Comments on: The Shrinking Computer and the Web Worker

By: Clark

Clark — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:27:39 +0000

I can only get things done when I am in a space that promotes productivity - my home office being the ideal. No distractions and a place with a purpose designed for work. The office is for execution. In line waiting is for dreaming, on the bus for learning or dreaming and etc. Also I relish the opportunity away from my office as a chance to interact with real people. Surely socializing oneself has a positive effect on your work.

But size does matter. The iPhone is a perfect computing device for me when on the go. There are times when I need information, need to communicate, and or record data. This size of a device makes that all possible without the need of a bulky heavy bag.

I see the MacBook air as more of an extended communication tool for when you are away from your workplace for extended periods of time. It may hold enough computing power for some but unfortunately not for me.

By: iphone man

iphone man — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:05:14 +0000

I don’t think the MacBook Air needs a replaceable battery. Battery life is like 5 hours. Can you name a place where you can spend 5 hours and not find a plug. And in 2008 (atleast in the US) and airplane doesn’t count because you can no longer bring a spare battery aboard.

By: Chuck Marshall

Chuck Marshall — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:02:55 +0000

We are almost there on the hardware side of the equation. My Wibrain B1H has a 1.2GH processor, 1 GB memory, 60GB disk. It runs Windows XP. Add a Vuzix VR920 HMD, a Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse, and maybe a Microvision Show picoprojector and you have the environment you describe. External batteries are available for all day usage.

Via's next round of CPUs promises significant improvement in processor power while maintaining the current low power characteristics.

The other advantages come to light when you travel. You don't have to take it out of the bag to get through airport screenings. It's a lot easier to use on an airplane than a laptop.

By: John DeRosa

John DeRosa — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:10:06 +0000

Mike – In theory, you’re correct. In reality, I believe two effects occur: (a) You wind up working more, because you can now work while on line at the supermarter AND at home, and (b) Your ability to focus your attention is fractured, and you increase your stress level. Much has been written about the dangers of multitasking, and the time lost from context switching…I presume you’re familiar with this topic?

If you’re really writing code while on line in the supermarket, you’re not paying attention to the cart in front of you or to what your kids are doing to the lady in the next aisle. (And if you’re telling me that you’re really able to write code while on line, I think you’re in the wrong line. :-) )

By: Mike Gunderloy

Mike Gunderloy — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:53:12 +0000

John – We’ve tackled the question of work/life balance before (and no doubt will again). For me, the attraction of a more mobilized computer is not to be able to do more work total, but to be able to make better use of my time. For example, if I could productively answer email and write code while waiting on line at the supermarket, sitting on the bus, and so on, that potentially frees up some hours I could spend with my kids at home.

By: John DeRosa

John DeRosa — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:58:51 +0000

"It opens up the possibility of being able to do my job more places than ever before" -- Why is this a good thing?

A common mindset is to advocate more work, more often, in more places, etc. This thinking says that it's inherently good to be available for work while you're at home, on the bus, in the middle of dinner, etc.

Making work easier is one thing. Make it easier to work is something else. I'm all for the former, but not the latter.

By: Bill Koslosky

Bill Koslosky — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:27:06 +0000

If the MacBook Air had a user-replaceable battery that would make all the difference in the world. Once SSD storage drops in price, subnotebooks like this one will be very attractive.

Look how the first interation of the iPod compares to the iPod Touch.

Even though the technology you're talking about might be possible in 5 years, it will take much longer for its use in a mainstream product.

I like the idea of a heads-up display and speech recognition, but others might be as adventerous as you or I. See what trouble it's making just to come up with a widely-accepted eBook reader. I'm comfortable with reading books on my Treo, but I don't think most people would even want to try to read a book on an electronic device.