[ken]

> Laptops are similar because that's really the only way to make them work. A keyboard over the monitor isn't usable: your arms would block your view. This is just silly.

With tablets like the iPad, the monitor is the keyboard, and your arm does block your view. Maybe it is 'silly' but a whole lot of people buy and use them.

There's been lots of other laptop designs, and they seemed much less silly to me than tablets. Compaq used to put the trackball on the right side of the case (even lefties I know mouse right-handed). HP made a laptop with a little pop-out mouse, which didn't even require a surface to place it on. IBM made a keyboard wider than the case, which unfolded when the lid was opened.

Everyone I know who tried or owned these laptops loved them. Why did they die out?

[Izkata]

We were actually talking about something else in the office today that seems similar: Apparently around 2009-2011, several companies were coming out with dual-monitor laptops that folded out when open... Which then died out and disappeared.

[jsgo]

Are we talking like Razer's concept from a couple years ago at one of the tech shows (CES? I don't remember, honestly) or something like Acer's Iconia dual screen tablet/notebook?

[jazzyjackson]

I had the Thinkpad W700 with the pop out side screen, not to mention the wacom tablet built into the right of the touchpad. It was a great parlor trick, and genuinely useful for running a terminal or a music player to the side of your main workspace.

[0] https://www.engadget.com/2009/01/26/lenovo-w700ds-laptop-rev...

[gfosco]

Microsoft also had a foldable dual-screen design in the works called Courier. Apparently they're trying to revive it: https://m.windowscentral.com/microsoft-bring-back-courier-20...

[Izkata]

Acer Iconia was actually one of the models we found online, I don't know what Razer concept you're referring to.

[jsgo]

Just had to look it up: https://www.razer.com/project-valerie

They demoed it and apparently the unit they demoed was stolen when they were leaving the show.

Not going to lie, I’d love an Acer Iconia style portable at this point. Wouldn’t use it for desktop publishing or probably anything with heavy typing, but just seems like a fun form factor.