

Now that everyone from Barnes & Noble to (allegedly) Apple has looked to the tablet to save the newspaper business, next-gen design concepts like the Rolltop were just a matter of time. Created by Orkin Design, the concept device would roll up just like a traditional newspaper, but when unfurled would offer a touchscreen OLED display.
This idea has been out there for a while, but the cool twist here is the fact that it would serve as both a 13-inch laptop and a 17-inch dedicated computer display. The unit would also come with a detachable hub with a power adapter, a stylus, and a couple of USB ports. You can see video of the Rolltop in action here.
Via Ubergizmo
By wdwyer at 7:23 AM ON 11/02/09
Sorry all I see is some 3D representation of this device. In other words there is no working model yet. On top of that the comments on the link seem WAY too eager to see this in action. While myself, can't wait to see the "uber-price". Mark my words, this will never catch on, unless you can sell these for what current laptops sell for. Not to mention, this is a concept version of a laptop. I don't see anything that it can do, that a current laptop can't. OK, it rolls up. Current laptops come in all different sizes. This comes with it's own power supply. Current Laptops do as well. You can use this as a tablet. Current laptops can too. etc, etc.
Plus i don't see how this is going to save the newspapers. There is already technology like Kindle and online services that give the news better and more up to date than paper. That is what is killing newspapers. The fact that their news is a day behind. This will be no different. Newspapers are dead, and nothing will save them. And all this is, is a concept version of a laptop. Unless it can deliver something a current laptop can't other than a gimmick rollup, it will never fly, and we'll never see it.
By Korben at 6:27 PM ON 11/02/09
I remember seeing this a while back. It looked cool. wdwyer, I agree that this won't save the newspaper. They said the roll-up e-ink page was supposed to do that. But I disagree with you one comment that has been said in various forms throughout computer history, "Mark my words, this will never catch on". Seriously? They said that about the internet, email, cellphones, tablets, PDAs, etc. You should know better to make such a statement. The people like the oddest things.
By Drixoral at 4:20 PM ON 11/03/09
If they go for a laptop feature set then it doesn't save much in the way of space or power, and thus probably won't sell well.
However, it they use it as a delivery system for the news, they yes I can see this as the model for "future newspapers". E-ink has minimal power requirements, you could load it by plugging it into a PC via USB or possibly wifi (although wifi would add size and weight).
And if they kept the display flexible, it would have a "similar to newsprint" experience, which has value to many of the remaining newsprint readers.
By flash speicher at 7:20 AM ON 11/13/09
It looks very cool and well-designed laptop. It is appreciated. Fantastic laptop, Its battery life and well designed. It is expensive but providing many nice features so it is not worthless. I hope I can afford this Laptop.it can be quite useful for the future perspective. I am looking forward to read the review of it when launched.
Thanks.
By Cigar Reviews at 11:56 PM ON 11/16/09
I hate when cool things like this are way too expensive. If we can put a man on the moon we can make things that are really cool for a reasonable price. Seriously-- lower the price a bit and more people can afford them and you'll make more money! Genius!
Cigar Reviews:
I hate when cool things like this are way too expensive. If we can put a man on the moon we can make things that ar...More »