Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/04/apple_docking_station_patent/
The latest Apple patent filing to excite the Mac masses shows the manufacturer's iMac recast as a docking station for a MacBook laptop.
Apple's been here before, of course, with its Duo range of PowerBooks (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/08/11/forgotten_tech_apple_pb_duo/), launched in 1992. Unlike standard PowerBooks, the Duos were designed to dock into a Mac-like desktop unit that improved the unit's monitor support and audio output, and added a floppy drive.
Apple's mooted dock: made for the Flash-based MacBook?
This time round, however, the docking station described in US patent application (http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220080002350%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20080002350&RS=DN/20080002350) number 20080002350 incorporates a flat-panel display. The unit looks like an iMac, but with a big slot in the side to take the notebook.
The rear of the docking station shows a full array of ports, while the side panel with the docking slot shows a dedicated docking port. With the portable in place, its side-facing optical drive is exposed to allow the user to slot in DVDs and the like.
That probably means it's not being developed specifically for the much-rumoured Flash-based ultra-portable MacBook (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/03/09/apple_subnotebook_claims/), which is widely being tipped to be unveiled at the Macworld Expo show in San Francisco on 15 January.
The slimline laptop is claimed to lack a built-in optical drive, the better to reduce its thickness and weight.
That said, optical drives are pretty skinny these days, and if the sub-notebook does, as has been suggested, sport a 13in widescreen display, there'd certainly be room for an optical drive in the casing.
Apple patents reveal Apple TV DVR plan? (13 March 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/03/13/apple_patents_reveal_pvr_plan/
Hercules beefs up outdoor iPod dock (28 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/28/hercules_xps_120_outdoor/
Celeb spills beans on new Apple notebook (28 December 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/28/celeb_spills_beans_on_new_apple_notebook/
Alleged Apple ultra-thin MacBook rumour restoked (11 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/11/apple_skinny_lappy/
Apple 'revises' sub-notebook Mac release date (30 April 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/04/30/apple_subnotebook_mac_delay_claim/
Apple 'MacBook Mini' to lose HDD, gain Flash? (9 March 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/03/09/apple_subnotebook_claims/
Apple's other Duo-branded laptop (11 August 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/08/11/forgotten_tech_apple_pb_duo/