Thoughts on the Intel Metro Laptop
10:53 am May 30th, 2007 by Sal Cangeloso
Intel Metro Laptop at Youtube
So by now you have probably seen a number of articles about the Metro laptop, the 0.7″ thick notebook designed by Intel. It is pretty slick looking- super thin, glossy, with and e-ink reader on the LCD cover and leather-looking cover that is said to contain a battery.
First of all, it’s a prototype so don’t get too excited. Second of all, we have no idea about what sort of components or battery life it will have so while the concept is cool I can’t see this as a viable alternative to a good ultraportable yet.
It does sport a SideShow-style screen on the LCD cover in the form of an e-ink reader (check out the video for live action). This concept is something companies have been looking into, without any success for some time now. A digital ink reader is definitely the way to go because this could turn the notebook into an e-reader when you don’t have room to open it or want to do some reading without killing your battery life. It’s definitely cool, but I am not sold on it yet though as it’s potential as a part that breaks seems really high and their are major hurdles concerning the UI and interaction with the computer (does it have to be on? etc.) for something like this.
As for the design, it’s pretty good. I really like the use of magnesium for the case and the thinness is obviously incredible. As for the leather-looking cover, not bad, but it could be better. I do think the keys look cool, though I doubt that the backlighting that it looks like it has could ever make it to market. The keys would have to have very little travel so I bet they would not be much fun to type on, but anything this thin with a QWERTY keyboard is going to have to make sacrifices.
All told, the Metro Laptop looks good, but I can’t say that I’m as impressed as everyone else. Yes, it’s thin and has a reader, but with so many great ultraportable out it is going to have to try harder in order to get me interested. I would still rather have a Sony TZ or X505.
Love the idea of the screen on the front, for feeds & music.
Is the sole purpose of having the screen on the front to conserve power? I’m not sure it’s a necessary addition. I like my devices to be compact, but I’m not sure why people go to such extremes to lose a pound or two off of their carrying weight.
- Mike
The screen on the front is there for convenience, so you can do some reading without opening the notebook. It uses e-ink so that it only consumes battery power when pages are turned. It won’t save any weight- there still is the normal LCD screen- but it will allow you to read a book or maybe your feeds.