Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era • Hacker News Board

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#41

Post by thomascgalvin » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 5:36 PM UTC

mvip wrote: post #13

> Let’s Redesign the Laptop for a Work-from-Home Era Isn't that just called a desktop? ;)

I think there's an argument to be made for bulkier laptops now.

The trend of the last two decades has been smaller form factors, which puts a hard limit on the battery, the hard drive, the number of ports you can support, and even how much thermal energy you can radiate.

That was important largely because you were going to be lugging the thing around everywhere, and a pound or two could make a real difference.

Now that I travel with my laptop once a month, not once a day, I think that equation changes. I still want portability - I still need portability - but using the machine on my desk is the more common, more important scenario.

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#42

Post by freeone3000 » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 5:38 PM UTC

unethical_ban wrote: post #23

akulbe wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You beat me to it. I came here to say… this is a solved problem. It's called a "desktop machine". ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

What if, and hear me out on this, the person needs to take their workstation with them to multiple locations? Or, as can be the case with smaller quarters, simply wants to? Yes, desktops have this featureset. Why don't laptops, is the point of the article. (Answer: either laziness, arrogant design aesthetic, or NSA conspiracy)

Laptops, by necessity, have smaller fans, since they're smaller. Same amount of cooling with a smaller fan means the fans spin faster, and faster fans are louder. Laptops simply can't have acceptable performance with adequate cooling unless you're willing to compromise on either noise, or running x86.

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#43

Post by Agingcoder » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 5:42 PM UTC

I expected this to be about ergonomics, which laptops are anything but.

I have seen too many people working on laptops ans getting hurt (hands, back, shoulders, etc). I'd start with a foldable keyboard which expands into something big and comfortable (I have RSI!), and a detachable screen which can be set higher on the desk.

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#44

Post by adrianmonk » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 5:44 PM UTC

podiki wrote: post #7

I don't really understand the point of this article as "redesigning the laptop." Nearly all of the things they mention is either software (e.g. better processing of mic input) or called a desktop (screens, noise, etc.). If people are working from home that negates a big reason for the laptop: portability. Sure it is nice to move to the couch or kitchen or whatever, but maybe that could be having a keyboard and using…

> if you are working from home nearly all the time

No doubt the pandemic has had a permanent effect on how people work. But how big of an effect? When the pandemic no longer forces 100% WFH, will people still do 100%, or will they do (say) 90%?

If you go in to an office for an occasional day or half day, you'll want your computer while you're there. Though I guess this could also be solved by borrowing a loaner laptop at the office to use to remote desktop into your main computer at home. (Maybe we can call this reverse telecommuting?)

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#45

Post by unethical_ban » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 5:47 PM UTC

freeone3000 wrote: post #42

unethical_ban wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What if, and hear me out on this, the person needs to take their workstation with them to multiple locations? Or, as can be the case with smaller quarters, simply wants to? Yes, desktops have this featureset. Why don't laptops, is the point of the article. (Answer: either laziness, arrogant design aesthetic, or NSA conspiracy)

Laptops, by necessity, have smaller fans, since they're smaller. Same amount of cooling with a smaller fan means the fans spin faster, and faster fans are louder. Laptops simply can't have acceptable performance with adequate cooling unless you're willing to compromise on either noise, or running x86.

My macbook does just fine as a zoom terminal, VSCode runner and web browser. Battery can go almost the entire day if I'm not on calls. All code is developed locally and run through pipelines in the cloud.

Many people don't need a workhorse machine, simply a portal for communication and reading.

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#46

Post by atoav » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 5:50 PM UTC

dv_dt wrote: post #35

deadmutex wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know how a mechanical microphone switch would have helped in that case. That seemed to be a UX issue. The board was on a call with other members, and didn't realize that there was another participant. Some news stories just called it a "hot mic" issue because it is easy to glance and get an idea of what the story is about, but that's not exactly what happened.

An external microphone with a physical push to talk button would be a pretty perfect UX if that is your worry.

Although this might not be simple enough for typical users a (On)-Off-On toggle switch (momentary in one direction, latching in the other) would be perfect for this.

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#47

Post by cbm-vic-20 » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 5:50 PM UTC

dv_dt wrote: post #35

deadmutex wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know how a mechanical microphone switch would have helped in that case. That seemed to be a UX issue. The board was on a call with other members, and didn't realize that there was another participant. Some news stories just called it a "hot mic" issue because it is easy to glance and get an idea of what the story is about, but that's not exactly what happened.

An external microphone with a physical push to talk button would be a pretty perfect UX if that is your worry.

And trusting that the internal mic is actually off.

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#48

Post by tfandango » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 6:28 PM UTC

skrtskrt wrote: post #40

hc-taway wrote: post #3

1) physical kill switch for camera (as in, it breaks the power or data connection to it, physically) or at least a physical cover. 2) physical kill switch for the microphone These are very much not "nerd" concerns, either. I see a lot of non-techies with stickers over their laptop cameras. [EDIT] teachers in particular spread the "put a sticker over the camera" practice, in my experience, both before and during the p…

Lots of companies distribute their employees laptops with a little plastic slider to shutter the camera, so it's further than not-just-nerds - corporate IT decisionmakers are recognizing the need too.

In fact last year when it was okay to meet your benefits providers in person, one of them handed out plastic stick on webcam covers you could slide back and forth with their logo on it.

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#49

Post by roland35 » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 6:39 PM UTC

ghaff wrote: post #31

roland35 wrote: post #4

Most of the suggestions are taylored to video conferencing, such as a better camera and microphone. I have gotten around this personally by purchasing a separate external microphone and camera for a huge improvement. My main issue with my (intel 2019) MacBook Pro is the noise! Whenever I do heavy work it gets very hot and loud, and uses more power than my desktop PC. Driving a 4k monitor also contributes to the heat.…

It's also easier to get a good mic and webcam if you're not constrained by the thickness of a laptop screen. A lot of people would benefit from better lighting as well although some of that can be a function of their physical environment which can be hard to do something about.

Yes I should have added I bought a desk light which also helps the poor quality camera significantly!

Re: Let’s redesign the laptop for a work-from-home era

#50

Post by svachalek » Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 6:57 PM UTC

hombre_fatal wrote: post #36

podiki wrote: post #7

I don't really understand the point of this article as "redesigning the laptop." Nearly all of the things they mention is either software (e.g. better processing of mic input) or called a desktop (screens, noise, etc.). If people are working from home that negates a big reason for the laptop: portability. Sure it is nice to move to the couch or kitchen or whatever, but maybe that could be having a keyboard and using…

I’d be surprised if even most people agree with you that the best computer is a static one tethered to a desk, even if they never leave their home. Gamers aside. I built a desktop computer and never use it. Having to sit in the same desk just to use it is a nearly insurmountable drawback. It’s more of a niche appliance than we admit. I’d suspect most people with the option would need more than a better deal on compon…

The ergonomics of using a laptop 8 hours a day are pretty horrendous. It may be hard to notice in your 20s but it will wreck your body. Using a proper desk and desk chair, or sit/stand desk, will save a lot of wear and tear.