[PCWorld]

Post your comments for The Ultimate Laptop to Replace a Desktop: What We Want here

[connolly]

You asked for ideas for The Ultimate Ultra-Portable Laptop. The big problem with current ultraportables is that they require one hand to carry them. Therefore, I may as well use that hand to carry my full-size, fully-featured laptop. My ideal ultraportable would fit into a belt holster. If this sounds like a smartphone, well, I don't care what it's called. I want true ultraportability (meaning no hands!), WiFi, FM radio, two card slots, telephone, email, a screen big enough to surf comfortably and a qwerty keyboard. A roll-up keyboard for occasional use would be a nice accessory.

[gangstatech]

Wow. Due To The Fact That It's Nice,
But It Also Runs Windows 7. I WANT IT!!

[greg720]

An ultimate ultra-portable must be pocket size, wifi, qwerty keyboard, email, a long battery life, 3g capable and Windows 7.

[number6]

Isn't that impossible?

[greg720]

Maybe 5 years down the road it wont.

[number6]

Yeah, but we won't still be using Windows 7. :)

[greg720]

hmm good point

[Resovolt]

Ultra-portables do nothing for me. Neither do massive laptops. I'd rather just get a good desktop for my games and serious computing, and a laptop for on-the-go work. I'd rather have two separate computers.
Desktops have the power, but aren't portable, and laptops aren't portable if they are too heavy and that massive.
I like being able to take my 13.3 inch laptop with me and set it down in a nice cafe or wherever I am, and not have to get out a power cord and unfold two screens or worry about people laughing at how tiny my computer is.

[taustin1382]

the majority of the market is still using the minor release of 2000 (xp) 8 years later.... what makes you think that the next MS major release will do any better than vista? if windows 7 is everything they say it is we might be seeing the same battle 6 years from now when windows 8 or whatever comes out.

[rcprimak]

I'd like to see a normal-sized laptop with a smaller version of the Microsoft Surface instead of a keyboard. Just gesture, and different input devices appear for specific tasks.

[number6]

You got a good point there.

[TechieXP]

I agree. Sony makes a device that fits that. - http://www.google.co...3059#ps-sellers

[TechieXP]

Even though in 5 years we won't be using Windows 7, it doesn' mean you couldn't. At that point we would be at Windows 8 and of course according to history the previous version will have all teh kinks worked out and latest version wouild have a few hiccups.



But what about Sony's UX - MicroPC - Even though it can't run Windows 7, it can run Vista...though I wouldn't go beyond the basic addition. But it could run the premium version, providing you didn't bog it down with to many applications. It fits in you pocket, has QWERTY, has wifi...and a screen that is definitely big enough to read/browse web.

[TechieXP]

If you've watch Windows history closely, each version of Windows is better then in predeccesor in some way. The 9x family though riddled with problems was a pretty good OS. Windows 95 was a god-send as it introduced plug and play, Windows 98 brought the ability to watch tv on a pc and finally made desktops copetitive with gaming consoles. Windows ME sucked compared to Windows 98SE but for those it did work for it offer many enhancements over Windows 98. It was however unsuccessful at bridging the gap to Windows 2000. Windows 2000 toughted as the most stable Windows release ever was a professional OS. But since so many flocked to it, Microsoft was force to release Windows XP earlier then planned because they need backwards hardware/software compatibility. Everyone hared Windows XP Didn't like teh color scheme since it introduced 3D 'eyecandy effects'. Windows XP/2000 brought a better file system to handle larger drive natively.

ost people who upgraded to Vista in at least 50% of the cases didn't need to for several eason. Which in fact were the same reasons many should have left Windows 9x for XP. Underpowered systems, the need to use older programs and the list goes on. Most people who have the PROPER systems for running Vista aren't have no more probles then they did with XP. We all know MS rushed Vista to beat Apple at the new OS punch.Caving in to Intel was another problem in qualifying improper chipsets. History will simply repeat because ppl with underpowered hoods are going to try to leap to Windows 7 andinherit teh sae problems. And they will be the ones crying as you are that this OS is no better then teh previous. Its a neverending cycle.

With a few acceptions, if you purchased a desktop/laptop that came with Vista Premium or better, then you will be able to run Windows 7 period. If your system came with Windows XP, and it wasn't because you chose to downgrade teh OS, then that system should use nothing nore then what it came with. Fact, S and OEM's suggest if you plan to move to a new OS, strongly consider buying a system with it preinstalled. Sure it makes them money, but fact is teh system has been designed for the OS has been tested and should work almost flawlessly. Which in most cases it does. Its only after stupidity takes over and ppl bring them home and gunk them up with software and cracks that they shouldn't be using.

I've been playing with the beta using VMware and though it looks promising, i'm not yet convinced its actually better. But it is too early. I am one of the few who are Vista Satisfied and I don't have to have the next new thing. I skipped some versions of Windows purposely to avoid problems. I Went from Windows 95 to Windows Me > XP > Vistaand I don't see a Windows 7 benefit at this point. And my system is fast enough and upgradable enough to run at least the next 2 OS's before I need to upgrade.

Back to teh article. I like the fantasy laptop. But with ppl complaining about 5lbs being to heavy it is obvious you can't add to any gizmos. If you're looking for a desktop replacment, then you can expect the laptop will have substancia size and weight. I would say dual screens, definitely won't make the ultra-portable scene.

Sony has a full pocket sized portable that runs Windows XP and could run Vista...the Sony UX - MicroPC. - Small also means expensive and manufacturing parts to micro size is expensive. Sony's lil toy is still close to $1000 brand new and about $600 refurbished, which puts it in the Asus EE range.

Looks like PDA's are the true ultra-portables as Windows and Pla based ones offer very good program to editiing Office documents, use of larger flash drives, offer GPS, wifi, qwerty...and so much more. Imagine what a phone will be able to do once Intel drops in a CPU as powerful as the P4. Its coming...and laptops could one day be the dinosaurs of technology.

And as stated, desktops still offer more as upgrading is possible and is cheaper. The fact you can't take it with you is its only drawback. I'm glad you can't. Watching ppl in theatres who spent $22.00 to see a movie only to sit and play with there iphone for 45 mins of teh ovie time is just stupid.

[samlalani]

For an ultra-portable laptop, think of two iPhones side-by-side, which fold so the height and width would still be the same as the current iPhone, but it would be twice as thick. I would add to that to make it a little wider. Let's make it 4.5" tall and 3" wide folded. Unfolded that would give you almost 6" width! You would still be able to carry it on your belt, the keyboard would still be the software keyboard, and it would give you a little more than twice the screen-size you have with the current iPhones!! What do you guys think?

[Dougo007]

How about adding a remote to make it an entertainment system for the Family Room (you already got everything you need including the Blue-Ray player and two very large monitors that can be put side by side to make one large screen)

[RealNeal]

Love the dual-screen laptop. Touch-screens, yes! Dual web-cams, yes! (Could that lead to holographic emails?) I'm still waiting for a laptop with an ergonomic keyboard.

[jhunts5]

How much would this system cost??? I just read the PCWorld article on the ultimate gaming desktops and one of them ran for over 10k! Holy PC batman! I was also thinking that you might have to hook a car battery up to it to keep it running! But I love the idea.

[rcprimak]

re. How much will this cost?

My idea of replacing the keyboard and touchpad with The Microsoft Surface would for a 16 inch laptop cost not much more than today's high-end entertainment or media optimized laptops. What some others have suggested here would cost MUCH more!!