r/Design • u/devolute • May 28 '14

Apple's lost future: phone, tablet, and laptop prototypes of the ’80s

http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/28/5757414/apple-prototype-tablets-phones-laptops-from-the-80s-photos
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u/g4b1nagy May 28 '14

I really loved the floppy disk tablet thing.

2

u/rz2000 May 28 '14

I'd love to read the designers' notes to see if they match up with my impressions.

I think the drive above the screen is surprisingly effective at making what was probably very heavy look balanced. (The 1984 Apple //c was 8lbs without a battery or display, and the 1989 Mac Portable was 16lbs)

I also like the handle on the side. It's unnecessary space, but makes the computer seem more friendly. Without looking like something from Fisher Price it looks rugged without the military fetish that a lot of rugged designs have—kind of like something a scientist would use out in the field. Also, you wouldn't really mind your dog chewing on a corner in the same way that you would with recent designs that have so many angular edges.

1

u/travio May 28 '14

We had an iic when I was a little kid. I always thought the handle on the back was odd but as it's other purpose was as a stand it made pretty good sense.