The Shrinking Computer and the Web Worker
January 28th, 2008 (11:00am) Mike Gunderloy 7 Comments
Small is increasingly “in” when it comes to hardware. The recent launch of the MacBook Air is just one example of shrinking computers to cross our radar recently. There’s also the Asus Eee PC, the $180 chumby internet device, and even the Pulse “smartpen” from Livescribe. Each of these devices takes the power of a general-purpose PC and crams it into a small and light form-factor, though with major or minor compromises.
But as a web worker - someone actually trying to get work done on the web - I’m torn by these devices. On the one hand, the promise of increasing portability of computing is great; it opens up the possibility of being able to do my job more places than ever before, without carting around a backpack full of equipment and searching for power outlets and network drops. But on the other, these devices just don’t cut the mustard for me (I’m on the side of those who find the Air to be too much of a compromise). This opens the question, though: what am I waiting for?
If I think about my dream portable device, there are some key design constraints. I’d like it to be lightweight - but for me, the difference between 3 pounds and 5 pounds is negligible. I want it to have the raw computing power of my desktop machine (which is substantial). Decent amounts of portable storage and good wireless connectivity are musts, but those appear to be solved problems. And I don’t want to have to learn yet another one-off operating system or idiosyncratic input method to deal with the device.
What don’t I care about so much? Having a keyboard or display that are so compromised that they get in the way of my work. Here’s where I’d like to see some more thinking out of the box - literally - from vendors like Apple. Keeping full-size input and output devices limits how much you can shrink a device. Switching to tiny versions limits its utility. So why not the third choice: put some serious R&D into virtual devices?
For input, everyone seems to be focused on speech recognition these days. While that’s great for some things, I’ve always found speech to be a very marginal input device for getting serious writing or programming work done (and yes, I’ve tried some very high-end systems). I’d rather see someone get the laser keyboard working right. Let me find a flat space to work on (perhaps with speech or a thumb keyboard as a backup) and give me a full-size keyboard without requiring the device to hold it.
For output, projection seems to be the way to go as well. Vendors like Benq and Toshiba have already pushed SVGA DLP projectors down to under two pounds. Alternatively, there are plenty of head-mounted displays out there that could benefit from the high-end R&D of a topnotch PC vendor.
To some extent, of course, the device I’m dreaming about is already out there. Wearable computing advocates have been cobbling together systems like this for years. But what I want is a single-vendor, commercial, slick, off-the-shelf system that I can buy, turn on, and start using. It feels to me like we’re within five years of this point.
7 Comments Post your own comment
Bill Koslosky says: January 28th, 2008 1:27pm
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.
John DeRosa says: January 28th, 2008 1:58pm
“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.
Mike Gunderloy says: January 28th, 2008 2:53pm
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.
John DeRosa says: January 28th, 2008 4:10pm
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. :-) )
Chuck Marshall says: January 29th, 2008 10:02am
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.
iphone man says: January 29th, 2008 10:05pm
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.
Clark says: January 30th, 2008 6:27pm
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.