I want it to cost as much as possible--a real pro unit--packing as much power (and lighted keys) as possible into the smallest space with the smallest screen. I want a clamshell, not a tablet, though, and no HD or internal optical.<br><br>I suspect Apple is not planning such a high-end, niche extreme, so we'll see if I like their compromise! 13" and very thin might be fine. The rumored "MacBook Air" name is as good as any, to me.<br><br>The standard I am measuring against: a $2100-$3700 (without even including Vista Ultimate!) Sony VAIO TZ:<br><br>http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stor...ategoryId=16154<br><br>The critical specs I want to match or beat from that:<br><br>11" screen (9-13" is acceptable, but please no huge wasted margin)<br>1366x768 res (higher preferred)<br>48-64GB flash drive (or more GB in a 1.8" HD for the sake of price)<br>Built-in camera, BT, WiFi<br>1.33 GHz dual core (Santa Rosa / Penryn ideally)<br>And most importantly: .8" thick and 68 to 99.5 cubic inches (McBook is 123 cu. in. for comparison)<br><br>I don't care about memory stick, nor Sprint mobile broadband unless really cheap. (I'm OK tethering to an iPhone, which should be possible one day.) Fingerprint reader is neat but not a big deal for me. Any new "multitouch" laptop stuff sounds pretty minor to me (like a new zoom shortcut) so I don't much care at this point whether those rumors have any basis.<br><br>The ideal might have a 13.3" 1280x800 screen, but so thin that it still has a volume similar to Sony's 11" model. Since I'm willing to give up some ports (docking stations meet that need) maybe it's remotely possible.<br><br>I'd want GMA X3100 graphics (with better drivers to come I hope), not the GMA 950 Sony still uses. I'd love real VRAM, but with 2GB RAM I can accept that sacrifice. I have my iMac for gaming anyway.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>nagr[color:red]o</font color=red>mme<br><br>I require stroyent!<br><br>http://TeamMacOSX.com | http://MacClan.net

Those specifications seem reasonable to me.<br>The flash drive is questionable. Maybe it will be a Nand flash drive with a Hard drive.<br>Here are some of the latest Intel mobile processors. <br>Maybe one or more will be the processor of the ultraportable.<br>I will look a little more into it and get back to you.<br><br>The first processor is an ultra low voltage Merom processor, the rest are Penryns.<br><br><br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>I want it to cost as much as possible--a real pro unit--packing as much power (and lighted keys) as possible into the smallest space with the smallest screen. I want a clamshell, not a tablet, though, and no HD or internal optical.<p><hr></blockquote><p>I agree and I hope it comes to pass. Instead, rumors are a 13 inch in a 19x6 format (not that bad) and a price of $1,500 (actually I am bummed at the low price because that means there is going to be a hard drive in there and not 60GB of flash).<br><br>For a company that seems to know high end Apple sure does seem to stumble when they go for ultra thin light weight completely tricked out computer with long battery life. I want to have to sign a statement that the batteries enclose may occasionally catch fire but they are the thinnest most powerful batteries made. OK with me. <br><br>If it can fit into a inside pocket of a sports coat (I can get a pocket made a little longer) I am all in. I tell apple strip it all down. Add a slim dock connector and kill us with add ons to get bluray and more disk space and a bigger screen but make the thing thin and light. (OK the light up keys would be cool too for a crappy typer.)<br><br>

Sounds great! But my hopes are low, since I like to buck the tradition among Mac forum-goers: I don't assume my needs match the majority :)<br><br>The compromise could be more palatable with enough BTO options--like a 1.8" HD standard, but solid state available BTO.<br><br>Rumors regarding price I do not buy at all. That's up in the air as far as I'm concerned. Most will be happy to see it low. I want high! (Though maybe not as high as Sony's 4 grand!)<br><br>Topper - thanks for the chart. I'll be hoping for 2.x Ghz!<br><br>nagr[color:red]o</font color=red>mme<br><br>I require stroyent!<br><br>http://TeamMacOSX.com | http://MacClan.net

8,050 posts, huh?! <br><br><br>

(8050? Who?)<br><br>OK, here are the specs (whether standard or optional) that will get me to buy. I would consider less only at the right price or with other compensating features. But I will be disappointed if I can't get:<br><br>* 2 GHz dual core Penryn / Santa Rosa chipset<br><br>* GMA X3100 graphics<br><br>* Less than 100 cubic inches<br><br>* Screen no smaller than 8", no larger than 13.3", with minimal wasted margin<br><br>* Some or all flash storage, no matter the cost<br><br>* 32 GB minimum total storage (since OS X alone takes around half that)<br><br>* 2 GB RAM<br><br>* Built-in camera<br><br>* $2500 or less depending on exact specs.<br><br>nagr[color:red]o</font color=red>mme<br><br>I require stroyent!<br>http://TeamMacOSX.com | http://MacClan.net

That sure looks doable to me.<br>I see you upped the processor's speed a little.<br><br>1 day, 2 hours, 24 minutes and we will know. Good luck.<br><br>(can't even reach 500 for an avatar)<br><br><br>

Ah yes, on MR. And ALMOST that many on the old MacCentral!<br><br>nagr[color:red]o</font color=red>mme<br><br>I require stroyent!<br>http://TeamMacOSX.com | http://MacClan.net

You got it <br><br>