ASUS CEO: Fold / Unfold laptop will cost between $1,000 and $1,500
By Darren Murph 
posted Mar 21st 2009 6:58PM
posted Mar 21st 2009 6:58PM
[Via Notebook Choice]
posted Mar 21st 2009 6:58PM
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The way that looks is hot.
Do want for around, 950cad taxes in and you might have a buyer. Oh, wait a minute, specs please.
I don't see the point of it. What does the folding accomplish?
It makes typing easier. -_-
Looks good.
The folding helps keep it cooled for one, which I guess would make for a smaller/thinner cooling system which would make for a thinner laptop.
@chispito: The keyboard has more room since in folded state it overlays the mouse pad. So it can be bigger and hence easier to type.
It definitely looks hot but I don't think its specs are going to be anything to write home about. Based on the price they're not going for the luxury market, more for the stylish market. So it's gonna be good looking but not very powerful or robust (think any Apple product :P), I'm willing to bet a virtual cookie that it's not gonna have a discreet graphics card. Then again, they're not aiming this for the "bleeding edge" market, but for the casual user looking for some style but not willing to go the Apple way, I think this might be a good alternative.
Personally, I want to know how good structurally this thing is. Laptops often get closed and opened dozen times a day - can this one withstand that kind of "abuse" without becoming flimsy and loose after couple of weeks?
Looks more of a SLIDING KEYBOARD and not a FOLDING.. that all laptops do!
@chispito
The point is to add moving parts and introduce more possibility of failure to the hinges. Then you will have to go out and buy another one.
The point is that underneath the keyboard are cooling vents.
Which means: thinner laptop, cooler laptop, quiter laptop.
It makes it easier to do Folding@Home and automatically puts you on Asus' team.
Is this going to be Atom based?
Maybe
Everything in this world is based on Atoms...
basic science... yeesh. get with the program.
If it's Atom based, then talk about overpriced. That makes the Sony P seems like a good deal.
Look at the folded things in the background... Anyone else remember being told they had to kiss that one girl in elementary school that always smelled funny? :P
Looks like mead binders are going into the laptop business.
looks sexier than an apple
Do not feed the trolls..........
He speaks the truth
Oh please he's being a troll himself. I'm not sure how I feel about the lighting underneath. If ricers didn't exist I'd say it's sexy... Eh, I'll still say it's sexy. :-)
Whoa, you nasty! You're attracted to a piece of hardware and possibly a food stuff?! Have you not discovered women?!?
Most women are dirty and carry STS's, that is why I stay away from them... only date ladies...
and no sex before marriage and blood tests, and pre nups.
women carry Cadillac STS's?! they must be stronger than i thought!
if the specs are nice, i'm DEFINITELY buying this when i'm in the market for my next laptop.
Give me the option for black plastic with blue LEDs and then I'll buy one.
ditto
Pretty reasonable price for this awesome design--its about time somebody actually thought of something new to do to a laptop!
It's amazingly think too. I hope they keep it that way for production. It will probably end up being Core 2 LV or ULV tho.
Waay cooler than the Air.
I hope they have a no-LED option, or at least a way to turn them off. Blue or pink, I don't want a "pimped" laptop.
they probably have a turn off option. to conserve battery.
Lime green LEDs, that's where it's at baby! (H)
This isn't MSN. The (H) emote will not work here.
I agree. Lime Green all the way, baby.
Don't most laptops fold and unfold? This is more of a sliding action.
a solution in search of a problem
Let's be realistic and double the price. That's what happened to the Eee, right?
I don't get it. How is it thinner if your essentially doubling the thickness by havering the keyboard slide on top of the track pad when closed?
Also the more moving parts there are the more likely it will brake or something will just go wrong. Interesting concept but really unnecessary. The look is also reminiscent of a cheap trapper keeper. I don't want to sound like a hater and innovation is always good but this one is lost on me.
Seems like your English is broken.
I guess I just really don't get it. It's just a keyboard that slides back and forth, making your laptop really thick, your typing experience different at all angles, and the underside of the keyboard REALLY dirty.
Am I missing anything?
it's a keyboard the moves up to increase airflow & ventilation, give you an angled typing surface, and a less wide platform because the keyboard covers the trackpad when closed.
Looks neat, but I always thought the screen size was more of a space hog than the keyboard. Usually the keyboard area has extra real estate. Am I missing something. Also, I hope they put some usb ports on the production model.
From Engadget's last writeup on this model:
"The design raises the keyboard to cool the hot running components beneath allowing for a fan-less, convection-cooled design."
Looks like it'll be uber-quiet...and maybe a bit easier to type on.
Seems a bit too expensive for me, and more mobile pieces = more breakage possibilities.
Oh, so it's $1499.
1499.99 + tax
"laptop will cost between $1,000 and $1,500"
... for them to make.
"laptop will cost between $1,000 and $1,500"
... for them to make.
lol j/ks but regardless this means nothing if i put a shiny new computer in front of you and said 'hay its only $1500, take it or leave it' what would you say? WHAT ARE THE SPECS.
"laptop will cost between $1,000 and $1,500"
... for them to make.
lol j/ks but regardless this means nothing if i put a shiny new computer in front of you and said 'hay its only $1500, take it or leave it' what would you say? WHAT ARE THE SPECS.
It doesn't really even fold down flat... But will have to see the specs first, it doesn't look that bad. Def agree on the no purple lights, blue led's and black gets my vote.
Certainly one of the best looking non-Apple laptops I've seen in a very long time. So glad no snarky "logo tax" comments about the price. F'narr !
I really don't understand the point of this concept. Remember how desktop keyboard had little fold-out tabs that propped up the back of the keyboard, allowing a sloped surface? Isn't that doing the same thing here?
yeah also note how those tabs made typing faster and more comfortable