is an advantage to owning an Apple ultrabook. None of the other brands will have that big feature that the Apple faithful like about Apple, and that is, the Apple logo.
If people are looking for ultrabooks, they're really looking for ultra-portable PCs, and not necessarily "ultra-fast" connections or ultra-fast CPUs. The fact is that, any computer is only as fast as its slowest component, and the speed provided by ultra-fast memory or ultra-fast Thunderbolt or ultra-fast CPUs won't matter much when a user cannot do anything faster than the broadband being used, as an example.
Most people who are looking for portability are not necessarily looking for the ultra-fast tech inside. They just want something that will do what they need, and will do it without hurting their budgets, and that are easy to tote around, and have reasonably new and adequate tech. So, how fast and small should a CPU be for browsing the internet? Will it matter? Do people really, really, need Thunderbolt to access Facebook or Google or Twitter or their preferred news source? Whatever Thunderbolt provides, will be, like someone else mentioned, standard in the months and years to come, and when it's everywhere, and available to everyone, Apple will have to seek some other technology or some other feature to differentiate their hardware/software from the others. For now, there really is no real advantage to owning a Mac Air over the ultrabooks from others. In fact, the advantage will be on the non-Apple ultrabooks, because, like always, they end up costing much less with a much bigger variety of makes and models.
Oops! Sorry! My bad!
There is an advantage to owning an Apple ultrabook. None of the other brands will have that big feature that the Apple faithful like about Apple, and that is, the Apple logo.
Of course, Thunderbolt is Intel technology.
But, if it was not for Apple, nobody could have heard of it yet. All components that make (for example) an Macbook Air have been available to anyone -- yet, we have not seen much interest in these things, until Intel decided to make Windows platforms more competitive.
Thunderbolt is especially GOOD for mobile computing, because it packs every connectivity you may ever need in small tiny connector. Not everything you do with a laptop is related to downloading from Internet. Some people use laptops to process data -- Thunderbolt is very useful in such situations. It is also universal (PCI Express) bus, that let's you connect any type of peripherals at "native" speeds.
But, if it was not for Apple, nobody could have heard of it yet. All components that make (for example) an Macbook Air have been available to anyone -- yet, we have not seen much interest in these things, until Intel decided to make Windows platforms more competitive.
Thunderbolt is especially GOOD for mobile computing, because it packs every connectivity you may ever need in small tiny connector. Not everything you do with a laptop is related to downloading from Internet. Some people use laptops to process data -- Thunderbolt is very useful in such situations. It is also universal (PCI Express) bus, that let's you connect any type of peripherals at "native" speeds.
as an advantage for Apple?
If it's going to be available to all ultrabooks and other form-factors, then it's not an advantage for anyone.
So what if Apple got to be the exclusive thunderbolt provider for a few months? Intel had not intended for Apple to retain exclusivity for more than just a temporary basis.
Now, when it comes to Thunderbolt, it's a technology which was known to exist before Apple got to put it in their thin offerings. The only thing is that, Apple thought they could gain a big selling point by being first to offer the feature, and for a while, they did have the slight advantage. But, Intel never intended to have just one manufacturer have the exclusive rights. It wouldn't make sense for Intel, but, it made sense for Apple to gain that slight advantage for a period of time. Now, time's up, and the advantage is gone. And, so, like I said before, Apple is going to have to come up with some new feature or gimmick to regain the advantage.
If it's going to be available to all ultrabooks and other form-factors, then it's not an advantage for anyone.
So what if Apple got to be the exclusive thunderbolt provider for a few months? Intel had not intended for Apple to retain exclusivity for more than just a temporary basis.
Now, when it comes to Thunderbolt, it's a technology which was known to exist before Apple got to put it in their thin offerings. The only thing is that, Apple thought they could gain a big selling point by being first to offer the feature, and for a while, they did have the slight advantage. But, Intel never intended to have just one manufacturer have the exclusive rights. It wouldn't make sense for Intel, but, it made sense for Apple to gain that slight advantage for a period of time. Now, time's up, and the advantage is gone. And, so, like I said before, Apple is going to have to come up with some new feature or gimmick to regain the advantage.
When looking at current Ultrabook offerings there is no Thunderbold available. All this, despite Intel were developing the technology for several years and that Apple is selling it for one year already. One year, in computer hardware is a lot of time. It may well become obsolete by the time Wintel decides to adopt it...
Thunderbolt is available in every Macintosh released since one year ago. Again, it is very powerful and useful for a mobile device technology -- but you have to support it. Does Windows even support Thunderbolt?
Thunderbolt is available in every Macintosh released since one year ago. Again, it is very powerful and useful for a mobile device technology -- but you have to support it. Does Windows even support Thunderbolt?
This is a bit old article, but, Thunderbolt on the PC has been in the works for a while, and it will be arriving in the most anticipated OS ever, Windows 8, and it's going to be on Windows 7.
"Intel Shows Off A Windows 7 Computer With A Thunderbolt Port"
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/intel_shows_windows_7_computer_thunderbolt_port
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Thunderbolt-coming-to-Windows-7-notebooks.61402.0.html
Apple should continue enjoying their "exclusive" Thunderbolt offering while they can. It won't be lasting much longer.
"Intel Shows Off A Windows 7 Computer With A Thunderbolt Port"
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/intel_shows_windows_7_computer_thunderbolt_port
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Thunderbolt-coming-to-Windows-7-notebooks.61402.0.html
Apple should continue enjoying their "exclusive" Thunderbolt offering while they can. It won't be lasting much longer.
Your arguments aren't following any logic. You aren't giving Apple any credit. They have the latest i5s and i7s. They are up to speed but if you'd take your MS blinders off you could have seen that.
The main thing you should credit them for is having the vision to be the first ones to have the "Ultrabook" in any kind of volume.
If you weren't such a MS fanatic you could be honest and give credit where credit's due.
The main thing you should credit them for is having the vision to be the first ones to have the "Ultrabook" in any kind of volume.
If you weren't such a MS fanatic you could be honest and give credit where credit's due.
Arguing against a product or a company, does not automatically mean that I'm a fan of the opposition, especially when the opposition is composed of many players, those being the many manufacturers, and the many software developers. That Windows is a Microsoft product, does not mean that I'm automatically favoring Microsoft just because I argued against the Apple hype. I'm arguing against the hype that accompanies many discussions involving the mere mention of Apple. My argument is about not buying into the Apple hype, and it's not necessarily about me preferring any Microsoft products/services. I'll take whatever works well enough, and is not priced absurdly higher than whatever else is available. Apple doesn't do it for me, but it's not because I hate them. I'm just not buying into the hype.
so, why couldn't you? Why the "WTF" in your comment?
I pride myself in spelling correctly, and in correct grammar. But, the imperfect make a mistake once in a while.
Now, I had no idea we had a spelling or grammar policeman on-board. But, you better be careful from now on, because, next time I catch any of your posts, I'll be checking it for errors.
I pride myself in spelling correctly, and in correct grammar. But, the imperfect make a mistake once in a while.
Now, I had no idea we had a spelling or grammar policeman on-board. But, you better be careful from now on, because, next time I catch any of your posts, I'll be checking it for errors.
@adornoe this category was carved out by Apple 4 years ago with the MacBook Air. When I look at the base spec an Air today I get:
- 1.6 GHz i5
- 2GB RAM
- 11.1" display
- 2 x USB 2.0
- 64 GB SSD
- 1 x Thunderbolt (Apple the 1st to implement Thunderbolt for Intel)
- SD Card reader
- Instant On
oh and this was released half way through last year - still available for US$999 - it can be configured up to an i7 with 256GB of SSD for a low US$1800.
Acer announce what?
- i3 to i5 maybe i7
- HDMI
- USB 3.0
- 20 Gbps Thunderbolt
- Magic flip I/O to hide the ports (Apple had that until they ditched in the last refresh)
Al this available in Q2 somewhere between April 1 and June 30 - no confirmation on price I would guess they will seek a price point in line with the Air.
Yes I see you point - the Wintel Ultrabooks announced last week have a HDMI port and USB 3.0, mea culpa, mea culpa how could I miss this as a critical blow to my statement that Wintel OEM's are catching up with what Apple released as a new product line 4 years ago when everyone was using Netbooks and they were going to save the (PC) world.
- 1.6 GHz i5
- 2GB RAM
- 11.1" display
- 2 x USB 2.0
- 64 GB SSD
- 1 x Thunderbolt (Apple the 1st to implement Thunderbolt for Intel)
- SD Card reader
- Instant On
oh and this was released half way through last year - still available for US$999 - it can be configured up to an i7 with 256GB of SSD for a low US$1800.
Acer announce what?
- i3 to i5 maybe i7
- HDMI
- USB 3.0
- 20 Gbps Thunderbolt
- Magic flip I/O to hide the ports (Apple had that until they ditched in the last refresh)
Al this available in Q2 somewhere between April 1 and June 30 - no confirmation on price I would guess they will seek a price point in line with the Air.
Yes I see you point - the Wintel Ultrabooks announced last week have a HDMI port and USB 3.0, mea culpa, mea culpa how could I miss this as a critical blow to my statement that Wintel OEM's are catching up with what Apple released as a new product line 4 years ago when everyone was using Netbooks and they were going to save the (PC) world.
Of course it's taken Wintel 4 years to notice the Apple thingy. When you talk Apple and numbers (very small numbers), compared to Wintel Apple is at the bottom of the barrel 
So yea, it takes 99% of the world a while to notice anything Apple does.
So yea, it takes 99% of the world a while to notice anything Apple does. - Keyboard Shortcuts:
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