How would you change Apple's unibody MacBook / MacBook Pro?
By Darren Murph 
posted November 21st 2008 7:02PM
posted November 21st 2008 7:02PM
posted November 21st 2008 7:02PM
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
1. Remove HDCP
2. Put Firewire back in to the MacBook.
I'm enjoying a dual boot configuration right now. Its my first Mac. My worst gripe is the track pad. Yes the trackpad has"features" but wtf, double clicking has never been so hard and dragging is a nightmare. I'm very impressed with the looks, weight, and feel.
Clicking and dragging is easy once you know the trick; I had some troubles before I heard this.
You're probably using one finger and pressing hard until it clicks, and then dragging that finger around. Instead of that, just pretend the bottom 1/4 of the trackpad is a button, click and hold that with your thumb, and then use another finger to drag around the screen.
I've been pretty happy with it. Only a few (pretty minor) complaints:
1. There really ought to be at least a single USB port on the right side of the machine. Even thought I use the trackpad most of the time, I connect a mouse at my desk. It's annoying that 2/3 of the mouse cord is lost because it has to wrap around to the other side of the machine.
2. Clicking the trackpad anywhere but near the bottom 1/4 requires just a little too much effort.
3. Trackpad clicks are a little too loud. In a quiet setting it really stands out that it's much louder than a normal click.
4. This isn't new to this revision, but the one key I miss most from the full-size keyboard is a dedicated forward delete key. I dunno where I'd put it, but I'd love to have it. Maybe instead of the right-hand alt/option key, make that key configurable? I never use that key, and would love to assign it to be forward delete.
HEy wanna know somehting interesting:
Forward delete: Fn+Backspace
Pg up: Fn + Up Arrow
Pg dwn: Fn + Dwn Arrow
Home: Fn + Left Arrow
End: Fn + Right Arrow
I'm on the last MBP but i was really frustrated one day and i jsut was trying stuff and it worked but i think the home and end stuff might jsut work in word. I could try it as i'm typing right now but too much thought and effort (hehe)!
So you spend some more money on a new overpriced case from them.
Add a good high speed wired data connection, like Firewire 800 or at least a 400, or a e-sata port.
Back-lit keyboard on both MacBook models would have been nice. A slightly cheaper price point for the higher end model (the one I ended up purchasing in the end). Firewire is a non-issue for me personally. I love the trackpad, did not take long to get used too. Works great with the recent trackpad update. DisplayPort may have been a bit early to introduce, HDMI would be nice, but I'll live without it. Overall very happy with my 2.4Ghz MacBook. Considering I got 15% off ;).
Got the new 2.0 Alu MacBook and it has been treating me very well. Glass trackpad is the new wave. Often times can't decide whether to click the physical button or just tap tap tap away. All other trackpads are useless against the new one, so little space, so few gestures...the glasspad (if you will) and its 2, 3, & 4 fingured gestures are a synch to learn and use and I use them every day. Would have liked to bumped up to the 2.4 and get the backlit but couldn't justify a $300 bump for bigger HD and backlit. Got a $100 student discount on my 2.0 (only should have got $50...this was due to the idiots @ Best Buy not being with Apple's program...which was fine with me) so that was sweet.
I am on my 3rd Mac though. 1st one had the battery cover issue and some wicked slanted Function keys, 2nd one just had the slanted function keys and the 3rd one couldn't be better.
I give it a 95 out of 100! Nice work Apple!
One thing I would change is sacrificing one of the USB ports on the 13 inch Macbook for Firewire 800. Desktops need more than a couple USB ports since that's how mice and keyboards are typically connected to them, but on notebooks, those things are typically used over bluetooth when they are needed. Swapping the second USB port for a firewire port would increase the Macbook's usefulness.
Another thing I would change is that I'd make a back lit keyboard standard across all models.
I'd also give the Macbook the same panel used in the Macbook Air, since it's of higher quality and using the same part across the line would reduce costs.
Lastly, I'd offer a 15 inch Macbook model. It would have similar specs to the top end Macbook, except have the screen and ports as the Macbook Pro.
- A high end 13" MacBook with FireWire.
- Matte Screen. (If you say it's a non issue, speak for yourself. For me it's really an issue.) What about a matte glass surface? I'm sure it's possible.
- Rethink the black frame screen / aluminum body design. There's something that just doesn't quite match.
- Isn't it time for a Blu-Ray strategy?
- Include a DisplayPort to VGA/DVI adapter please. It's the least you can do.
The Mini DisplayPort has an adapter to DVI/VGA/Double-DVI
dummy
Lower price, matte screen, and no more sharp edges! Some other not so important ones though would be HDMI + Bluray.
Since nobody has talked about this, here goes...
I would like some of the bugs fixed! The Trackpad issue was a good start.
When using an external monitor, about 20% of the time the screen will either be A) completely black and you have to restart or B) TV-like snow filling the screen. Although Apple engineers are aware and a fix was promised (according to an Apple tech) it makes it frustrating to use.
Finally, the AirPort network has been much much less stable then my previous MacBook Pro. I drop connection a dozen or so times a day. This was NOT on Apple's to-do list!
All of these issues are reported by several people in the Apple discussion boards (which, coincidentally, Apple does NOT read).
I am quite certain that the drop in Airport connectins has nothing to do with the new MacBook and everything to do with the new Airport firmware update. That one was a complete disaster and I wish that I had not upgraded.
I would leave it exactly the way it is. And, may I make mention; Johnny Ives is a hottie! ;)
First: I own a MacBook Pro.
I would change...
- Easier to access RAM. Taking the entire bottom-plate sucks.
- SLI the video 9600M and the 9400M GPUs . They rock fine alone, but it together they'd rock harder.
- iMac-ish docking station.. that'd be sweet.
- Being able to use the entire track-pad as a button. The resistance when clicking higher on the pad is annoying.
- The DRM'd DisplayLink is stupid and embarrassing at all the wrong times.
- I am kinda hoping that in the future Apple with ditch firewire and DisplayLink and go all USB 3.0 for everything. Also, can we finally ditch CD? Why isnt everything a digital download. If you need to install it off a medium, give me a 8GB USB key to install the OS with.
- New 17in MacBook Pro!
wasnt that the point of the budle of cables and the new monitor to be used with the macbook? the monitor doubles as a usb hub.
more cowbell
haha YOUR FUNNY
Simple. Support for 8GB of RAM. I use mine for all my IT work and have a few VMs running 64bit Vista and Server 2008 for testing and development work. I would love to be able to allocate 4GB RAM to a VM.
i like my mbp !!!! nothing to say everything is great i like the glossy's screen the trackpad , no prob with the " S " well its a great laptop
replaced the mini display port and use a dvi instead...
You Sir, are an idiot.
docking station
So I have had my new MacBook Pro for a few weeks and overall I am very happy. Having been a previous MacBook Pro owner, I think there are some real improvements. Overall, the fit and finish is fantastic--the unibody construction really is that much better. I think the new trackpad, despite being annoyingly loud to click (always alerting professors to my not paying attention), is an improvement aesthetically and functionally. The new 4 finger multi-touch gestures are a great compliment to the new trackpad real estate. Also, though I haven't tested it yet, I am optimistic that the new GPUs + OpenCL is going to drastically increase the overall performance in snow leopard. On the performance front, while not really perceptibly faster than my old 2.4 MB Pro, this laptop definitely runs a solid 20 degrees cooler (processor temp) most of the time. And though it is a small touch, I really like the mag-latch as opposed to the old button latch. On the negative side, the glossy screen really is incredibly distracting. There are few places I can use it that I am not either staring at my own reflection, or squinting because of all the reflected light. Also, I am growing distraught at Apple's apparent lack of product testing. Here, a month after the new MacBooks came out, we have just now gotten a trackpad fix, a feature which should have NEVER left the plant without being 100% functional, and there are still widespread external monitor issues that require pulling out the adapter and reinserting it just to have video come up after the monitor sleeps. I switched to Macs a few years ago primarily because I wanted products that worked well out of the box. It seems that Mac hardware/software is slowly going the route of Windows hardware and software as accelerated schedules push beta products out the door for profits and not performance.
These laptops are pretty gorgeous. They're also pretty powerful machines. I do have a few gripes, however: I don't think they should have removed the Firewire port from the regular MacBook, but I understand they needed to create more of a distinction between the two lines or risk cannibalizing MacBook Pro sales. The inclusion of HDCP is annoying. Apple also should have included an option of a matte screen. I prefer the glossy screen on my old (2yrs) MacBook Pro, but a choice would be nice for a lot of people. I don't mind the absence of HDMI. It's limited to 1080p. Mini Display is a new VESA standard and it's much better. Hope someone makes an adapter, but I'd rather have the better port with an adapter.
Matte Screen. Let me repeat that. Matte Screen. When using it outside, it's so reflectively bright, I have to use the inverted color scheme to read clearly.
The touchpad on my MacBook has been a little wonky, and the display is, well ... crappier than the MBP. The price difference isn't significant enough to justify this, Apple. The touchpad is freaking LOUD. It should be no louder than a key press! And it shouldn't be so much harder to depress.
Other than that, get this DRM crap out of my DisplayPort, and we'll have the perfect machine.
Get rid if the ugly Black keys, add 3G, give back a normal video out option - NO MiniDisplay port, include a remote at least for that price. The glossy screen is NOT a problem, as I anticipated it would be; and I work in a bright windowed corner office. I actually like it.
3G is ATT not Apple. IF Apple was going to get into that game they should have just set up their own cell service department, with their own towers etc and dumped all deals with anyone. Imagine the fun if the only way to get an Iphone was to transfer your service to Apple Mobile Service. THEN Apple can just toss 3G into their laptops cause they want to.
Otherwise you go out and get a 3G card from whomever and have at it.
I decided to not buy the Unibody Macbook due to the lack of Firewire, the high price point of $1299, and the inclusion of HDCP displayport. I instruct and present at many locations where non-HDCP DVI connections are my only option. I have a video camera that has firewire and USB, but the USB connection is not adequate for transfers. I presently have a late 2006 Macbook that I have upgraded to 2GB RAM and a 250 GB harddrive, which is more than adequate to wait it out.
I have had my new MacBook from the beginning and I just LOVE it. There is only one thing that annoys me, and it can be fixed easily in software by Apple: there is no way (that I found) to configure the multitouch gestures. I would like to be able to turn off scaling and rotation because it often happens even though it was not my intent. For example, if you surf a web page and use one finger to drag something down but happen to have your thumb on the trackpad (something of a habit since most people who used a trackpad before tend to click at the bottom of the new glass trackpad), then it will scale your page unintentionally. This is SUPERANNOYING. Apple, please add option to turn multitouch gestures on or off individually.
I love the 128 GB SSD disk. It is obviously silent, with no moving part, and it does not get hot so you can keep the MacBook on your lap. The whole feel of the MacBook is just amazing. It feels sturdy and just right, from opening and closing the lid to grabbing the computer and more. The keyboard is great, the glass trackpad is great (although the pressure required to click is a tiny bit much, and the click noise too).
One thing that sucks, but not much, is that the screen easily gets smudged because of the keyboard (they tried to keep the overall thickness to a minimum, so you need to keep your cleaning cloth around. Of course, once you have something on the screen, you do not notice the smudges at all; it is only when the screen is dark.
I have not tried this yet but it is my understanding that you can use a headset with microphone (such as the iPhone headset) through the headphones jack only and it will recognize the microphone.
Summary: the new MacBook totally ROCKS!
I want the right click back :(
What do you mean? You can configure the right click in the System Preferences to happen when you click in the bottom right corner of the trackpad, or by clicking with two fingers (which is what I used, it's great!).
well crap... i meant the LEFT click BUTTON like the Air has... that clearly went wrong...
- If you need a laptop for browse the web, skype and office stuff, get a 400$ pc laptop.
- If you need a laptop for edit footage on the go, get a 2499$ macbook pro if you use FCP, if not get a 1200$ pc laptop for use Edius, Vegas, Avid or Premiere pro.
- If you need a laptop for play games, get a 1400$ pc laptop.
- If you need a laptop for 3D workstation, get a pc laptop at any price fitting your need (duo or quad, gforce or quadro).
Agreed with all of the above. Matte screen a no-brainer, HDMI-mini and most importantly bring back the old keyboard. shocking retrograde design. Love the unibody idea but those of us who've replaced components of the PowerBook Titanium series cringe when challenged with this puppy. Performance and specs are very good but please - take care of the basics Apple.
Matte Screen
17" version
1920x1200 Resolution
Decent Linux drivers for trackpad
Display Port - 30" monitor support.
Matte screen. I finally needed to upgrade from my '03 PowerBook G4. I saw that glossy was the only option and tried it out in the Apple Store and hated it, so I quickly bought a last-gen 2.5GHz 15" MacBook Pro with matte screen. I am extremely happy with my decision. Thanks, Apple, for saving me $800!!!
This is the stupidest MAC!!!
I'm really enjoying my MBP 2.53 ghz machine. Quite fast. Nothing but "oohs" and "ahs" from friends.
Personally, I like the black keys. Also, the thinness of the machine is a big plus. I'm a professional photographer using the machine in a variety of situations. I much prefer the Glossy screen. Much more vivid than the matte variety. Clients like it too.
Replace the MiniDisplay port with miniDVI. Even though you can boot externally from USB, bring back Firewire 400. Also, make the wireless hardware user swappable, I don't like using USB network adapters. It would be great to have built in 3G,4G/WiMAX. I know it is coming in 10.6 and/or 10.7 but I think having OpenCL ready for use with the NVidia chipsets from day one. Finally, improve the iSight quality, it still looks terrible.
I would eliminate the "Display Port" and replace it with an HDMI output to easily hook up to an HDTV (or a nice HDMI PC monitor) to watch HD movies and TV shows from iTunes.
I would add an Intel Turbo Memory Mini-Card, a finger print/biometric scanner for easier log-in, WHDI functionality, a built-in TV tuner with DVR functionality, and an Express Card slot for entry level Macbooks, not just the Pro model.
Also, wireless 3G broadband (Sprint/Verizon/AT&T) Mini-Cards as a built-to-order option.
the number of people that actually would do a hook up like you are talking about is tiny compared to those that would hook up the laptop to a larger display, a projector etc.
and your problem would be solved with a mini-display to hdmi adapter/cable
Faster sleep times! My old iBook G4 went to sleep within 2-3 seconds. My new 2.4 MacBook takes upwards of 5-10 seconds, which is much longer than any Apple I've ever used. My school has about 30 MacBooks and all of them go to sleep within 3 seconds; like they should.
MRCUR
The New Macbooks (well actually they've had it for awhile now) will copy the ram contents to the hardrive when it goes to sleep so if the power goes out your still safe.
You have a few options available to you to remove this functionality, but I suggest using http://www.jinx.de/SmartSleep.html which can be configured to only use the slower method when your battery is low thereby protecting you.
Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for the info Halopend! I think I'll give that a try and see if it's what I want. I was just surprised when I noticed the sleep light not flashing right after the lid closed, like it always did on my iBook. I'm surprised I haven't noticed this while working on the MacBooks at school, I guess the hibernation on those doesn't take as long...
This is my first Mac. I relly enjoy it. I don't mind the glossy screen. Except for the finger prints. But I'd rather use glass cleaner to clean finger prints than to be bummed at a scrathc in the screen.
I'd like to see either gray keys with black lettering or a brighter white printing on the current black keys. My friends old blackbook has black keys and the printing is bright. (or just put illuminated keys in all of them).
Programmable swipe gestures. Some people may like to use three finger left and right swipe to go back and forward in their browser history (on firefox of course) or switch it up to left and right swipes to cycle through the tabs. I like four finger side to side swipe for the application switcher, but why both ways? You could get another gesture out of it.
oh yeah....remove the actual clicking action of the trackpad. leave it as tap only. this could also get rid of the tiny lil gaps around the trackpad so debis doesn't get there.
lastly...more of an OSX thing...i'd like to be able to close my screen and not have it go to sleep. I hate that it drops the network connection and signs you out of ichat if you close it for a minute to carry it upstairs or to another room.
MultiClutch is a freeware prefs panels that lets you add gestures to any or all applications.
http://wcrawford.org/2008/02/28/everytime-i-think-about-you-i-touch-my-cell/