[Arm-netbook] 15in EOMA-68 laptop

[Benson Mitchell]

On Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 6:58 AM, luke.leighton <luke.leighton at gmail.com> wrote:
> http://rhombus-tech.net/community_ideas/laptop/layout_isometric.png
> http://rhombus-tech.net/community_ideas/laptop/layout_plan_view.png
>
> ok - with this design concept, where the EOMA-68 card is at the back
> and is inserted left-right into a location that is approx 10 to 12mm
> high when the rest of the laptop is only approx 6mm thick, can anyone
> see a reason why this should result in a laptop with a thickness of
> greater than 12mm at its highest point?
Looks good to me -- with one possible, minor issue.

One of the less-obvious issue in laptop design is weight distribution
-- too much weight in the lid relative to base, or weight in the base
too far back, leads to a laptop that easily flips over when the screen
is more than 90deg. open, especially if the laptop is being used on
top of one's lap, where it may be tipped downhill.

Note that this failure mode is worst for laptops with ports in the
back -- with connectors on the sides, tipping over is just an
inconvenience, but here if it tips back, the weight rests on the
connected cables, potentially damaging the connectors.

In normal laptops, this pretty much takes care of itself, because HDD,
optical drive, etc. all weigh down the base; it only becomes an issue
with netbooks and such.

Putting batteries forward is very good from this perspective, but with
essentially the same lid weight as a regular 15" laptop, the base much
lighter because drives and such, _and_ the display mounted farther
from the hinges, thus generating more tipping moment, I'm concerned
this _may_ be at risk of excessive tippyness. Needs some numbers run,
and compared to existing netbooks, but I don't think we're really at a
point to check this, so just to keep it in mind.

If this _does_ turn out to be an issue, a couple solutions come to mind:

1. Make it like a GRiD Compass, with the thick bit for  EOMA-68 &
various ports _behind_ the hinges.
Advantages: unusual styling choice (I think it's cool!), can be even
more stable than regular laptop, easier access to EOMA-68 face ports.
Disadvantages: unusual styling choice (some will think ugly), limits
total screen opening.

2. Add more battery, at the cost of making it a little thicker.
Advantages: More battery life!
Disadvantages: Thicker, heavier.

Benson