Hey everyone, I'm doing a reasearch project on computers and how they influence and interact with other cultural movements and trends. I am especially interested in studying the mobile computer as a terminal to the computing world that actually interacts with a varied cross-section of environments and uses. I was thinking this wuld be a great place to gather some real-world opinions of people on the subject of mobile computing. Feel free to answer if you are inclined to... What are the most desirable traits in a mobile computer that you look for? Feel free to be as specific or general as you like. And also, is there anything you feel is "missing" from mobile computers today, especially in relation to a specific aspect of your lifestyle? (e.g., I wish mobile computers had better displays because I'm in the sun a lot and can't see what's on the screen clearly) Thanks a bunch for your help everyone!

I wish mobile computers came with a cup holder; maybe even an ash tray. No, scrap the ash tray and fit it with a nicotine patch dispenser instead:) Relation to a specific aspect of your lifestyle? They could be cheaper, much, much cheaper;)

ooh..i agree with the better display bit.. need rotating screens, easy to clean keyboards, maybe where i can remove the keyboard and blow it squeaky clean with a blower, then one that can take alcohol spills (ooh boy..i never forgot that experience..)and nto get drunk on me... , a really really good graphics card..better than what you get on a table computer, longer lasting batteries..like say..about 3 days...,and that i can carry it in my purse.. and btw.. have you seen the latest computer? japan technology? it's the size of a pen.. works on laser technology? even the keybord and the screen are laser? IM me your email..will fwd it to u...

Ruggedness like an ol' Texas Instruments calculator. A fast processor. Long battery life. Moisture resistance. Fold out sun/privacy shade. Wireless internet capability. BIOS password protection. Large HD capacity.

Fast CPU. Lotsa RAM. Superduper high-res screen. Fastest possible vidcard. Large HD. Wireless internet capability.

Plasma rifle in 20 watt range.

Well a real keyboard and a pointing device that is not trying to handicap you. I absolutly loathe laptop pointing devices and end up getting a trackball to take along with it so I have something that works. Try painting a picture with one of those usless dilly bops the square below the keyboard. Argh! There are things I like about laptops. One is the batteries so you have an outage you get to play for a bit before shutoff.

Erosiaart: OMG! Where can I get me one of those?????????

thebryster...just move to japan...you'll get all this..and more... i wouldn't be suprised if they soon come out with cool sunglasses that has a comp screen on it..you just voice out what you want to type out..and it does it for u.. i beleive they've done soemthing like this..or was that a cell phone on a sunglasses? ask the japanese

Hey, I wonder if those pen thingummies are made by the same manufacturer who produce those glasses that allow you to see through clothes? Len. (Last I heard, they can now penetrate through three layers)

a battery that could last as long as a render..;)

what about the shadows from your fingers when your typing, would it still be a workable keyboard?

I know for a fact that the projected keyboard works just fine...even gives a little 'beep' when you 'hit' a key! They had one on.....wait for it.....the RADIO! Well, LOL they described it well.......there's even a keyboard that rolls up like a little mat and you can stuff it in your pocket!

oh..i forogt to add..the person displaying..had done a bryce render with a gigabyte of refraction, reflection, et al... :-P ;-)

Lots of memory, a REAL microphone input with phantom power for condenser mics and at least two proper quarter inch inputs for guitar and keyboards. Also top notch graphic and sound card. Waterproof case and keyboard would be nice also.

A laptop that comes with Halle Berry or Selma Hayak. In all seriousness... A laptop that I can afford.

I'm curious as to how a projected keyboard knows when you're just resting your hands and doesn't a;lsdjf; sdlfjle roquolsj ahdofzxcv xcvt... Well, you know what I mean.

It probably senses movement - like when your finger suddenly stops moving when it hits the surface. or... It could be autosensingmovementpressuremodulation. Len. (Ignore that last bit - I made it up)

As you might have guessed. Every method of internet connection not leaving out 56k modem. So when you are in an area that has no cellular, no broadband, no wifi. You can still connect via dailup. Beyond that compactness,long battery, and low cost as in sub $750.00

apparently the projected keyboard uses another laser to track your fingers in relation to the projected keys. The darned thing actaully knows where the keys are, not just where they would be if the pen is "placed so the emmiter is 3 inches above a flat, clean, nonreflective surface at an angle between 85 and 95 degrees. The darned thing sees the keys and your fingers! You can project the keyboard on the dog and it still works! I read a thing about it.

Most desirable feature i would like on my laptop is..Jeri Ryan(7 of 9 in star trek) :p Sorry mods just a bit of cheeky fun... CD (Waiting till he can use his computer again)

yeah i miss her :( She helped me get through my parent's divorce :-D (by causing me to distract myself by watching star trek)

LOL - 7of9 did more for StarTrek than any other actor in the history of Sci-Fi.......;-) (although I thought Sigourney Weaver was pretty hot)

Message edited on: 01/31/2006 07:02

Jolene Blalock is the only reason I watched Enterprise! Jeri Ryan kept Voyager on TV for 3 more seasons than it should have. But as far as sci fi chicks go, Claudia Christian from Babylon 5 and Claudia Black from Farscape are at the top of my list.

Message edited on: 01/31/2006 07:17

Or Claudia Black from Stargate SG-1?..;) And than Ben Browder on the same show, what are the odds?..;)..the only reason Moya's not on the show is she wouldn't fit through the Stargate..;) Next thing you know, Majel Barrett would show up on Bab 5, and Leneer (sp?) would show up on DS9..what an incestuous business..;)

Long message... A a laptop need to be expanable. To you can upgrade it like anything else in life. Long battery life. And desktop part can be used. Graphic and Processor. Dont really care about sound. As for the pen never seen them in my life. Lived in japan for my whole life. They look kool. Not in any computer store i know of. As for Sci-fi girl lex doig is the way to go. Or any of the andromeda girl in season 5. Love star trek but watch it for the story line not the girls. the other sci fi mentioned sux!