The Computer of the Future
Andrew W. Hill - 2001.11.21
My Turn is Low End Mac's column for reader-submitted articles. It's your turn to share your thoughts on all things Mac (or iPhone, iPod, etc.) and write for the Mac web. Email your submission to Dan Knight .
This isn't a prediction. This is another one of those articles where I talk about my perfect future. As its written now, I have no hope of being accurate, nor do I care to.
My computer of the future will not be much faster than today's computers. After all, we're starting to get to the point where a home user can do pretty much everything they want to do with today's speeds. What it will have is additional equipment and a better design. It won't be about how fast it is, but what you can do with it.
The entire computer will be roughly the same size as an LCD monitor. The main feature will be the screen. You will buy them in sizes from 9" to 36". There will be no cooling fans at all.
The computer will be split into two completely separate halves: the processor module and the display module. They will be connected at the bottom of the display by a 360° hinge. They will be connected such that only the careful observer would note that they were completely separate parts. In standard use the processor module will be behind the display module. However, the smaller (sub-20") models will be able to have the back swing forward and under the display module to function as a laptop or portable.
The hard disk will have an enormous capacity and will be almost unbreakable, possibly using solid state technology - enough for several years worth of constant MP3s or movies. It will also have several gigabytes of unupgradable RAM.
They will have as standard two optical drives. Cheaper models might have one CD-RW and one CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, whereas the higher models may have two DVD-R SuperDrives. This way, when one CD or DVD is done, the other can automatically start up without any delay. The computer will also have a TV tuner in case the owner feels like watching a new set of advertisements.
The keyboard and mouse would be connected to the computer by radio waves. Trackballs and keyboards with integrated mice will become popular for owners of 36" computers who want to work on a couch.
There will be only one means of expanding the computer, and that will be by a high speed, daisy-chainable FireWire-type slot. Some computers will have more than others. External devices will go from video cameras to CD stackers to scanners to third party disks. Almost any home appliance can be connected to this, even the heaters, dishwashers, and pool filter pumps. The only other external ports will be a high-speed network port and a dialup port.
Such a computer would use very little energy and would replace some entertainment appliances, such as televisions and stereo systems. They will cost around $400 and will truly be the digital hubs of a household.
As for the operating system? That's anyone's guess.
Andrew W. Hill (a.k.a. Aqua) has been using Macintosh computers since 1987 and maintains that the Mac SE is the perfect Macintosh, superior to all - including the Color Classic. He is on the verge of being evicted from the family home due to its infestation of Macs (last count: about 50). Andrew is attempting to pay his way through college at UC Santa Cruz with freelance web design and Mac tech support.
Share your perspective on the Mac by emailing with "My Turn" as your subject.
Join us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
Recent My Turn articles
- Back to Mac OS 9 Because It's All I Need, 2011.01.26. Sebastian Patting sold his Intel Macs and went back to PowerPC Macs and Mac OS 9. Here's why.
- Using Low End Macs for Internet Radio, 2008.08.18. When the local public radio station moved classical music to HD radio, it was time to find another way to listen. An old iMac with iTunes solved the problem.
- 'That's Not a Computer', 2008.07.30. Salvaging a broken PowerBook by turning it into a desktop computer.
- More in the My Turn index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: Mac IIfx, introduced 1990.03.19. This 'wicked fast' 40 MHz Mac trumped the 33 MHz DOS world.
- February 14 in LEM history: 98: A perfect compact Mac - 00: Extended computer warranties worth the cost? - Making your PC work with your Mac - 01: Customize Microsoft Word - 02: Quadra revives a passion for computing - 03: Real world performance - DIY Pismo screen replacement - Best Mac for writing - 03: Fastest browser on the Mac - 06: 15" MacBook Pro - Impressions of a newly acquired Lisa - Finding and using free WiFi - Apple should liberate OS 9 - 07: New Mac mini cheaper than upgrading a Power Mac - 08: Falling in love with OS X
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Fix Home Button Delay, Tablet the Ultimate Mobile PC, iPad Notebook a Possibility, and More, iOS News Review, 2012.02.10. Also using your iPad at work, two photo editors, a new iPad text editor, Macally's magnetic iPad 2 stand, and more.
- White MacBook Goes End-of-Life, Logitech Touch Mouse Supports Gestures, Firmware Updates, and More, The 'Book Review, 2012.02.10. Also MacBook Air better than any Ultrabook, docks for MacBook Pro models, Intel offers improved SSDs, and more.
- Mac and iOS Browsers: Options Galore, Freeware Forum, 2012.02.10. Safari is adequate on Mac and great on iOS, but the range of good alternatives is stunning. LEM writers share their favorites.
- Apple's Support Lead Shipping, Smartphones Outsell PCs, OS X Ported to ARM by Intern, and More, Mac News Review, 2012.02.10. Also the power of Tex-Edit Plus, Google and Twitter are already censoring the Web, Snow Leopard Security Update, and more.
- LogMeIn: Remote Screen Sharing for the Rest of Us, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2012.02.09. Configuring the Mac's built-in screen sharing to work over the Internet can be difficult or impossible. LogMeIn makes it easy.
- 15 Years Ago Motorola Unveiled the PowerPC G3, Low End Mac Round Table, 2012.02.06. The G3 processor was optimized for real world Mac software and made a big leap forward in efficiency.
- Don't Kill Caps Lock, Learning to Love the iOS Keyboard, and an Adaptive iPad Keyboard, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2012.02.06. The Caps Lock key has a useful function, the iPad's keyboard really is useful, and checking out an adaptive keyboard for the iPad.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best 17" MacBook Pro Deals
- Best iPod classic Deals
- Best eMac Deals
- Best MacBook Air Deals
- Best iBook G4 Deals
- Best iPad Deals
- Best Classic Mac OS Deals
- Best Apple TV Deals
- More deals in our archive.
About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact
Follow
Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac
on Facebook
Low End Mac Reader Specials
TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct
from Strider Software.
Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.
Favorite Sites
MacSurfer
Cult of Mac
Shrine of Apple
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac Museum
DealMac
Deal Brothers
Mac2Sell
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System 6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End Mac FAQ
Affiliates
Amazon.com
The Apple Store
The iTunes Store
PC Connection Express
GainSaver
Parallels Desktop for Mac
eBay

