The MacBook Interface Dilemma: So Many Ports, So Little Space

There's a wide variety of hardware interfaces associated with personal computers, and laptops simply don't have room to accommodate them all. In recent MacBook models, Apple has had to sacrifice some interfaces in the name of size -- and in the name of progress. But all those ports do basically the same thing: move data. Might we one day see one interface to rule them all?

Look on the side of any MacBook or PC laptop, and you'll see a Swiss-cheese-like array of holes. They're all interface ports for plugs of various shapes and sizes. Mini DisplayPort. HDMI. 8P8C. FireWire 400. FireWire 800. DVI. VGA. WUXGA. And good old USB 2.0. They're all there for connecting peripherals -- mice, monitors, hard drives, MP3 players, cell phones, and even weird little things like flexible gooseneck lights for working in the dark.

These ports have evolved over the years, changing in size and spec, and Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) , in fact, created a tempest in a teapot a few months ago when it dumped FireWire 400 ports from its new aluminum unibody MacBook line.

Still, it seems that we're getting closer to a single interface. USB is now the standard way to connect mice and printers, whereas a few years ago those devices had their own specialized ports. iPods and iPhones sync and charge via USB. Now even some monitors can plug in via USB. And now that USB 3.0 has been standardized, might it become the port through which all data flows? Or will we forever inhabit a land of diverse wires, all of which need a special home of their own in the back of one's computer?

Will FireWire die? Will Ethernet live forever? And what of HDMI, which in an Apple world so far only exists on the Apple TV ?

Shrinking Laptops, Shrinking Ports

As laptops get increasingly smaller and thinner -- like the MacBook Air -- a key design challenge becomes fitting the most important ports in the least amount of space.

"Certainly manufacturers want to have as few connectors as possible on a PC, particularly as form factors shrink and there's an increasing premium placed on design," Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis of consumer technology for the NPD Group, told MacNewsWorld.

"The 'Universal' Serial Bus [USB] has lived up to its name pretty well over the past few years as it's taken the place of many legacy ports, but few monitors support the DisplayLink USB video standard, so it appears that we will still continue to see some kind of video connector such as HDMI or DisplayPort on PCs for some time to come," he explained.

"If, for example, you have a media center PC designed to be connected directly to an HDTV, it certainly makes sense to have HDMI on board," he added.

There is pressure to drop other connectors, though, as manufacturers seek to build thinner, simpler PCs.

"The RJ-45 connector used by Ethernet was too thick for the MacBook Air, so Apple dropped it on that model with the rationale that its increasingly common for highly mobile notebook computer users to connect via WiFi. FireWire was the dominant standard for connecting to tape-based camcorders, but nowadays most camcorders use either USB or a memory card," Rubin noted.

Incidentally, "USB can also take the place of microphone and headphone jacks, but these are still included as a convenience so that PCs can be used with standard headphones," he added.

If USB and WiFi Are Strong, Is FireWire and Ethernet Weak?

"Convergence on USB seems reasonable, but Ethernet has its own path and achieves higher speeds," Roger Kay, president Endpoint Technologies Associates, told MacNewsWorld.

"I think Ethernet will survive. FireWire might slowly die, but Apple is a big supporter, and a lot of consumer electronic peripherals use it; however, Apple has a tendency to drop legacy faster than the PC gang," Kay explained.

"The interface in greatest flux right now is video out, with legacy VGA, DVI, HDMI, Component, Composite, and S-video ... clearly, something has to give there," he noted.

When it introduced is new MacBook line in October, Apple moved its video out standard to the Mini DisplayPort, which can support larger, higher-resolution monitors than the popular HDTV and HDTV device peripheral video out leader, HDMI.

Long Live USB!

While Apple has retained FireWire ports in its MacBook Pro line, though, few seem to expect it to live long.

"The upcoming 3.2 Gbps (gigabits per second) FireWire standard is still slower than USB 3.0's 4.8 Gbps," Mel Beckman, an independent network and Internet security consultant, told MacNewsWorld.

"FireWire likely won't survive, as USB 3.0 encompasses its capabilities," he added.

As for video out ... USB 3.0 may also provide some answers.

"USB 3.0's high speed will eventually usher in USB monitors -- even HD monitors -- as well as provide a solid interface for yet-unrealized devices such as fully volumetric 3-D displays, which were demonstrated this fall at the TED conference," Beckman said.

"While monitor ports may be relegated to USB dongle converters eventually, for now monitor ports will continue, mostly due to the available small DVI connectors," he added.

As for Ethernet ports, Beckman believes they will persist for quite some time because so many office-oriented devices use Ethernet ports.

It's worth noting that while peripherals like keyboards, mice, and printers have evolved away from dedicated ports in favor of USB, they continue to evolve into needing ports at all. Wireless Bluetooth connectivity is steadily replacing USB in some cases -- as long as the device can get by on relatively slow speeds. External hard drives, for example, go with USB for speed and reliability.

However, some, like Apple's wireless router/hard drive combo Time Capsule, use WiFi for data transfer to and from connected Macs -- though the Time Capsule retains both Ethernet and a USB port on the device itself.

It's All About Growing Up

"The FireWire brouhaha last year was a good example of what happens as an industry matures. It seems to me that in less mature industries, vendors develop proprietary technologies to gain competitive advantage and product differentiation," Charles King, principal analyst for Pund-IT , told MacNewsWorld.

"For a long time, FireWire made sense for Apple, but as other technologies like USB caught up and PC consumers moved more and more toward notebooks -- reducing the literal footprint of space available -- proprietary interface technologies became a burden both for Apple and its developers and partners," he explained.

"It's not unlike other industries' moves toward standardization -- including the emergence of SAE standards for screws, nuts and bolts, or electrical manufacturers adopting standardized fittings for light bulbs. The benefits of gained from adopting standardized technologies -- simplified design, development and manufacturing -- easily outweigh the competitive advantages of locking customers and partners into proprietary technologies," he added.

Mac Bloggers Hail White MacBooks, Salute Apple TVs, Chuck iPhone Nanos

Thought Apple intended to bleed its supply of plain-vanilla MacBooks dry in favor of the newer, more expensive aluminum models? Not quite -- the low-end line just got an Nvidia-caliber upgrade. Also, comments from Apple during a financial conference call indicate nothing you could call an iPhone nano is on the way anytime soon, and Apple TV sales are doing just fine, thank you.

There's a lot of news in the Apple-focused blogosphere this week, and picking the most interesting tidbits is quite a chore.

In any event, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) quietly upgraded its polycarbonate entry-level white MacBook, announced record profits and nixed the notion that Apple might introduce an "iPhone nano" anytime soon. Plus, the Apple TV "hobby" picked up some steam.

Long Live the Whitebook

When Apple announced its new unibody aluminum MacBook and MacBook Pro line in October, most everyone seemed to think the white old-school MacBook simply gave Apple a sub-US$1,000 notebook it could sell out and allow to fade away. Surprisingly, though, the company instead upgraded it. Apple added the Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics processor -- which is already in its more powerful siblings -- bumped the default RAM to 2 GB, and beefed up the frontside bus from 866 MHz to 1,066 MHz. The 2.1 GHz Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) core2duo processor slipped to 2.0 GHz, most likely so that the white MacBook shares the same guts as the low-end unibody version. Bluetooth also hopped to version 2.1.

Obviously, all the major Apple-focused blogs picked up on the news, but TheAppleBlog's Tom Reestman jumped into nitty-gritty: comparing the new white Macbook to the aluminum unibody MacBook.

"The bigger issue, to me, is discussing the relative 'worth' of the $1,299 unibody MacBook in comparison to the updated white model," he wrote.

The white MacBook's RAM is slightly slower -- DDR2 vs the newer DDRM -- and the LED-backlit screen on the unibody gives it a usage edge. Reestman noted that the MacBook unibody screen is much richer and brighter than the white MacBook screen -- but not as good as the MacBook Pro's screen.

"I was really astonished to learn that the entry level White MB had got the new videocard, but still remained at the low price. This is very tempting, but also tempted to save for the unibody one. Trouble is ... once I start that path, I can easily see that I'll be tempted to up-sell again for the larger hard disk and the backlit keyboard! Sigh ..." commented Michael Cheung.

Still, unibody MacBook users seem reluctant to recommend the polycarbonate option.

"The biggest difference is the trackpad. My girlfriend has the white MB and I have the new unibody. The trackpad on the white MB is not smooth and feels tiny when compared to the aluminum. Plus all the gestures on the aluminum are amazing. It frustrates me when I can't do them on the white one," commented David.

Placeholder for a Netbook?

Apple's white MacBook just invites speculation. Perhaps Apple is just trying to keep a lower-cost portable option available in the market as the consumer economy falters. Or maybe there's more to it.

"It seems interesting that Apple is keeping the white MacBook around so long. The MBP 17-inch is now replaced, and maybe the white will be soon, too; however, the white may be just place-holder for the netbook that Apple says it's 'watching' now," Sven Rafferty, founder of hyperSven and SvenOnTech blogger, told MacNewsWorld.

"I do think the upgrade is a better value at $999. I wish Apple would just have a loss-leader like every other company and eat the $100 price slash and have a true sub-$900 notebook. But again, it may be gone soon anyway," he added.

Apple's Stellar Financial Results

The company in Cupertino reported a record $1.61 billion in profit for its most recently finished financial quarter, on top of record revenue of $10.17 billion, which compares to $9.6 billion in revenue and $1.58 billion in profit from the year-ago quarter. Mac shipments came in at 2.524 million -- a tidy 9 percent growth. As for stagnation in iPods? Hardly: Apple sold 22.727 million, a company record (though growth was just 3 percent). And the iPhone? 4.463 million sold for the quarter, up 88 percent.

Even more interesting is the question and answer session following Apple's official report. In the call, COO Tim Cook noted, "We're not going to play in the low-end voice phone business. That's not who we are, that's not why we're here. Goal is not to lead unit sales, but to build the world's best phone."

While many analysts have been expecting Apple to introduce an entry-level iPhone, that just hasn't happened -- even with Wal Mart(NYSE: WMT) coming on board to sell iPhones.

As for possible users, what if Apple did deliver a low-cost iPhone?

"I really don't think a low-end iPhone would be useful. I love the iPhone for its connectivity (internet, mail, apps) and I feel that a basic iPhone would be very basic, unable to do some of the great things that the iPhone can. So I agree with Apple for this move, or lack there of," commented Jonny Ques on the MacRumors.com post on the subject.

"All the people that were waiting for the iphone nano are going to be so disappointed," added jmann4489.

Of course, then there's a whole 'nother direction: "Bring on the iPhone Pro already!" added =MuLti-CeLL=.

Maintaining the Brand

While Apple's next move is anybody's guess, an iPhone nano is looking more and more like wishful thinking.

"Tim Cook said Apple doesn't want to be the shipment leader, Apple wants to be the maker of the best phone out there -- and I think that speaks to Apple maintaining the iPhone brand and maintaining the value, and a huge part of that value is the size and resolution of the screen," Chris Hazelton, research director of Mobile and Wireless for The 451 Group, told MacNewsWorld.

"There are going to major reductions in the size of components in the next iPhone, but I don't think that will equate to a smaller screen," he added, noting that he would expect to see the extra space used for more storage and a bigger, longer-lasting battery.

"Do I see Apple releasing an iPhone nano? I don't see that," Hazelton said.

From a developer standpoint, much of Apple's success and future success can be attributed to the widely successful App Store and the developers who extend the value of the iPhone via software.

"Having the large touch screen gives them the ability to build a custom user interface for their applications," Hazelton noted. A smaller screen would limit their abilities, and may do little to create awe-inspiring app value.

Long Live the Apple TV?

"Purportedly left for dead and mocked by pundits," the Apple TV has turned into a productive hobby for Apple that will see continued development in the future, AppleInsider reported.

During an Apple financial conference call, Cook noted that Apple TV sales were up more than 3 times over the year-ago figures, according to AppleInsider. However, he maintained the company still considers it a "hobby."

Hobby or not, the Apple TV is popular among its owners -- some of which indubitably wish it would do more, like let them surf the Web or view non-Apple video streams.

"Frankly, it'll continue to be a hobby till they improve the software and take on board what their customers (and more importantly, potential customers) want. For example, I want to be able to watch things I download from the internet (not via iTunes). I also want to be able to watch the BBC iPlayer (a UK specific hulu-like service from the BBC). Neither of those two things are possible with Apple TV, but both are possible with a number of competitors (e.g. Boxee). So, I'll probably buy a Mac Mini instead, and do it that way (if they ever update it) ... They're really missing so many opportunities here," commented eAi on the AppleInsider post.

"The Apple TV needs to stop masquarading around as a computer imitating a CE device. Apple should slap an ARM (Nasdaq: ARMHY) proc, better video decode and open it up to Hulu and Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) amongst others. I know this sounds crazy. Why would you let your competitors hitch a ride? Because once you get people comfortable with the idea of streaming content it means they become hungry and iTunes would still be the premiere service," added hmurchison.

"I like my AppleTV just fine. It's nice, but it could be awesome! If they could make it work with a wireless keyboard/mouse, it could be what WebTV should have been. WebTV is the coolest idea that has had the most disappointing execution -- no wonder Microsoft(Nasdaq: MSFT) bought it," commented macFanDave.

NasserAE, however, was ready to toss a dose of reality onto the wishful thinking: "I don't know why some people are obsessed in considering AppleTV a failure! It is the best product in its class. The problem is not AppleTV, the problem is with ISP limitations in regard to bandwidth, speeds, and availability. Until this problem is solved we will never see AppleTV or any other similar product takes off no matter how good or cheap it is."

Sony Positions Featherweight Vaio P as Full-Featured Notebook

You say "mini-notebook," I say "netbook," and Sony's still going with "UMPC." Whatever you call them, pint-sized personal computers like Sony's newest Vaio are not only smaller, but also lighter, thinner, faster and more loaded with features and functionality.

Sony (NYSE: SNE) introduced its latest entrant to the ultra mobile PC (UMPC) class of computers on Wednesday at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas. Billed as the world's lightest 8-inch notebook, the Vaio P Series Lifestyle PC is roughly the size of a business envelope and about as thin as a cell phone. However, unlike most systems in the UMPC category, Sony said the Vaio P is not a netbook PC.

"We don't call the category 'netbooks.' I would call it a 'mini-notebook' because it looks and functions like a notebook," said Bob O'Donnell, an analyst at IDC.

Is That a PC in Your Pocket?

The Vaio P weighs a scant 1.4 pounds and is small enough to fit in a handbag or jacket pocket while offering users the same features they would find in a full-sized notebook or desktop PC.

It includes a 1600x768, LED backlit 8-inch ultra-wide display that incorporates Sony's Xbrite-Eco LCD technology . The system also features built-in wireless WAN 3G Mobile Broadband, 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth technologies, which lets users adjust their wireless options to suit their location. They can opt for WiFi while at a local coffee shop or other hotspot, choose Bluetooth to connect with peripherals, or subscribe to and use mobile broadband service via the Verizon Wireless network for trips beyond the scope of a hotspot.

Sony has also added a few smartphone-esque type features to the Viao P. In addition to a webcam that can be used for video chats, the mini-notebooks include real-time GPS functionality that allows users to search for local sites such as restaurants or hotels, and get turn-by-turn directions for specific destinations. The GPS also includes drive times, and in the U.S. and Canada will function without an Internet connection .

A mini, ultraportable machine needs to be highly responsive. Mindful of that fact, Sony equipped the Vaio P with an instant-mode option that launches its XrossMediaBar interface for rapid boot-ups and fast access to music, video, photos and the Internet.

The notebook runs the Windows Vista operating system , supporting office applications and all the software programs typically found on a full-sized machine. To accommodate fingers of all sizes and prevent typing mistakes, the keyboard of the Viao P is engineered to give users the feel of larger notebook. The keyboard extends to the perimeters of the chassis, and spacing between the keys makes it suitable for long fingers, according to Sony.

"You can run anything on it," said O'Donnell.

The UMPC has up to four hours of battery life with the standard battery and up to eight hours with a larger capacity battery that is sold separately.

The Vaio P will sell for around US$900 and can be preordered starting Wednesday. It will hit store shelves in February.

More Than a Netbook

"It is certainly an interesting device," IDC's O'Donnell told TechNewsWorld. "The form factor is good; however, the price is a problem. This is another example of the hyper-specialization of notebooks. We're seeing everything from different colors to a variety of form factors. You're seeing [mini-notebooks] in a whole bunch of styles and types."

The new netbooks and UMPCs that hardware makers have begun rolling out have serendipitously hit the market just when consumers are likely to want alternatives to more expensive full-sized machines.

"There's clearly interest in lower-cost devices," said O'Donnell, "and for Sony, $900 is lower-cost. The other thing is, we're seeing more and more people getting used to having multiple notebooks. They have multiple TVs and PCs. [The Vaio P is] clearly a companion device, and Sony is making moves in a direction that will let people purchase another device."

Lenovo Bites the Bullet, Cuts Jobs and Executive Pay

A combination of economic pressure and market unpopularity is taking its toll on computer maker Lenovo. The company, which bought IBM's personal computing division in 2005, is cutting jobs, reducing executive salaries and consolidating some divisions in an effort to reduce costs.

Chinese PC maker Lenovo will cut 2,500 jobs, or about 11 percent of its workforce, during the first quarter, the company said Wednesday.

The cuts will include management and executive positions. In addition, Lenovo will cut executive compensation by 30 percent to 50 percent, and trim bonuses.

Lenovo will also consolidate its China and Asia Pacific operations, which are currently run as separate business units, into a single business unit -- Asia Pacific and Russia, or APR.

APR will be run by Chen Shaopeng, currently a senior vice president at Lenovo and president of its Greater China unit. An apparent casualty of the restructuring, SVP David Miller, current president of the company's Asia Pacific unit, will stay on through the transition period before leaving Lenovo.

Call Center Move

Lenovo will move its main call center operations from Toronto to Morrisville, N.C., the company's main site in North America. Yet another executive loss due to the restructuring is Scott DiValerio, senior vice president of the Americas Group sales organization.

Lenovo expects to save US$300 million as a result of the restructuring in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, and take a $150 million restructuring charge in the fourth fiscal quarter.

Lenovo's stock was hammered by the announcements, plummeting nearly 26 percent to $1.91 per share in mid-day trading Thursday in Hong Kong.

Recession Strikes Again

Like many companies in the technology sector, Lenovo's decision to slash employees is a response to the global recession, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group .

"You're going to see this behavior across the entire segment," Enderle told the E-Commerce Times. "Companies are going to try and stay ahead of the curve and bring costs in line with revenues."

However, Lenovo's decision to cut executive compensation is unusual, he said.

"The CEO is sharing the pain," Enderle said. "A 30 percent to 50 percent salary decrease is almost unheard of. I think the company can be credited for engaging in something that is a much better practice than what we've seen in the past."

The falloff in spending by banks and other financial institutions has hit Lenovo and other PC makers hard, he said.

Can't Crack Consumer Market

Lenovo's troubles are exacerbated by its inability to establish a foothold in the consumer market overseas and in the U.S., said Gartner (NYSE: IT) analyst Mikako Kitigawa.

The company bought into the U.S. market when it acquired IBM's (NYSE: IBM) struggling PC and laptop business for $1.25 billion in 2005. Big Blue's PC business and brand has resonated strongly with corporate customers for years, but its appeal to consumers waned long before Lenovo bought the unit.

"[Lenovo] tried to use its position as a major sponsor of the Beijing Olympics to establish some kind of brand name in the U.S. and other mature markets, but it wasn't really successful," Kitigawa told the E-Commerce Times.

At the same time, the consumer side of the business in the U.S. has come under severe price pressure from low-cost PCs like netbooks, she said.

"Systems that would usually sell for $699 have to go down to $599," Kitigawa noted. "There are already too many PC brands at the retail stores. At this point, I don't know if it's a good idea for Lenovo to stay in the consumer market because the profit margins are extremely thin."

Recovery May Come Later in 2009

Lenovo isn't the only PC maker struggling with the downturn in corporate and consumer demand for its products. HP(NYSE: HPQ) , IBM, DellNasdaq: DELL) and even Apple(Nasdaq: AAPL) are all trading well below their 52-week highs due to weakness in the PC business.

"We saw a significant decline in Q3 [PC sales] and we're expecting to see even worse numbers in Q4," Kitigawa said.

However, the sector could begin to recover some time in the second half of 2009 with the advent of President-elect Barack Obama's planned economic stimulus package. Part of that package calls for an increase in new and better PCs in public schools, as well as an upgrade of IT infrastructure in the federal government, Enderle said.