Computer nirvana
Mine has off-white keys – so much easier on the eyes
Via haiku, a good summary of where we’re at with computers:
One day, someone will make the perfect computing device. Or will they? I’m starting to think it’s just not possible. At this point, in 2013, we all want something that is/has:
- Speed. Note that I didn’t say power. I think the days of chasing the all mighty gigahertz is over. I don’t care if I have a 3GHz processor or a quad-core whatever. I want apps to launch in an a second or so.
- Light. I spent years carrying around a 10 pound laptop and calling it light. Before that it was 17 pounds and I called it light. Now I’m carrying a 3 pound Ultrabook and thinking that the power supply is heavy. Whatever is next, it needs to be <= 3 pounds.
- Size. For a number of years there have been 15″ and 17″ laptops with huge screens. I believe this is because a 15″ or larger laptop was the only way to get a great screen resolution. Now that we can get 1080p resolution (or larger!) on a 13″ or 11″ screen there’s less reason to go large.
- Touch. Everything needs touch. Reaching out and touching an icon is more intuitive than using a mouse, touchpad or that weird little Thinkpad eraser head. You eraserhead people are weird.
- “Every laptop should (and will) have a touch screen in a year. Mark my words. This nonsense about how your arm will hurt assumes that you’re only using it. A touchscreen is complementary not primary.”
- Quality. Plastic crap is plastic crap. We care about our devices these days and we use them everywhere. Apple proved this with its excellent engineering and aluminum construction. Microsoft validated this and pointed out to OEMs with the engineering work put into the Surface. Microsoft has long made awesome keyboards and mice. I’m glad to see more quality hardware coming out.
- Keyboard. Now, I didn’t say “integrated keyboard” or “fancy touch cover keyboard.” I just mean keyboard. I would expand this even more to say “I need a keyboard when I need one and I need it to work well.” When I need a keyboard, I usually need it for either a short email OR a long document. For short emails or tweets an on-screen keyboard works but sometimes I do need to write for a dozen pages and I want that experience to be comfortable.
- Integrated. Everything should “just work.” That means touch scrolling without thinking of drivers, automatic updates without thinking, apps that support all my services (Gmail, Hotmail, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Ecosystem. The apps that I use. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Trello, Words with Friends, etc. I wrote about this in my post “I can’t even think about switching phones without these apps.” Once you’re invested in an ecosystem, the ecosystem itself is a kind of gravity that keeps you on that platform. If I had 2 apps I cared about, switching phones or platforms isn’t a big deal. Once I have 20, I need those 20 to exist on new platform – and be awesome – before I switch.
Nice summary and I’d add just one more thing – ergonomics. As I spend so much time on the computer, my priority order would have:
1. Integrated ease – that is, it’s light, quick and easy. I’ve a MacBookPro17 with a USB plug-in keyboard. The downstroke is minimal, which means if you touch a key, it registers but it speeds up word processing something amazing – how do you think I produce posts in less than 2 mins, with graphics?
The touchpad – one finger, two finger, is a dream, producing any form of scrolling or a multitutde of other functions you dial in. I simply can’t think of a quicker way except a tablet but the tablet can’t do a fraction of what I need it to do.
The static PC in the room remains with a cover over it – it’s just not needed for now. MacBookPro17 + plug-in Apple keyboard + BT package + Safari/Firefox + WordPress = workable system which keeps on keeping on.
2. Ergonomics – my aging body can’t sit at a computer desk or in a chair or kneel on the floor with the laptop on a box or lie on a bed or sit on the loo for any length of time – maybe 20 minutes until I have to completely change position.
If I want to watch a film – lie on the bed. If I want to check emails – anywhere. If I need to do some serious writing – position at a desk where I am right now.
And for me, that’s all I need. In fact, a woman might be horrified how modula everything is in this flat – collapsible/expandable and heaps of floor space as a result [very much from my Russian days].
The bottom line, in the end, is that it works and fulfils needs within a completely acceptable range.
Filed under: haiku, Technology & ideas
A good article, but the current constant upgrading of both software and hardware is very expensive to keep up with and do you need to ?
At this moment in time I have no need of a laptop tablet etc but i’m sure it will change in the near future I currently outside the usual uses of a PC really only use it for photo work , Photoshop etc and for this a good large monitor is essential, I currently have a Dell Ultrasharp and this is almost impossible to replicate in laptop form much as I would like to have the convenience of a more compact system.
James likes the the touchscreen as an intuative way to use a PC but although I see the logic they do divide opinion(see comments in article) with cameras forever cleaning the LCD is bad enough without a touchscreen system and for a PC worse but who knows what the future holds.
Which James, Wiggia? This one doesn’t like touchscreens and it’s another reason [forgot to state it] why I’d not buy a tablet or whatever uses touchscreens.
The touchpad is more than enough for me, with the plug-in keyboard as the adjunct.
I’ve just bought a new Computer for my home-office (for professional purposes).
I think it would make you laugh out loud.
Its a custom built work-station, when I entered the configuration into their website I got a personal call from a salesperson within half and hour to close the sale!
You can get the computer you’re asking for but like a good suit you can’t get that “off the peg”.
Needs voice activation through a mic in the glasses that also serve as a display screen when required. Detached processor sits in a pocket. Alternative screen also sits in pocket and unfolds for use.
Most of the computers around me I built to my specifications. I have even changed the three servers so they will do what I want them to do. The notebooks are more or less as I got them – operating systems changed to conform with everything else and the dual screen tablet uses a stylus and not fingers so the screens remain clean.
Yes, there is the marketing that makes people thing they need something very light that you replace every year but this is nor very cost effective. How many of todays toys will be giving service in ten years time or even five? I have a couple of computers from 1988 that still work and are invaluable for what they do. On the other hand I’ve seen some new toys that have stopped working in less than 10 months.
Another complaint I have with computer equipment is again the marketing hype that 1080p is the be all and end all for monitor pixel height – hogwash, the minimum should be 1200p.
It’s a custom built work-station
Would like to see it.
Voice activation
Forgot that – yes, I have that.
the minimum should be 1200p
Yes.
I got one of these : http://uk.asus.com/Display/LCD_Monitors/PB278Q/#specifications
I’m considering getting two more.
My goodness – do you need such resolution?
I followed the link Wolfie and read the comments elswhere and it is indeed a formidable monitor and amongst the first of a new breed.
As to do you need that much resolution, it depends what you use it for, for myself , doubtfull, as with printers over 240ppi is rarely necessary and few people unless pros print larger than A3 and up to that size 240ppi is ample, as with cameras pixel peeping has become a requirement for some who put advancements ? ahead of usage the new Nikon 36million pixel camera demands the best expensive glass to see the benefit so who gains, the manufacturer with constant upgrading not all of which is needed.
can you remember when people used to drone on endlessly about their woofers and tweeters and “my Hi-Fi is bigger than your Hi-Fi”………..
yawn!
I wonder what the next bore-athon topic will be after computers?
Wait for today’s 13:30 post and you’ll see, JD.
The higher resolution screens reduce eye-strain and hence fatigue.
Apple’s new “retina” screens have a higher pixel density and people are only just realizing its utility.
Personally I am able to extend my working day by as much as two hours before fatigue sets in.