I decided to write Apple a letter on the MacBook... [Archive]

GregUofMN

Jan 14, 2006, 01:52 PM

After only a couple years of religiously using a Powerbook for my day-to-day tasks, I decided to write Apple a letter about how happy I was to be a user and also offered them a suggestion about the upcoming MacBook Pro. It wasn't a large suggestion, but nonetheless, here is my letter. Let me know what you think...

To whom this may concern;

It has always amazed me how Apple's design staff pulls off the most unthinkable hardware and software, but somehow it manages to be exactly what I've always been missing. I anticipate every new release with the fervor of a hyperactive kid on Christmas morning. Thus, I am excited for the upcoming release of the new MacBook Pro.

I think that the MagSafe plug, new minicam and remote control are great features that will further push the idea that Apple creates the best computer experience for it's users. I am completely aware that the MacBook Pro is currently is still somewhat in the very final stages of development. (At least, that is what I've been told concerning the battery life of the new notebook.) That's why I'm writing you this question now.

I love how the remote for the new iMac magnetically attaches to the side of the display, which is appropriate for a desktop computer, but this would be obviously impossible when transporting a notebook computer around. I think that it would be fantastic if the device could slide into the side of the MacBook Pro similar to how the card slot on the left side of the notebook and pop out when you wanted to use it.

I know that extra space inside of any laptop is virtually non-existent and I don't know if anything like this is feasible this late in the game with MacBook Pro's ready to ship in February, but maybe on future releases this is something that could be explored.

Please forward this on to those individuals who may be responsible for product design because after all, Apple prides itself on tentatively listening to customer feedback. Thank you very much for working so hard on these products only to make my life easier.

Sincerely,
Greg Kraus

mjstew33

Jan 14, 2006, 01:56 PM

Nice letter, yeah, now that it's brought up to me, I don't know how that remote control thing is ganna work. :confused:

Lacero

Jan 14, 2006, 02:01 PM

I think that it would be fantastic if the (remote) could slide into the side of the MacBook Pro similar to how the card slot on the left side of the notebook and pop out when you wanted to use it.
I'm not sure I like that feature. I'd treat the remote as I would treat an external mouse or mouse pad, separately.

I like the letter stating the improvements like MagSafe — didn't see that one coming, but it's ingenious. I love that feature.Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

TheMonarch

Jan 14, 2006, 02:08 PM

You know I'd be a cool idea if they released a hollow PCI express card or adapter in which you could fit the remote into...

Tha'd be innovative :cool:

Patent pending©

GregUofMN

Jan 14, 2006, 02:12 PM

I'm not sure I like that feature. I'd treat the remote as I would treat an external mouse or mouse pad, separately.

Obviously you would have to treat it like an external mouse, mouse pad, powercord, headphones, powercord extender, Kensington lock, etc or anything else that you have to use a periferial object to the actual laptop itself. This is only a suggestion to help integrate an external component... when internally, I guess.

-Escher-

Jan 14, 2006, 02:15 PM

You know I'd be a cool idea if they released a hollow PCI express card or adapter in which you could fit the remote into...

Tha'd be innovative :cool:

Patent pending©

I'm sorry but this idea has been around for a while! My HP dv4000 has a RC that fits into the PCMCIA slot! It's VERY neat and handy since you'll not be using it very often and you'll end up either loosing or leaving it in a safe place far away from your laptop! Besides, my HP's RC is VERY nice, thin and has lots of features! It cost 15$ and I'm pretty sure I'll be very disapointed with the MBP's one....

TheMonarch

Jan 14, 2006, 02:19 PM

I'm sorry but this idea has been around for a while! My HP dv4000 has a RC that fits into the PCMCIA slot! It's VERY neat and handy since you'll not be using it very often and you'll end up either loosing or leaving it in a safe place far away from your laptop! Besides, my HP's RC is VERY nice, thin and has lots of features! It cost 15$ and I'm pretty sure I'll be very disapointed with the MBP's one....

Blast! I thought I had something going there. :D

Oh well, lets hope they do the same on these 'Books.

GregUofMN

Jan 14, 2006, 02:34 PM

Blast! I thought I had something going there. :D

Uhh... how original of YOU to come up with that idea... I wonder if you got the idea from MY letter...

"I think that it would be fantastic if the device could slide into the side of the MacBook Pro similar to how the card slot on the left side of the notebook works and pops out when you wanted to use it."

-Escher-

Jan 14, 2006, 03:28 PM

Uhh... how original of YOU to come up with that idea... I wonder if you got the idea from MY letter...

"I think that it would be fantastic if the device could slide into the side of the MacBook Pro similar to how the card slot on the left side of the notebook works and pops out when you wanted to use it."

Well...I've been posting about it here since keynote...I just don't know why they can't make a RC that fits into this Express/34 slot! They don't need to actually build a specific place for it! And for a 4 buttons RC...Should be a peace of cake!!!! If HP can came up with a 20$ RC full of features and thin as a CC why not Apple???

OH BTW...My HP4000 has 4 (FOUR) USB ports!!!!!!!!!! C'amon apple!!! I'm buying a MBP just to let you guys know...Nothing is perfect....

Take a look!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?product_code=PT746AA%23ABA

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?product_code=EL623AA

GregUofMN

Jan 19, 2006, 04:28 PM

Does Apple ever write back? I still have yet to receive any kind of response, even a generic one.

Hmmm... maybe they're working on it? :rolleyes:

law guy

Jan 19, 2006, 07:38 PM

A few nits - change the semi-colon to a colon after the salutation. You have a contracted "it's" (only for it is) where it should be "its" as the possessive. Staying away from contractions is also a good rule of thumb. Your last post seems to indicate that you've already sent, but these are a few small comments just in case you have yet to send it. Why not address it to a VP of a design group. I think that Jonathan Ives title is "Vice President of Industrial Design" You could also overnight fedex it to give it a little help along in getting a few seconds of attention. ;)

Wes Jordan

Jan 19, 2006, 07:49 PM

You know I'd be a cool idea if they released a hollow PCI express card or adapter in which you could fit the remote into...

Tha'd be innovative :cool:

Patent pending©

Already done. The HP dv1000 uses a remote that pops out of the PCI slot. Ingenious and a great feature I might add. I love using it on my dad's laptop. If I didn't get an MB Pro it is what I would get.

T-Stex

Jan 19, 2006, 08:24 PM

About 15 years ago, my parents had a t.v. that had a slot for the remote. I don't know who made it, but they deserve the credit, not HP. :p

Chip NoVaMac

Jan 19, 2006, 09:15 PM

Thanks for pointing out the MagSafe plug. Never looked at the MacBook Pro site yet, so your mention is the first that I read on the topic. Definitly a big advantage for the MacBook Pro.

Bern

Jan 19, 2006, 09:36 PM

T-Stex

Jan 19, 2006, 11:06 PM

There are (or used to be) that battery feature in a couple of *sigh* Dell laptops. Kinda keeps up the trend of finding the same innovations in less spectacular products...

GregUofMN

Jan 19, 2006, 11:58 PM

Very nice well written letter.

But rather than have a slot for the remote control, what I would like to see is a feature a Fujitsu tablet pc has. With it you can pop out the cd drive entirely and put in it's place a spare battery. When the existing battery runs out the computer automatically ticks over to the spare one. It's a great idea if you're out and about.

Thanks. However, instead of a replaceable battery slot, how about a battery that last more than 2-4 hours!!!! :rolleyes:

Yes, I own a 15"AlBook and I feel your pain. I'm running at 98% and I only have 2 hours and 22 minutes of battery life left---nope--scratch that--it just shot down to 1 hour and 38 minutes. Wow. I've never put it in "TIME" mode, just percentage. I never really realized just how bad that battery life was. I take back what I said before, that replaceable battery would be lifesaver if I couldn't find an outlet.

By the way, as I finish writing this (without taking a break) I'm already down to 1:27. That's just bad. Hope the new MacBook's improve on that!

oingoboingo

Jan 20, 2006, 12:07 AM

There are (or used to be) that battery feature in a couple of *sigh* Dell laptops. Kinda keeps up the trend of finding the same innovations in less spectacular products...

And would you consider it to be innovative again if you knew that previous Apple PowerBooks have had exactly this feature?

http://www.lowendmac.com/pb2/pismo.shtml

Bern

Jan 20, 2006, 12:16 AM

And would you consider it to be innovative again if you knew that previous Apple PowerBooks have had exactly this feature?

http://www.lowendmac.com/pb2/pismo.shtml

They did? :eek:

Well Apple should bring it back. I get around 4.5 hours on my 12" Powerbook battery but I still carry around a spare just in case.

oingoboingo

Jan 20, 2006, 12:43 AM

They did? :eek:

Well Apple should bring it back. I get around 4.5 hours on my 12" Powerbook battery but I still carry around a spare just in case.

Some areas of laptop design have gone forward. Others have gone backwards. I think the flexibility of being able to remove the optical drive and substitute an extra battery pack is ingenious, and is something which should be re-implemented into new Apple laptops.

Anonymous Freak

Jan 20, 2006, 03:14 AM

You know I'd be a cool idea if they released a hollow PCI express card or adapter in which you could fit the remote into...

Tha'd be innovative :cool:

I compared the size of the Apple Remote to the size of an ExpressCard/34 slot in a store. If they made the remote just a tiny bit smaller, it could be stored in the ExpressCard slot... (It's too 'tall' by about 1/4 of its height, and too 'thick' by about 1/2. But width is perfect. So if they made it 1/2 the thickness, it would fit in the slot, but stick out by a little.)

ortuno2k

Jan 20, 2006, 08:03 AM

Hey that's a nice letter.
Something else I would have added?

"Please make the remote control work with Keynote as well."

I don't know if this can be done now, since I don't own one of the newer iMacs with the remote, but if it could happen, I think it'd be sweet!

And storing the remote in the available slot would be nice. Hey, HP and Compaq do it; why can't Apple? :)

NeuronBasher

Jan 20, 2006, 08:38 AM

I'm almost positive that it was mentioned in the Stevenote that the remote works in Keynote as well as Front Row.

Diatribe

Jan 20, 2006, 09:13 AM

gauchogolfer

Jan 20, 2006, 09:13 AM

I'm almost positive that it was mentioned in the Stevenote that the remote works in Keynote as well as Front Row.

I have iWork '06, but no Apple remote. However, I can't find any mention of the remote working with Keynote in the user guide documentation....suspicious.

NeuronBasher

Jan 20, 2006, 09:48 AM

I just looked back at the keynote Quicktime and you're right, I'm misremembering. Maybe I read that in a blog somewhere and got it conflated in my memory. Apologies.

Seasought

Jan 20, 2006, 09:53 AM

I'm going to remain skeptical of the mag-safe feature until I've seen it used for several years without loss of power to the magnet.

oingoboingo

Jan 20, 2006, 04:23 PM

I'm going to remain skeptical of the mag-safe feature until I've seen it used for several years without loss of power to the magnet.

Since this type of design seems to have been used for many years in deep-fryers, hopefully any long terms issues with the magnetic coupling have been sorted out.

http://news.com.com/2061-10793_3-6026430.html

Seasought

Jan 20, 2006, 04:27 PM

Since this type of design seems to have been used for many years in deep-fryers, hopefully any long terms issues with the magnetic coupling have been sorted out.

http://news.com.com/2061-10793_3-6026430.html

Hey neat. I don't own a deep fryer and wasn't aware that this was already being used. Thanks.

LastLine

Jan 20, 2006, 04:48 PM

Trouble is they should've done an aluminium remote to match up with it.

hayduke

Jan 20, 2006, 05:11 PM

Kingsly

Jan 20, 2006, 05:54 PM

Im praying that my MBP comes with a remote holder...

As for the letter, being the self proclaimed emperor of persuasive letters, I thought it was excellent. One thing though: I had to read the second paragraph like three times before I understood it. The wording in the second half of the second paragraph was a little, uh, confusing. I cant tell of its just a typo or what, hopefully you fixed it in the final draft.
-Kingsly
www.mariposaprod.com

Dagless

Jan 20, 2006, 06:24 PM

I don't like the hidden remote idea. there could be a problem transporting the remote if you travel light but thats not that answer and I certainly don't know it!

Good idea writing a letter though. I smile when I get the occasional fanmail for my games so Apple will probably smile too.

ps. I'd love a MacBook Pro. :D

Mechcozmo

Jan 21, 2006, 01:19 PM

Does Apple ever write back? I still have yet to receive any kind of response, even a generic one.

Hmmm... maybe they're working on it? :rolleyes:

Linkety (http://www.apple.com/feedback/)

Mord

Jan 21, 2006, 01:50 PM

if only the remote had a rechargeable battery and could charge in the slot.

zap2

Jan 21, 2006, 01:57 PM

Trouble is they should've done an aluminium remote to match up with it.

Would have looked nice

Meyvn

Jan 21, 2006, 02:05 PM

Some areas of laptop design have gone forward. Others have gone backwards. I think the flexibility of being able to remove the optical drive and substitute an extra battery pack is ingenious, and is something which should be re-implemented into new Apple laptops.
I wholeheartedly disagree; it would be much, much harder to find a good manufacturer to make the SuperDrives, and Apple would be stuck in the same hole we were with 15.2" screens and PPC processors: the "proprietary" hole. Not to mention the fact that we'd have to have bigger battery packs since they're currently smaller than a DVD in surface area, which would mean less real-estate inside the laptop, which is already in short supply. And having nonstandard-sized Superdrives puts us farther behind on technology, and farther behind on quality, because it requires Apple to find people willing to go to extra trouble to make a nonstandard shaped device. We already HAVE a feature on PowerBooks that allows us to swap out the battery without the computer fully shutting down, allowing us to switch out using the same slot. I'm definitely willing to sacrifice the time it takes to switch out a battery in order to have a better quality (and probably less expensive) SuperDrive.

Meyvn

Jan 21, 2006, 02:07 PM

It should:

1) recharge in the PC-Card slot
2) have a laser pointer
3) work with keynote

Is that too much to ask?

No. ESPECIALLY the Keynote thing. That would be amazing.

janstett

Jan 21, 2006, 02:20 PM

You know I'd be a cool idea if they released a hollow PCI express card or adapter in which you could fit the remote into...

Tha'd be innovative :cool:

Patent pending©

Yeah, they could have done one of those credit card sized remotes, that would have fit into the card slot! But to save costs they reuse what they already have on the iMac.

janstett

Jan 21, 2006, 02:28 PM

Not to mention the fact that we'd have to have bigger battery packs since they're currently smaller than a DVD in surface area, which would mean less real-estate inside the laptop, which is already in short supply. And having nonstandard-sized Superdrives puts us farther behind on technology, and farther behind on quality, because it requires Apple to find people willing to go to extra trouble to make a nonstandard shaped device.

You should check out the Ultrabay Slim devices IBM uses on their small thinkpads (I have an ultraportable X40). They are very tiny and would fit on a Macbook. Among the options are a drive bay for a 9mm 2.5" hard drive, a DVD-RW, and a 2nd battery. With my 8 cell battery and the 2nd battery in the drive bay, I can go for a full day at work on a single charge.

Measurements are 9.5mm H x 5.12in W x 5.51in Depth. Plus it would save money sharing this cost with IBM (or whoever makes these for them, such as Foxconn).

http://www-131.ibm.com/content/product_images/en_US/IMG1119_MKT_IMG_FILENAME_1.gif

AliensAreFuzzy

Jan 21, 2006, 05:57 PM

It should:

3) work with keynote

Is that too much to ask?

Nope, that's why they've already done it.
Under Your Thumb

The Apple Remote features a minimalist six buttons. Press menu to activate Front Row and the standard transport to navigate through your media. You can even use the remote to control Keynote presentations in the all new iWork ’06.

oingoboingo

Jan 21, 2006, 11:14 PM

You should check out the Ultrabay Slim devices IBM uses on their small thinkpads (I have an ultraportable X40). They are very tiny and would fit on a Macbook. Among the options are a drive bay for a 9mm 2.5" hard drive, a DVD-RW, and a 2nd battery. With my 8 cell battery and the 2nd battery in the drive bay, I can go for a full day at work on a single charge.

Measurements are 9.5mm H x 5.12in W x 5.51in Depth. Plus it would save money sharing this cost with IBM (or whoever makes these for them, such as Foxconn).

http://www-131.ibm.com/content/product_images/en_US/IMG1119_MKT_IMG_FILENAME_1.gif

I was going to respond in a similar way, but you've made the point nicely :)

If there's a company that can come up with a clever engineering solution to something that initially looks like it's difficult or impossible, it's Apple.

In any event it's unlikely to happen, so it's all just wishful thinking.

quagmire

Jan 22, 2006, 01:07 AM

Overall a nice letter, but you should of mentioned to keep the Powerbook( and all of their Macs should keep the same name) name! Thats there big mistake with the Intel Macs.

HiRez

Jan 22, 2006, 03:33 AM

Does Apple ever write back? I still have yet to receive any kind of response, even a generic one.I've received responses from Apple (almost always generic ones, sometimes specific ones even asking for more particular information). If you're really serious about it, you should find the postal address (might just be 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA) and send them a hand-typed, signed letter. This will almost certainly be better received than an email, which they probably get thousands of a day. Studies over the years have shown that almost without exception hand-written/-typed, mailed letters receive more attention than emails do. I don't think you said which one yours was...

GregUofMN

Jan 22, 2006, 11:25 AM

Linkety (http://www.apple.com/feedback/)

Thanks, but that's where I sent the letter... under the Powerbook icon. ;)

GregUofMN

Jan 22, 2006, 11:31 AM

Overall a nice letter, but you should of mentioned to keep the Powerbook( and all of their Macs should keep the same name) name! Thats there big mistake with the Intel Macs.

I think that I might be the only one that actually likes the new name. It would be nice to finally see a progression from all the iThis and iThat. I can foresee that Apple would alter the iBook line to simply MacBooks. In my opinion, that was getting a little old... especially since 3rd party folks and even people not in the computer business were adopting this type of "i" prefex.

Diatribe

Jan 23, 2006, 02:51 PM

"Please make the remote control work with Keynote as well."

I'm almost positive that it was mentioned in the Stevenote that the remote works in Keynote as well as Front Row.

It does. http://images.apple.com/macbookpro/pdf/20060120_MacBookPro_TO.pdf

page 21

NeuronBasher

Jan 23, 2006, 02:54 PM

Thanks, Diatribe! I thought I was losing my mind since I couldn't find a reference to it in the keynote Quicktime.

Diatribe

Jan 23, 2006, 03:00 PM

Thanks, Diatribe! I thought I was losing my mind since I couldn't find a reference to it in the keynote Quicktime.

You're welcome. :) Now if it would fit in the PC-Card slot and recharge there.... :rolleyes:

spencecb

Jan 23, 2006, 03:43 PM

I wholeheartedly disagree; it would be much, much harder to find a good manufacturer to make the SuperDrives, and Apple would be stuck in the same hole we were with 15.2" screens and PPC processors: the "proprietary" hole. Not to mention the fact that we'd have to have bigger battery packs since they're currently smaller than a DVD in surface area, which would mean less real-estate inside the laptop, which is already in short supply. And having nonstandard-sized Superdrives puts us farther behind on technology, and farther behind on quality, because it requires Apple to find people willing to go to extra trouble to make a nonstandard shaped device. We already HAVE a feature on PowerBooks that allows us to swap out the battery without the computer fully shutting down, allowing us to switch out using the same slot. I'm definitely willing to sacrifice the time it takes to switch out a battery in order to have a better quality (and probably less expensive) SuperDrive.

What is this feature that allows us to swap out a battery without shutting down the computer? If you are referring to keeping the PowerBook plugged in and switching out a battery, well, that is hardly handy.

Diatribe

Jan 23, 2006, 03:56 PM

What is this feature that allows us to swap out a battery without shutting down the computer? If you are referring to keeping the PowerBook plugged in and switching out a battery, well, that is hardly handy.

You can swap the battery in sleep mode, which is what he is referring to and you don't have to have it plugged in for that.

gauchogolfer

Jan 23, 2006, 04:09 PM

You're welcome. :) Now if it would fit in the PC-Card slot and recharge there.... :rolleyes:

Any idea if the new Apple remote with G5 iMacs will also support this in iWork '06? I can't find any documentation on the iWork site, even in the user manual. I can't imagine this is specific to MacBook Pro....

EDIT: Hey, I'm a member!

Diatribe

Jan 23, 2006, 04:13 PM

Any idea if the new Apple remote with G5 iMacs will also support this in iWork '06? I can't find any documentation on the iWork site, even in the user manual. I can't imagine this is specific to MacBook Pro....

EDIT: Hey, I'm a member!

I would think that this is a Keynote feature. This should work with the iMacs too.

Anonymous Freak

Jan 23, 2006, 05:57 PM

You can swap the battery in sleep mode, which is what he is referring to and you don't have to have it plugged in for that.

I thought this was a feature of the existing PowerBooks, but no matter how fast I am, I can't swap the battery in sleep mode. As soon as I remove the existing battery, the pulsing light on the front immediately turns off, showing it is all the way off.

Even a 'hibernate' mode, like on most PeeCee notebooks, would be nice. Something where my state is saved, and I can swap batteries.

Mechcozmo

Jan 23, 2006, 07:13 PM

I thought this was a feature of the existing PowerBooks, but no matter how fast I am, I can't swap the battery in sleep mode. As soon as I remove the existing battery, the pulsing light on the front immediately turns off, showing it is all the way off.

Even a 'hibernate' mode, like on most PeeCee notebooks, would be nice. Something where my state is saved, and I can swap batteries.

That's because only the 15" and the 17" PowerBooks get it. Even the original TiBooks had it. But no go for the 12" PowerBooks. :mad:

The bigger PowerBooks have ~60 seconds in sleep without a battery.

dr_lha

Jan 23, 2006, 07:30 PM

I thought this was a feature of the existing PowerBooks, but no matter how fast I am, I can't swap the battery in sleep mode. As soon as I remove the existing battery, the pulsing light on the front immediately turns off, showing it is all the way off.

Even a 'hibernate' mode, like on most PeeCee notebooks, would be nice. Something where my state is saved, and I can swap batteries.

On a 12" PB you need to enable SafeSleep mode, which is unsupported by Apple but works great on my 12" PB (1Ghz DVI).

In this case the PB saves the contents of memory to disk when put into sleep mode. When power is lost, the OS just starts up reading the memory from disk. Works great and I've used it to swap batteries in flight, with no loss of work.

yankeefan24

Jan 23, 2006, 07:45 PM

Mechcozmo

Jan 24, 2006, 08:43 AM

I thought this was a feature of the existing PowerBooks, but no matter how fast I am, I can't swap the battery in sleep mode. As soon as I remove the existing battery, the pulsing light on the front immediately turns off, showing it is all the way off.

Even a 'hibernate' mode, like on most PeeCee notebooks, would be nice. Something where my state is saved, and I can swap batteries.

Oh.. might want to verify your startup disk if you've tried that a few times. See if there are any errors. Technically, HFS+ can be Journaled, but you still run into the occasional issue.

Anonymous Freak

Jan 24, 2006, 04:17 PM

On a 12" PB you need to enable SafeSleep mode, which is unsupported by Apple but works great on my 12" PB (1Ghz DVI).

In this case the PB saves the contents of memory to disk when put into sleep mode. When power is lost, the OS just starts up reading the memory from disk. Works great and I've used it to swap batteries in flight, with no loss of work.

Thanks for the tip! A little bit of Googling (http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=OS+X+SafeSleep&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8), and I found out how to do it (http://www.andrewescobar.com/archive/2005/11/11/how-to-safe-sleep-your-mac/). That's exactly what I wanted. (Since it appears the 12"er doesn't have the swap-during-sleep capability.)