Those of you who know that I’m a vehement defender of the traditional laptop. Why? They’re fundamentally functional and comfortable to use. I liken it to the evolution of car design; while they’ve evolved in shape, technology and aesthetics, they still have the same basic “4 wheels and a steering wheel” design that they did 100 years ago. Laptops are the same way. They’ve gotten thinner, lighter and faster, and filled with new tech, but the concept remains basically the same.
That’s why when I run across something that’s truly groundbreaking, something totally unique and never seen before, I get excited. Like really, really excited. And that’s exactly how I felt when I first got to use the GScreenCorp SpaceBook.
The SpaceBook is unlike any laptop before it. Rather than have a single display, it has two that slide out from the center to create and amazing panorama display. Both panels are 17” full HD (1920 x 1080) glass, available in either a glossy or matte finish. It’s a really amazing design that’s really functional; the panels slide open and closed very easily, and with some thoughtful design (the battery is in the front, not the back) the PC is remarkably stable when open. You’d think that it would tip over due to the weight of the glass, but it doesn’t. Even though the model I saw was a prototype, construction was solid and the PC felt great to use. I can only assume that the final for-sale model will be even better.
Why build such a beast? I asked Gordon Stewart, GScreenCorp’s CEO and the father of the SpaceBook, that exact question. His answer was remarkably simple. “A few years ago I was working on a film project in Hawai’i and realized that I was going to have to move my entire desktop setup down there from my home in Anchorage to get the computing power and screen real-estate I needed. That hassle made me realize that I couldn’t be the only one who needed a powerful laptop with massive screen size, so I set out to build one”.
And so, the SpaceBook was born – a huge, specialized PC that Gordon says the visual arts community (as well as several other specialized industries) are chomping at the bit to get. Fortunately for them – and you – the wait is over. Pre-orders for the SpaceBook started last night! There are two models available; an Intel i5 + 4GB RAM model for $2395 2295 ($300 off the MSRP) and an i7 + 8GB RAM model for 3795 $2595 (also $300 off MSRP). Get one from the initial run at www.gscreenlaptop.com.
Ok, now this is very cool! I don't NEED it but it would be cool to have. Although, I'm thinking I wouldn't want to carry it around very often.
When I initially saw the image for this spacebook, I thought to myself "This is absurd. No one would buy this."
But after reading the review, and realizing the high specs, and extra screen real estate, I retracted my comment.
The computer would be superb for Editing films on the go. Great processing power, awesome screen real estate. Throw in Adobe after effects or Sony Vegas pro and you have a "top of the line consumer video editing machine."
Although the device does look kind of ugly (and almost like an alien), I agree with the designer, it is a great visual art computer.
Two screens on a laptop is certainly great. I bought an Onkyo DX for college, and it was certainly awesome to have. Portable, yet, I have slightly more pixels than a 1920x1080 screen (two 1366x768 screens). It's one of the best things a web developer could ever have in his arsenal. Best of all, they don't need any special software for it to work, as Windows sees the other screen as an external monitor.
I am curious to know what other ports are on the back of this laptop. Could I connect a VGA cable and run a projector? Would the projector be considered as an additional extended screen?
This is a very tempting device. Besides visual art use as mentioned by others, I can certainly use it as a great software documentation device. I always try to use dual screens at home/office and dual laptops when I travel, and SpaceBook could cut the number of laptops I carry
Seems a bit over the top. I suppose I don't understand the application for having something portable with two screens, as I'm sure the second screen destroys any hope of battery life, and having a second external monitor may be a ton cheaper. I'm just not sure the "portability" of this really outweighs what I would assume to be a hefty price. This may just be me, but real work is typically done in an office, or at least somewhere where portability isn't the main concern.
@adesio: It was designed originally for video production pros, many of whom work on location away from the office. This is a great way to get the screen real estate you need without hauling your desktop around.