Apple Notebooks to See Major Design Changes?

[digitalbiker]

Why mess with a good thing? The MBP is a beautiful machine. Minor revisions are understandable (e.g. larger trackpad), but the basic machine is as perfect-looking and functioning a laptop as I have ever seen. Barring a major change in computer interfaces, I don't see the reason or benefit of mixing things up in a major way.

It's boring, boring. boring. I am sick, sick, sick of the current design. Please let's see something new. If for no other reason than to prove that Apple has not completely forgotten about their pro lines.

Apple has been so focused on updating their ipod line every 6 months that they are letting their pro-lines whither on the vines.

 

[beppo]

I, as well, was expecting something like this. In a previous thread I had someone make a mock-up to my specifications. I forget his/her name, but I'll try to search and find it to give them credit. I think it came out awesome:

View attachment 111232

if you look closely you can find some photoshop problem but over all I really like the soft look

 

[bytethese]

I am personally hoping for something in the transparent aluminum variety . . .

HAHA! Awesome! Razor thin laptops that can hold back whales!

"Computer. Computer? Hello, computer."
"Just use the keyboard."
"Keyboard. How quaint."

 

[sleepingworker]

It's boring, boring. boring. I am sick, sick, sick of the current design. Please let's see something new. If for no other reason than to prove that Apple has not completely forgotten about their pro lines.

Apple has been so focused on updating their ipod line every 6 months that they are letting their pro-lines whither on the vines.

I couldn't agree more! The design of the PB was great but times change. I posted the below comparison of the PB/MBP line vs the iMac line right after the last MBP revision because I was so disappointed. I was ready to buy then but decided to hold off - I knew this revision would happen after the MBA was announced.

 

[gkarris]

I, as well, was expecting something like this. In a previous thread I had someone make a mock-up to my specifications. I forget his/her name, but I'll try to search and find it to give them credit. I think it came out awesome:

View attachment 111232

This is probably going to be the new Al MacBook.

Nice job...

 

[hotsauce]

This is probably going to be the new Al MacBook.

Nice job...

If that is the new MBP, I will be very happy that I bought mine last week.

 

[joeshell383]

99% Positive:

Chiclet keyboard for MBP
New processors (i.e. speed bump, etc.) for MBP
Same pricing structure as current one for MB/MBP models respectively

90% Positive:

Magnetic latch for MBP
User replaceable HDD for MBP
SSD option for MBP
Larger trackpad for MBP
New processors (i.e. speed bump, etc.) for MB
LED Backlight for MB and 17" MBP

80% Positive:

Blu-ray (standard or BTO) for MBP
High-res 15.4" for MBP
Larger HDDs on some models of MBP

50% Positive:

Black option for MBP; Nano/Shuffle colors for MB
Multi-touch and/or larger trackpad for MB

Purely a Wishlist:

Separate Media Key Row instead of Using FN Keys
Fingerprint Reader
Wi-Max/3G/4G Connectivity
Wireless USB
ExpressCard/54 instead of /34
2.0 MP+ iSight
Memory Card Reader
Improved Sound
Nub Pointer
eSATA
DisplayPort
GPS
LightScribe or similar

Additionally I think we will eventually see:

FW 3200
OS on USB Drive

 

[lord patton]

hmmm, 300 odd posts about something everyone suspects and no one knows... I'll add my worthless ramblings for good measure...

Whatever MB they release this Summer/early-fall, I'll be getting one refurbed this Christmas. Sexy new aluminum enclosure, (marginally) better graphics, faster processor, multi-touch trackpad, faster front-side bus, faster-memory, 4-gigs of 3rd party RAM...

...it will be a good reward for keeping mister 12-inch PB around so long

 

[nikiski]

Okay, I'm calling it first, right here:

I predict that, with these new laptop introductions, Apple will introduce a new black Mighty Mouse, with a matte finish (like the back of the iMac).

I mean, after all, there's not going to be anything white left on any of their computers! (Except keyboard keys.)

Oh noes! I sure hope the screen still displays white!

 

[daneoni]

Here are my predictions for the Monteniva based MacBook Pro:

- 45nm C2D 2.66-3.06ghz
- 800mhz DDR2 ram
- Hard Drives from 250-500GB, with option for a SSD
- BLU-Ray standard! on MacBook Pro (Blu-Ray drives are cheap. You can get them for a mere $150). By June, they will get even cheaper.
- 3-5 megapixel isight
- 9600 GT graphics card (the 9600 GT is around 3x faster than the 8600 GT)

Wouldnt it be DDR3?. I also wouldn't dream about blue-ray till next year at least. Also, knowing Apple that iSight won't go beyond 2 MP for a while.

I dont see the pro lines getting a redesign soon. The macbook may transition to aluminum since its the only plastic product left sans airport products and the least green, i'd imagine it gets the nod first before the pro lines get a revamp (which they desperately need...the G5/PowerBook designs are getting waay long in the tooth

 

[steve31]

Great news!!! I will sell my MBA and buy a MB if it has LED screen and Backlit keyboard!! Thats what I have been waiting for!! Love the Air but I did not buy it for the thinness, I bought it because of the 13' led display and backlit keyboard. I dont think it would be wise for apple to use the chicklit style keyboard for the MBP. The keyboard on the MBP is perfect as is!

 

[cthomet]

so now the decision is whether to get the new notebooks as soon as they come out or wait a few months to let them work the kinks out.

 

[sleepingworker]

so now the decision is whether to get the new notebooks as soon as they come out or wait a few months to let them work the kinks out.

I guess that depends on your need. Me, I'll put in the order day one.

 

[dawnrazor]

I really hope it doesn't have that mickey mouse keyboard you get with the MB and the new iMac keyboards, I really like the keyboard on the current MBP!

 

[rpg1hero]

You know, when the iMacs got a design change the price went down by a couple hundred. Just some wishful thinking...

 

[diamond.g]

Here are my predictions for the Monteniva based MacBook Pro:

- 45nm C2D 2.66-3.06ghz
- 800mhz DDR2 ram
- Hard Drives from 250-500GB, with option for a SSD
- BLU-Ray standard! on MacBook Pro (Blu-Ray drives are cheap. You can get them for a mere $150). By June, they will get even cheaper.
- 3-5 megapixel isight
- 9600 GT graphics card (the 9600 GT is around 3x faster than the 8600 GT)

DDR3 would be better than DDR2 in the power department. A 3-5 MP iSight may be useless if the optics aren't improved as well.

 

[sleepingworker]

You know, when the iMacs got a design change the price went down by a couple hundred. Just some wishful thinkings...

I don't think this will happen if the HD is larger, includes blu-ray, and goes to the Montevina platform.

 

[mashinhead]

Mockup of what I think a MacBook Pro 15" may look like based on the iMac design.

i really don't think it will have that black ring around it like the imac. It just doesn't make sense. I mean the imac has that black around it to make the screen look bigger and the bezel and chin look smaller, same with the black on the back to make it look thinner. It's too much, if they do have it, it will probably be just the stroke where the plastic is or something. I really don't think it will look that much different than what it is now (unless they taper it, someone posted a really nice mockup of a tapered one a few days ago), a little thinner, maybe a thinner bezel, i think the cd drive will be on the side instead of the front to make it cleaner, also because the magnets will be where it is now.

Anyway I think the keyboard area is going to see biggest change really, they will use the MBA keyboard (when you look at an air it is really clean and seamless) and track pad, but the real design issue is where the speakers are now. on the macbook the speakers are in the back and bounce off the screen. I'm sure they 'want' to make it clean like the air, but seeing as this a pro machine I don't think they can really move the speakers, which means that 'grill' will still be there. but knowing apple's 'seemless' ambitions i wouldn't be surprised if they actually put them in the back MB style.

Either way I can't wait. I was actually about to get a new MB today. I never liked the white plastic look at all, i know there are those that love it, but i've always liked the aluminum much better, i like the way it feels, its easy to clean, doesn't scratch easy, looks great. There are those that say white is 'mac' but so is aluminum. I know other manufactures use silver on there stuff, but it's sliver on plastic. Not the same to me, nowhere near as nice as the aluminum on macs. I wouldn't ever touch an iMac until the new ones came out. Love them. They whole black aluminum looks nice. I don't really mind white the color, but the plastic i was not a fan of at all. Too bad we have to wait. I also wish they would be immediately available (when announced), but it will probably be "here they are and you can get them in 'three weeks" or some cr@p like that.

 

[SiliconAddict]

it's presumed this will include instances of matte black on portions of the casings, oversized trackpads, and the adoption of the MacBook Air's keyboard by the MacBook.

Don't forget the limited number of ports on the MBP....remember everyone. It wouldn't be a Mac if you didn't have 15 bagillion cables hanging off the thing because Apple can't get their head out of....a certain uncomfortable location and put a blasted docking station port on the MBP.
Instead I have...
External Monitor DVI connection
USB powered hub
USB mouse (Wireless still sucks for gaming.)
USB iPod
USB scanner
USB joystick
USB Canon Printer
USB 500GB external drive
Firewire 800 160GB hard drive
Ethernet
and Power

all snaking out, or around in the case of what is coming off my hub, of my MBP and generally looking like crap and taking forever to disconnect and reconnect when I want to take my laptop with me on the go. All because Apple is comprised of a bunch of stubborn idiots who can't see why having all these cables running through the back of a docking station is immensely useful. But hey. Apple is god. Who are we to question the holy word of Jobs?

 

[yojimbo1]

IMHO, no need to update cosmetics now

 

[Belly-laughs]

Boring, long in the tooth... The lack of a case re-design made me skip the last round of updates. Hopefully the probook again will be an Apple showcase product.

 

[sleepingworker]

New MBA?

I posted this image on a related thread but thought it looked so cool it needed to be seen here. I think it might have had some photoshop work done - the logo looks distorted and there might be signs of some magic lasso. Still, one hell of a machine. Jonathan Ive and Co. are really breaking new design barriers!

 

[RoboCop001]

I couldn't agree more! The design of the PB was great but times change. I posted the below comparison of the PB/MBP line vs the iMac line right after the last MBP revision because I was so disappointed. I was ready to buy then but decided to hold off - I knew this revision would happen after the MBA was announced.

That picture you attached shows a Titanium G4 and two MacBook Pros, but it calls one of the MBPs a 2003 G4 model.... lol

 

[sleepingworker]

That picture you attached shows a Titanium G4 and two MacBook Pros, but it calls one of the MBPs a 2003 G4 model.... lol

Don't think so - middle one is the PB. But they look so close who the hell can tell?!!!

 

[NYCMacFan]

IMHO, no need to update cosmetics now

Question for me is what direction to take. I have the new Macbook Air, which I really find to beautiful. They could incorporate some of the design motiffs in the MBP, but do not expect the same wedge shape or other things. Nor would you want to do something that would eat into sales.

The Macbooks are in real need for some improvment in design as they look a touch cheap to me.

But I again wonder if you have three metal laptops, how different do they really seem and does this hurt their strategy for maintaining different price points.

By the way, the MBA I have is surprisingly sturdy and dent resistant. A real pleasure thus far.