Patent Shows iPad/Laptop Combo from Apple

[Joe Johaneman]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/12/apple-patents-macbook-pad-concept/' target='_blank'>http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/12/...ok-pad-concept/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Patently Apple has discovered a new patent granted to Apple that shows a laptop transforming into an iPad."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1291648127.usr105505.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Personally, I can't see why I'd ever want this. &nbsp;One of the reasons I like my iPad is that it is incredibly light. &nbsp;I don't want to add the weight of a keyboard to it. &nbsp;If I wanted that, I'd have purchased a laptop. &nbsp;Does this look like something you'd be interested in purchasing?</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

So does it convert into an iPad, or a touch screen Mac? If the later, and support for the touch screen is reasonable, I would suppose there would be a market for it. Especially since, as an Apple product that MS OEMs have had available for years, it will now be innovative, amazing, magical.

Really touch support, while having been mainstreamed in phones, is moving to bigger form factors and gaining traction. I agree that it if you just got an iPad with a keyboard, it wouldn't appeal to me. If the screen part was self sufficient and removable, and a MAC OS, that would likely generate some interest.

[karen]

There's a similar Windows device that makes a laptop that runs Win 7, but the screen pops off to become a Linux-based pad.

I could see value in this device if it were a MBP when combined and an iPad when separated. That would allow me to travel with less weight. I'd have the convenience of an iPad when that's all I needed and the content/performance of a laptop when I need that.

Right now I have to travel with both.

So I'm thinking this is an attractive design if that's what it is.