Apple recruiting Sony VAIO engineers to build the first Intel PowerBook?

Will the first Intel PowerBooks be designed by a team of ex-Sony engineers? Could be. A reliable source tells us that Apple has been "having trouble playing catch up with the learning curve for designing using the Intel platform" and that in order to have an Intel-based PowerBook out by next year they've been scrambling to recruit an engineering team with some experience building light and thin Intel-based laptops. And how are they going to do that? By poaching from Sony apparently, by hiring a headhunting firm in Japan which has been trying to recruit as many current Sony VAIO and ex-Sony VAIO engineers as they can in order to have a team in place as soon as possible. Sounds a little crazy, but it wouldn't be the first time that Apple's turned to Sony for assistance — you might recall that they had Sony help them design the very first PowerBook way back in 1991.

[yonatron @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Didn't Sony also design the PowerBook 2400? I seem to recall hearing that more than once. Somebody go look it up, 'cause I don't feel like it..

[Stephen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

So if we base our speculation on previous vaio laptops. The apple's will have great battery life, poor support, a useless memory stick slot and no composite video output.

I have a love hate relationship with a Vaio R505. That's why I bought an iBook...

[jxj @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Nice score on that little news bit Pete....I would love to see Apple come out with some competition to the x505 or the T and S series.

[Jazzay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

i love my Vaio Picturebook aside from the proprietary power connecter, i cant find a replacement anywhere since it was discontinued 3 years ago, anywho i cant wait to see this, i love the apple design, i love the sony design, i for one am anxious to meet the lovechild of the two

[mark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

apple should take a look at averatec's laptops!

[iomatic @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Duh. Like they're going to put a MemStick slot in there, and drop all support all of a sudden... :)

Of course it's going to be sweet, but again, how will they engineer and differentiate (besides the awesome OS) to all the dweeb PC users who only look at raw specs? Example: search for Airport Extreme and you'll find PC-centric reviews that rail the thing because it doesn't throw in four extra Enet ports... um, WHY? IT'S FRIGGIN' WIRELESS...

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

That's the question, and how myopic naysayers pan Apple products and (sadly) turn public opinion into fact (or not; read: iPod) but I'm sure in the end, we'll all be impressed by their innovations.

It will rock, as most of their crap does over far-worse Win-crap.
...

[Wuddel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Certainly a good thing, because I do not think that this will "change" thw outside look, but only the under the hood layout.

[DZ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Apple should just keep doing what they're doing, the aluminum powerbooks have the best laptop design i've seen. If I get screwed into having a macintel powerbook that isn't well designed i'll be pissed.

[Chris Roberto @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Well since Sony PCs are crap, the Apple laptops with Intel shall be crap.
Overpriced.
Shit battery life.
Shit components.
Wet look screen which reflects everything making it impossible to see unless in a darkened room.
But they will make great gaming consoles...

[steve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

This is contrary to the buzz I hear... (not that the buzz is reliable)

[xerox @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

"Overpriced.
Shit battery life.
Shit components.
Wet look screen which reflects everything making it impossible to see unless in a darkened room.
But they will make great gaming consoles..."

do you honestly believe that Apple will just use Sony components and design everywhere? Obviously Apple will be consistent with their design style and make sure all the laptop meets the criteria set out by Apple.

[Will Mac @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

there first PowerBook will be awesome cuz Sony has some cool notebooks. but i dont think they will be designing the outside, just the inside components.

[Cullen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

id rather a powerbook designed by the IBM team...i think their designs are far nicer, but tahts just me. i cant wait for these to come out, the first generation is going to be so much fun to play with.

[Al @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Who cares. It's not like it's going to turn out bad in the end. Apple wouldn't let that happen.

[Andy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Some of you are hilarious. Oh yes, because Sony is helping out with Intel ARCHITECTURE for Apple's Powerbook, it's going to be a Vaio with shit components!

Or, Apple might (since this is unconfirmed) just be getting a hand from Sony with some Intel architecture and are still the ones actually making the laptop.

It's funny listening to what some of you guys will say whenever Apple comes up even though it flies in the face of basic common sense.

[Peter da Silva @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

The 2400 was a collaboration with IBM Japan, not Sony.

I would much rather they hired some ex-IBM engineers than ex-Sony ones. The Thinkpad is the best laptop available today, bar none, at least for anyone who gives a damn about actually using it rather than just making it look sleek and cool. It's got the best keyboard, it's had a longer history of keeping module compatibility than anyone (we have stacks of old Toshiba and Dell modules in a drawer at work, but the old Ultrabay modules are still good in all but the thinnest thinkpads), and it's full of just plain nice design features like the white LED above the display that illuminates the whole keyboard... not just the edges of the keys.

Either that, or license OS X to Lenovo so I can get a Thinkpad running an OS that doesn't suck.

[Nate MC @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Don't forget the first Mac used the Sony 3.5" Floppy drive.

[rboy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Sony rules!

[Arjan Bosma @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

It wouldnt suprise me if Apple is building a cheap tablet pc like device with long battery life. The date that Microsoft was supposed to launch the new tablet PC platform is (if I remember correctly) a couple of months after the Apple will first launch its first x86 computers.

"Just" a new Apple notebook would not have a lot of special features to offer compared to existing devices. A cheap tablet PC like device would.

[Daniel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Let me get this straight. First they move to a PC CPU. Now they're having a PC company design their computers? Boy they really are at the cutting edge of innovation.

[gr00vy0ne @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Not all Sony notebooks are crap. Most of the higher end models tend to be trend setting designs. You can credit Sony for helping to usher in glossy high contrast screens, thin and light designs (thinner and lighter than Apple), widescreen designs, memory card slots (only Memory stick but one of the first to introduce the concept), long battery life, the use of magnesium and alternative materials (e.g. carbon fibre), and alternative coloring schemes.

While not everyone likes Sony's styling, it certainly is better than anything that domestic PC laptop makers have produced. The only truly innovative laptop makers left are Apple and Sony. Others notables include IBM/Lenovo, Fujitsu, Samsung, Toshiba, Sharp and Panasonic who still produce their own designs but are not as groundbreaking.

[Michael Ishigaki @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

At least it'll be sezzy!

[Aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I'm not too sure about Apple using shit PC components. I have been a Mac user for my whole life and I have always felt that Apple has always been better. But, I would like to see what Apple comes up with. I don't believe Apple would let one of their computers look or perform like the crap PC. But I still think Apple has the best computers out there

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

They're not designing the thing. They are changing architecture, and need some help going between PPC and x86. SONY IS NOT DESIGNING THE NEW APPLE COMPUTERS.

[gr00vy0ne @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I should add that it should be an exciting thing for everyone regardless of if it's Apple or Sony.

Think of it. You're getting the best of the best people at designing notebooks. You all know that they're not going to simply copy a PC design. They basically get to start with a fresh slate so you can expect that they will produce something awesome. They already have an awesome OS to work with and they have experts at shrinking PC components and optimizing power. I'm sure that Apple will still design the overall product to keep it in line with their other products.

Just imagine a Powerbook that weighs 3.5-4lbs, that can last 7-8 hours (for real), has a vibrant color screen, all your favorite ports, possibly all carbon fibre design, and all connectivity. Nothing to complain about here! :-)

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Actually the 2400 was Built by Apple Japan and IBM (code name was Comet), it was a redesign of the then 3500 (code name Hooper). It was one of the best machines once you got used to the keyboard in it's time. A later revision called iceball (if I remember) was a speed bumped version that never made it to the US (officially). It added Card Buss support (important if you wanted to hack an AirPort card into it (yes there is enough room to put the antenna in).

The 2400 was not originally intended for the US market but interest in the product got it localized for the US market (thus the strange keyboard "dead keys"..... Lot's more trivia available but I think I wasted enough time...

Great little machine I still miss......

[Rus @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Didn't Sony have a big hand in the PowerBook 2400 as well?

[Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

lol, bunch of apple loving idiots here.

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Jesus, most of you people are complete idiots. I'm not going to even bother explaining why. Just read Andy's and Xerox's comments.

[ixalon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I'm amazed so many people report problems with VAIO Laptops. I've used my 1.8GHz GRX daily for 3 years now and haven't had a problem. It uses a pretty standard barrel-type power connector, has composite out and has survived numerous drops off a coffee table. I've recently up'ed the memory to twice it's advertised maximum and upgraded the CPU from 1.8 to 2.6GHz and still no problem. Touch wood, it has another couple of years of life left in it.

Apple just needs to make sure it gets the engineers who were responsible for this model! :)

[Jazzay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

heh, i know someone with a 1992 powerbook that someone literally just handed to him, i was actually impressed even tho it could only do clock and MS Word (installed later, but still, '92 laptop running Word) and some command prompt, but im just amazed that 18 years ago that they had something like that, good enough LCD screen, touchpad, enough power to do effective word processing, im not one of the computer veterans that grew up with this kinda stuff okay?

to these comments about the next powerbook being designed by Sony, get a hint from everyone around you, theyre talking about keeping the thin-and-light design while incorporating a processor that needs a heftier cooling solution then they are used to, not just to redesign the laptop, but if they do, i cant wait, heck i cant wait to use the Mac OS on a computer thats fast enough to run it comfortably rather than waiting 10 seconds to open up a program

[totalundone @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

IBM thinkpads are utilitarian. They are excellent notebooks, extremely reliable and utterly boring. I don't see Apple deciding to go the thinkpad route. Sony's notebooks are cheaply made, terrific style, and expensive.

But that's not the issue here ;)
It's that they are using Sony and ex-Sony employees to design the hardware (which consists of casing). "Light and Thin" are the keywords. I'm thinking that the new laptops will resemble the VGN-S360 in different sizes. What I think they will be designing is the internal components so that they can all fit under a certain size.

I'm sure Apple is sticking with intel manufacturing the mainboard (using the 915 chipset) and probably intel's next gen onboard video (which will still probably be worse than the current radeon 9200, sorry, i really dislike intel's onboard video).

[Andy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

> witten by steve:
>This is contrary to the buzz I hear... (not that the buzz is reliable)

How contrary exactly? Sony hiring PowerBook engineers away from Apple?
Hmmm...

[Mitch @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=7/21016221584.jpg&s=x1

[Gordy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I find that hard to believe since Apple has had OSX on Intel PCs for several years now. I'm sure they've tried it on a few laptops too in that time.

Its a good rumor though.

[Steven @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Ok, apparently none of you can comprehend English.

"trying to recruit as many current Sony VAIO and ex-Sony VAIO engineers".

Recruit means that apple is trying to get Sony engineers to work for Apple, not Sony the company working for apple.

[RX9 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I find it highly unbelievable that Apple has been sitting around for the last couple of years squeezing the last remaining MHz out of the PowerBook G4, and (as you seem to suggest) only now decide that actually they should start engineering a better laptop based on Intel chips.

Yes, the Intel switch was agreed and made public only recently, but Apple surely has been working on Intel-based laptop engineering for some time already, just as they have for desktop machines. Just look at the Developer Platform Macs - they had an Intel motherboard sitting inside a Power Mac case from day 1 of the announcement.

It's plain to see that the PowerBook line has suffered the most from Apple's PowerPC legacy. It's stagnated for the best part of a year, while all the other Mac offerings improved steadily. The separation between iBook and PowerBook is the smallest ever. The only reason Apple didn't upgrade the Mac mini properly this month is because it would have made it as fast as Apple's supposedly "Pro" PowerBooks, and the Mac mini is designated to the low-end consumer line.

Steve Jobs preached to the masses in January and proclaimed that 2005 was going to be the year of HD. He hates to be made a fool of, and the PowerBook currently makes him look foolish. A "Pro" laptop that can't play HD video, when the iMac G5 can? I hope this is hurting him as much as it's hurting his most loyal Pro customers.

The last 3 hardware upgrades this year have all been consistently yawned at by even the Mac faithful. Apple have some serious ground to make up on the hardware front. Hiring new engineers today might help, but I'd say today would be too late.

[mikster @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Apple is searching for ENGINEERS, not aesthetic designers for the laptop.

[jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Built Apple tough with Sony Stuff

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

They're hiring engineers to redesign the architecture, yes, but that doesn't mean Sony will have no part in the asthetics. Different departments work together to put together a computer, they don't just do their own thing and then hope the parts will fit into whatever the design department made. Seriously go read some designer logs on Sony Vaio's website, every department works together, so if Sony's gonna help with the system architecture, they're probably gonna alter the design by abit.

[Moiety @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Re: 38.

Absolutely not. Internal architecture has nothing to do with external design. You think people who specialize in creating the engines for a car have any considerable experience or input into the look of the vehicle?

Please.

The look will be created by Apple's award-winning Industrial Design Team led by Jonathan Ive, as it has always been the case.

[zzz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I think this rumor is not true. If it partially is, all old and new engineers are under Design President, etc, and mr. Jobs.
Those engineers will learn to deal with those top dogs (vise versa).
Since Jobs came back, there are such many hurtful mistakes...
to users' feeling.... It is funny, I think the degree Apple and Sony
hurt their fans are quite comparable.

Just add more variaty here, zzz.

[Mary Branscombe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Um. If they hire people from Sony to go work at Apple, I think that means Apple does the design internally using ex-Sony expertise. That's the bit about hiring rather than contracting.

And form follows function; the case has to accomodate the needs of the internal architecture as well as giving the machine style.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I just hope they still have round edges.

[zzz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

That is what I am talking about:
Apple nowadays = form follows function follows integrity follows marketing follows mr. Jobs

Ur, zzz.

[The Dude @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

umm. Sony Vaio engineers to WORK on COMPONENTS?

This means the GUTS of the damned thing. Not how it looks. Jesus people. Learn to read.

[tahirz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I believe the question must be "Will Apple buy Asus?" As Digitimes stated earlier last week they have just secured orders from Apple. http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20050620PR200.html Asus already builds intel based laptops and they are pretty good at it (I have used one for some time) It was just lack of design. I mean comparing to Vaio there is a style lack but it was OK. With some help from the guys at Apple's design team, I am sure they can accomplish. But I am wondering will there be a Pocket OS X. Asus already builds Pocket PC's with Intel processors... This will be something to watch :) ehehheh

[zzzuser @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Apple seldom buys other hardware company (e.g. Asus) but some softwares.
Or it will steal (Confabulator: Widgets) in a fair term. It likes cutting cost nowadays, and playing heavy hands on marketing. So, it doesn't use contractors as before as Mary Branscombe said (#41), but try extending in-house as much as it could. Good HP's hand is with apple marketing team, and now it's Sony's time. I saw some Asus stuffs though, impressive and sturdy. Sony's stuffs recently is questionable, but still great. Asus obviously copies Sony, in my opinion for laptop or plam-top technology, appearance, and inspiration.

[taro @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Well this is Good news/Bad news.

Good news: Faster Powerbooks

Bad news: Powerbooks that break faster
(with Sony�s worst-in-the-industry durablity and build quality)

Mo� bad: This bastard-lovechild VAIObook is gonna built with �help� of rejected Sony boneheads with high TOEFL scores. Let me tell you I have never worked with a lower lifeform than Sony management and their striving for the least robust construction.

Well�. at least the new VAIObook may not have the normal Powerbook feature of overheating and whining like Boeing 777 full of Japanese girls coming back from a vacation in Papua New Guinea. Right now, my Powerbook is sitting on a cryotherapy pad with hoses connecting it to small refrigeration unit on the floor to keep the Powerbook quietly keening rather than screaming.

Taro in Tokyo
http://news.3yen.com/

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

If I were Apple I'd try to poach the team that designs the Panasonic Toughbook W/Y series.