The Return of the "Luggable" Computer

NatCh · 07-18-2007, 01:45 PM

Does anyone want a portable computer without a battery? That's the question to which Samsung is hoping the answer is "yes" with their announcement of the new G25.

It's a foldable form factor, just like a notebook, but it lacks a battery of any kind. They seem to be targeting folks who want a movable computer but don't really need to be "mobile." Students moving back and forth to school come to mind, or perhaps those who don't want to maintain a second computer at the house in the Hamptons.

I can also see this appealing to those who are a bit intimidated by full-blown PCs as it's a good deal less physically imposing, but has a full sized keyboard, a 19" widescreen display, and a cozy 320GB hard drive. As was observed elsewhere, the lack of a battery ought to make it pretty lightweight. All that for under $1,100 -- not too shabby.

So what do you think? Is this a good idea, or Samsungs next entry into CNet TV's Top Five Biggest Flops?

Source I4U News, via Sci-Fi's Tech Blog.

Nate the great · 07-18-2007, 02:15 PM

If they market it as a mobile desktop PC instead of a laptop, then I think it might sell.

There is a market segment that buys laptops not for portability but for footprint; a laptop takes up less desktop. This device might appeal to that market.

Cthulhu · 07-18-2007, 02:30 PM

Depending on the price and features, this could sell well.

A few months ago, I saw an HP brochure and a new sub-category of laptop is "desktop replacement." The unit I saw had a 17" screen (+/) and the media player could run with the screen closed via front buttons.
Of course it was heavy and expensive.

The laptop that I have is big and heavy, and after four years, the battery is very lazy--add to that the fact that the only way I can access the web is a PCMIA air card, and I have about one hour of time on the battery.

So for some people, a big laptop with no battery could be a valid choice. Not sure how much weight plays into it, though if you are being mobile, i.e. going from one location with outlets to another, the light weight could be a factor.

slayda · 07-18-2007, 02:57 PM

With DVD+-RW & wireless network capability, it would fit my needs very nicely.

NatCh · 07-18-2007, 03:01 PM

I forgot to add that it's supposed to only cost ~$1,100.

Nate the great · 07-18-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I forgot to add that it's supposed to only cost ~$1,100.

In that case, it stands a good chance of being the hot new PC this fall.

Robert Marquard · 07-18-2007, 03:32 PM

How many laptops are really used while balancing it on your knees? A modern laptop fries your balls anyway. Places like Starbucks can easily adapt by offering not only WLANs but also wall sockets.

Arek_W · 07-18-2007, 04:00 PM

i am not a buyer

, still love my maxi tower desktop, the flexibility of hardware setup, the power, blah, blah. I do have a notebook, only use it in the office. Waiting for smthg small like the ORIGAMI concept with battery life of 365 days between charges. Weight, max 250g. For now use my PDA with WIFI access & happy

Steven Lyle Jordan · 07-18-2007, 04:13 PM

I don't know... I'd think that if it's small enough to be considered "portable," or looks like a standard laptop, users will want it to be truly "portable," ie, something they can use away from the nearest wall socket. I could see a lot of people bringing this back to the store, saying, "Whaddaya mean there's no battery? It's a laptop, isn't it?"

NatCh · 07-18-2007, 04:25 PM

Yeah, they will have to be careful how they market it, if they want to avoid a lot of one-hour-later returns.

Leaping Gnome · 07-18-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Marquard

How many laptops are really used while balancing it on your knees? A modern laptop fries your balls anyway.

Anyone who uses it on the couch, like me.

I have a lapinator to protect me, works great.

RWood · 07-19-2007, 01:06 AM

This is indeed a "desktop replacement" type of computer. Studies have shown that very few of the people that own laptops really use them on just the battery alone. Even on an airplane I almost always use my iGo power converter. The battery in my laptop died a long time ago and still I keep it. It does everything I need in a laptop even if it is a P-3 @ 450 MHz.

I still keep the tower and mid-tower machines at the home office along with a few cube computers (Shuttle like.) Like Arek_W I favor the flexibility that is only afforded in build it yourself machines. I have more choices in this footprint than any other. In the long run it is also a lower cost method than any other that I have found to get exactly the configuration that I want.

Robert Marquard · 07-19-2007, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

Anyone who uses it on the couch, like me.

I have a lapinator to protect me, works great.

There are two problems with that. The first one is that you need the protector at all. That means the laptop is not built for this way of using it. The second problem is that the protector shields your balls from heat, but the consequence is sending the heat back into the laptop. I very much doubt that it will survive long.

HarryT · 07-19-2007, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Marquard

There are two problems with that. The first one is that you need the protector at all. That means the laptop is not built for this way of using it. The second problem is that the protector shields your balls from heat, but the consequence is sending the heat back into the laptop. I very much doubt that it will survive long.

Perhaps they are intended for girls?

I think the idea of a laptop without a battery is a good one. I often take my laptop from place to place, but always plug it in when I get to where I'm going - I never use it on battery power.

rmeister0 · 07-19-2007, 12:26 PM

The concept is fine. I'd love one myself, but it doesn't necessarily give me anything that having one work and one home computer and a portable usb drive doesn't. Getting rid of the brick is a nice touch. But where's the handle?

Dell's XPS M2010 does kinda the same thing: http://www.dell.com/content/products...=19&l=en&s=dhs

I've owned three Samsung products in my life and regretted every single one of them, so there's no way in heck I'd buy a computer with their name on it.

Of course, being laptop designs, these things tend to have ridiculous price tags attached.

07-18-2007, 01:45 PM	#1
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	The Return of the "Luggable" Computer Does anyone want a portable computer without a battery? That's the question to which Samsung is hoping the answer is "yes" with their announcement of the new G25. It's a foldable form factor, just like a notebook, but it lacks a battery of any kind. They seem to be targeting folks who want a movable computer but don't really need to be "mobile." Students moving back and forth to school come to mind, or perhaps those who don't want to maintain a second computer at the house in the Hamptons. I can also see this appealing to those who are a bit intimidated by full-blown PCs as it's a good deal less physically imposing, but has a full sized keyboard, a 19" widescreen display, and a cozy 320GB hard drive. As was observed elsewhere, the lack of a battery ought to make it pretty lightweight. All that for under $1,100 -- not too shabby. So what do you think? Is this a good idea, or Samsungs next entry into CNet TV's Top Five Biggest Flops? Source I4U News, via Sci-Fi's Tech Blog. Last edited by NatCh; 07-18-2007 at 03:02 PM. Reason: Added pricing estimate

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07-18-2007, 02:15 PM	#2
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	If they market it as a mobile desktop PC instead of a laptop, then I think it might sell. There is a market segment that buys laptops not for portability but for footprint; a laptop takes up less desktop. This device might appeal to that market.

07-18-2007, 02:30 PM	#3
Cthulhu Technologist Posts: 488 Karma: 585237 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I'm between Cities Device: SONY Reader PRS-500	Depending on the price and features, this could sell well. A few months ago, I saw an HP brochure and a new sub-category of laptop is "desktop replacement." The unit I saw had a 17" screen (+/) and the media player could run with the screen closed via front buttons. Of course it was heavy and expensive. The laptop that I have is big and heavy, and after four years, the battery is very lazy--add to that the fact that the only way I can access the web is a PCMIA air card, and I have about one hour of time on the battery. So for some people, a big laptop with no battery could be a valid choice. Not sure how much weight plays into it, though if you are being mobile, i.e. going from one location with outlets to another, the light weight could be a factor.

07-18-2007, 02:57 PM	#4
slayda Retired & reading more! Posts: 2,764 Karma: 1884247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Alabama, USA Device: Kindle 1, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S+, Kobo Aura One	With DVD+-RW & wireless network capability, it would fit my needs very nicely.

07-18-2007, 03:01 PM	#5
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I forgot to add that it's supposed to only cost ~$1,100.

07-18-2007, 03:32 PM	#7
Robert Marquard Delphi-Guy Posts: 285 Karma: 1151 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Berlin, Germany Device: iLiad, Palm T3	How many laptops are really used while balancing it on your knees? A modern laptop fries your balls anyway. Places like Starbucks can easily adapt by offering not only WLANs but also wall sockets.

07-18-2007, 04:00 PM	#8
Arek_W Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 24 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wroclaw, Poland Device: PRS-505, ASUS N636	i am not a buyer , still love my maxi tower desktop, the flexibility of hardware setup, the power, blah, blah. I do have a notebook, only use it in the office. Waiting for smthg small like the ORIGAMI concept with battery life of 365 days between charges. Weight, max 250g. For now use my PDA with WIFI access & happy

07-18-2007, 04:13 PM	#9
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I don't know... I'd think that if it's small enough to be considered "portable," or looks like a standard laptop, users will want it to be truly "portable," ie, something they can use away from the nearest wall socket. I could see a lot of people bringing this back to the store, saying, "Whaddaya mean there's no battery? It's a laptop, isn't it?"

07-18-2007, 04:25 PM	#10
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Yeah, they will have to be careful how they market it, if they want to avoid a lot of one-hour-later returns.

07-19-2007, 01:06 AM	#12
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	This is indeed a "desktop replacement" type of computer. Studies have shown that very few of the people that own laptops really use them on just the battery alone. Even on an airplane I almost always use my iGo power converter. The battery in my laptop died a long time ago and still I keep it. It does everything I need in a laptop even if it is a P-3 @ 450 MHz. I still keep the tower and mid-tower machines at the home office along with a few cube computers (Shuttle like.) Like Arek_W I favor the flexibility that is only afforded in build it yourself machines. I have more choices in this footprint than any other. In the long run it is also a lower cost method than any other that I have found to get exactly the configuration that I want.

07-19-2007, 12:26 PM	#15
rmeister0 Addict Posts: 270 Karma: 298 Join Date: Mar 2005	The concept is fine. I'd love one myself, but it doesn't necessarily give me anything that having one work and one home computer and a portable usb drive doesn't. Getting rid of the brick is a nice touch. But where's the handle? Dell's XPS M2010 does kinda the same thing: http://www.dell.com/content/products...=19&l=en&s=dhs I've owned three Samsung products in my life and regretted every single one of them, so there's no way in heck I'd buy a computer with their name on it. Of course, being laptop designs, these things tend to have ridiculous price tags attached.

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