Is it really that weird to want a vibrating laptop? I’ve often wondered why there haven’t been any options as far as subtle notifications of a pending announcement or message on a laptop while the volume is muted. There are a number of situations where something as simple as a vibrating module situated directly under the palm rest would suffice. One such realistic situation:
You’re sitting in a meeting or lecture in which your attention is diverted towards the front of the room [while your palms are resting on your laptop]. An incoming message or email (which normally triggers a flashing window, ‘ping – you’ve got mail’ message, or something of the like) lands on your screen. Unfortunately, you’re eyes are fixated on the squirrel outside the window. Queue minor vibration from palm rest.
There are a few other examples in which a vibrating palm rest would be beneficial [especially for Windows users]:
You’re moseying along with your daily tasks in Windows when the dreaded BSOD or any of the other Windows error messages averts your eyes from that weird Britney Spears sculpture. Queue vibrations! Allow the motor to increase the frequency of vibrations in turn transforming your Window laptop into a dancing Pinata which just so happens to dance its way off the edge of your table. Beneficial right? Time to get a new MacBook Pro.
Returning to reality. I understand a vibrating internal motor in a laptop may not be the best idea (hardrive shakes), but I’m thinking subtle. Not force feedback, I’m playing Painkiller, please shake the dirt from my nails vibrations. Cellphones vibrate in our pocket(s), why don’t laptops vibrate in our hands?
