Crossover tech-heads will rejoice when they hear about this one. In addition to their BMW coffee maker, their 80-inch Corvette LED TV, and their Mercedes-Benz umbrella, they can now add a Porsche laptop computer to their collection. Really.
The German automaker’s offshoot design company, Porsche Design, has been working with Microsoft, Intel, and Quanta Computer to put out its first computer, a laptop that is very Apple-esque. Who could turn down a laptop that has a hinge design inspired by a Porsche transmission?
The Porsche Design Book One is like the offspring of a MacBook Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro. With a sleek, matte, milled aluminum housing and fast specs — an Intel i7 3.5GHz processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD — this machine should let you run all the Adobe products you need in the field without too much fuss. The 5 MP front-facing camera can even use biometrics to login. I wish it could have more RAM, but 16 GB should be sufficient for most tasks. The 13.3-inch high-resolution screen is good, but I’m surprised they didn’t go middle-of-the-road and make a 15 inch version.
I’ve been a Mac user since 2005 and haven’t looked back. If this thing could run OS X instead of just Windows 10 Pro, it would probably be my next laptop. But, I’ll give credit where it’s due. I appreciate that instead of switching to only USB-C ports like in the new MacBook Pro, this computer takes it more slowly, giving two USB-C ports, but also two USB 3.0 ports and one USB 3.1 Type-C/Thunderbolt 3 port. That makes for an easier transition to the new tech and wouldn’t force me to buy all new peripherals or always be using/losing/finding adapters. It also boasts a 14 hour battery life on a less than two hour charge.
The options for input are also great. I wish my MacBook Pro had a touch display and detachable keyboard, as well as a built-in Wacom stylus, though I bet if Apple had designed it, the stylus wouldn’t just be sticking onto the side of the laptop with a magnet. The tablet functionality is something that Apple has deemed only important to the iPad, but I wish I could have both in one machine.
When it's available in April at $2,495, it won’t be cheap, but a maxed out MBP would be that much anyway. Now, to find a way to “hackintosh” it…
P.S., The Mercedes umbrella actually exists.
Check out the full press release website for more information.
[via DPReview]
I actually read this to find out more about the BMW coffee maker... ;-) link?
If Asus built a car, i wouldn't buy it. Just sayin'.
I love everything about this, even the price seems quite good - except that the processor is only dual-core, and that's the reason why I won't buy a Surface Book Pro either.