Apple Notebooks to See Major Design Changes?

[peterdevries]

A computer made from organic materials? That's so 80's. Seriously, I'd love to do my part to save the environment, but I wouldn't be caught dead holding a bamboo or wooden laptop.

What I'd like to see is a burnished aluminum or carbon fiber with a gun metal gray finish. Maybe some black matte trim and jet black keys against bluish backlighting. They can keep the same form factor... and please don't make it as flimsy looking as the Macbook Air.

To each his own... I personally prefer style over coolness (which I think are two entirely different things). the example you make, makes me think of a comparison between the style of a Ford Mustang (end 60s) and the carbon coolness of an Audi R8. Both great cars, but for different people.

There are actually wooden or bamboo laptops appearing on the market right now. I guess it depends on the way they do it. I would totally go for a dark bamboo - aluminium combination.

 

[jackc]

I had a PB15, and I held off on buying a MB for the same reason - I felt I wouldn't like the giant border around the screen.

Now, several months after buying a C2D MB, the verdict: I like it. The large border actually helps to isolate the screen from the background / any activity going on behind the MB.

At work, I use a Dell 2007 monitor, with very thin borders, and I actually wish sometimes it had larger borders to isolate the monitor screen from the filing cupboard and other office junk in my field of view.

Another case of ergonomics vs style.

I never really thought about that, good point.

 

[sleepingworker]

I know this will probably never happen, but how about a dark brown bamboo version? High gloss varnish, sturdy, environmentally friendly, and veeery stylish.

In addition bamboo is very light and cheap as a material, although I'm not sure about the production, as it is likely more difficult to process than aluminium, which is just stamped from a sheet of alu...

I'd buy it.

Bamboo seems very unlikely. However your idea is worth exploring. How about something in wood? ...

 

[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

Man, you're right! I can't tell the difference between the designs of the 2001 TiBook, the 2003 PB, and the 2008 MBP! THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE! So here's one more attempt ...

 

[richard.mac]

Man, you're right! I can't tell the difference between the designs of the 2001 TiBook, the 2003 PB, and the 2008 MBP! THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE! So here's one more attempt ...

you can tell the TiBooks look older just by looking at it but to the naked eye and non Mac users the PowerBook and MacBook Pro's look exactly the same.

 

[jouster]

The MacBook Pro will be changing by September. I for one hope they dump aluminum because it really does fold up like foil. However, I hear that the MacBook Air is much more durable.

Mine isn't. It's falling to pieces.

 

[3247]

you can tell the TiBooks look older just by looking at it but to the naked eye and non Mac users the PowerBook and MacBook Pro's look exactly the same.

…which means there has not been a reason to change the design. IOW the design is good just the way it is. - …or has been good.

Well, one possible change would be to make the case a bit smaller. This means thinner as the size of the screen is the limiting factor of the two other dimensions.

 

[MrCrowbar]

you can tell the TiBooks look older just by looking at it but to the naked eye and non Mac users the PowerBook and MacBook Pro's look exactly the same.

Agreed. You can tell them apart by the iSight and the ugly IR sensor on the front.

 

[whatever]

Dear Mr. Jobs -

This is the wish list of hardware features that should be on the new portables.

MBP: 1.) 16 inch & 18 inch screens 2.) DDR3 RAM 3.) Read/Write Blue Ray drive 4.) revised backlit keyboard [I'd prefer a darker blue or a dark orange, that stands out more, makes it easy on the eyes but also looks good] 5.) more multitouch features in the mouse pad.

MB: 1.) eliminate part of the inch boarder around the screen 2.) 13 inch & 15 inch LED displays 3.) BTO DDR3 RAM option 4.) BTO Blue Ray read, DVD RW drive 5.) light up keyboard 6.) multitouch mouse pad

I think increased reliability and serviceability goes without saying on both new models. I like the idea of applying some of the curvature of the iMac and TiBook to the new design. I also really like the silver and black approach, its classy, yet subtle. Finally, the BTO options on the macbook and the 15 inch display for under $2000 would make that model an instant hit on college campuses.

This must be a joke right?

Having owned and traveled the world with a 17" PowerBook all I can do is speak from experience. Anything larger than 17" is too large. The 17" was great in a hotel room, but you could use it on a plane other tight places.

Who needs BluRay on a laptop? All I need is a smaller, lighter laptop with a longer battery life.

The MacBook should stay as it it. doesn't need light up keyboard or features found in a professional machine.

Right now I'm looking for a new laptop do use around the pool and I think I'm going to go with a MacBook. It's much more durable than a MacBook Pro, nicer keyboard, and cheaper. I looked a the MacBook Air and although it's a beautiful machine, but $1,000 is not worth 2lbs and to look cool.

 

[Shasterball]

Right now I'm looking for a new laptop do use around the pool and I think I'm going to go with a MacBook.

Aren't pools in Boston open for only 2-3 months a year?

 

[MrCrowbar]

I'm a programmer and I must say: I never had a keyboard that's better than the new slim one from Apple. But people prefer different keyboards. Some in my office swear on old Cherry Keyboards with mechanical feather instead of plastic clip and so on. Aks 10 people about which keyboard they like and you will get 11 opinions.

I also love the current Apple keyboard. To me, it's perfect for programming and typing. The angle is just right, the keys have just the right amount of travel distance and spring force. I got the bluetooth one, because I like the smaller function keys (less thumb motion for shortcuts) and because I'm used to the Macbook layout. I also like how the space bar reaches from "C" to "M" (german layout). Oh, and I like quiet keyboards

 

[DaveClarkOne]

Please, just make the metal sturdier. I hate that my macbook pros are dent magnets near the power inlet.

I've owned 3 to 4 notebooks of the current design. No dents. What are earth on you doing that a notebook case can't protect you from. A thicker case means more weight, both of which aren't needed. These are precision machines, not hockey pucks. Treat them accordingly.

 

[MrCrowbar]

I've owned 3 to 4 notebooks of the current design. No dents. What are earth on you doing that a notebook case can't protect you from. A thicker case means more weight, both of which aren't needed. These are precision machines, not hockey pucks. Treat them accordingly.

Well, drop a Powerbook / Macbook Pro from a small height and it's likely to get bent (no pun intended) in a way it gets misaligned edges, deformed ports, broken plastic rims, etc. And depending on temperature, those things tend to wobble because the bottom case is stiff, yet slightly deformed.

My iPhone's back has 2 marks after a week of use but that's ok since I carry it in various pockets without protective covers and slide it along tables a lot.
But I don't care, gadgets are to be used. As long as function is not compromised (example: malformed ports that won't accept cables anymore), I don't really care about some dents.

 

[whatever]

Aren't pools in Boston open for only 2-3 months a year?

One of the great benefits of Global Warming is that those of use in the North East get to keep our pools open about 6 weeks longer.

 

[MrCrowbar]

One of the great benefits of Global Warming is that those of use in the North East get to keep our pools open about 6 weeks longer.

Time to sell that hybrid then

 

[sleepingworker]

…which means there has not been a reason to change the design. IOW the design is good just the way it is. - …or has been good.

Well, one possible change would be to make the case a bit smaller. This means thinner as the size of the screen is the limiting factor of the two other dimensions.

Well, the design looks VERY dated to me, but no need for you to worry because as soon as the new MBP's are released there will be a lot of people that would love to sell off their old ones ... hell, I'll even sell you my PB Classic! lol

 

[whatever]

Well, drop a Powerbook / Macbook Pro from a small height and it's likely to get bent (no pun intended) in a way it gets misaligned edges, deformed ports, broken plastic rims, etc. And depending on temperature, those things tend to wobble because the bottom case is stiff, yet slightly deformed.

My iPhone's back has 2 marks after a week of use but that's ok since I carry it in various pockets without protective covers and slide it along tables a lot.
But I don't care, gadgets are to be used. As long as function is not compromised (example: malformed ports that won't accept cables anymore), I don't really care about some dents.

Well, here's my Powerbook story again. I was in the garage and had my 17" Powerbook in a good computer bag and on my shoulder. My hands were full and the strap to the bag slid off of my shoulder in slow motion and the corner of the bag hit the concrete floor. I didn't think anything of it, until I tool the computer out of the bag and saw that the corner that hit the floor was folded up like tinfoil. I was flexible enough for me to remold it back into shape (sort of). The computer still worked fine, accept for the small crack on the screen (which is not covered by Apple Care).

The most durable laptop I've ever used is are the original IBM ThinkPads. Those things just don't die!

I've dropped my iPhone several times now. On the first day I got up from my desk and forgot that it was plugged into the headphones on my head and it slid off my desk onto a hardwood floor. It has also fallen in the garage once too. And the thing doesn't have a scratch. A friend dropped his in a puddle a few weeks ago and it died. He let it sit and dry out and two weeks later it's working perfectly. Now that's a durable device. However, the most durable product that Apple makes is the iPod Shuffle, you can abuse those things and they just keep working.

 

[keenan wolf]

Exactly Apple likes it's price points and will build the best machine they can to that margin and price points.

If anything you could see them slide the whole range down by $100
to start from $999 keeping the same gaps between models.

THANK YOU finaly someone understands that apple doesnt up their prices but yet everyone still talks about it oh well hopefully

 

[MrCrowbar]

The most durable laptop I've ever used is are the original IBM ThinkPads. Those things just don't die!

Agreed. Even the Lenovo ones are pretty tough it seems. I also like the design. It's timeless, functional, no gimmicks and didn't really change all those years. The perfect Linux machines.

 

[RackAttack]

mockups

Forgive me if someone has already said this, but, could someone post some mockups of a MacBook in iPod colors? I think that would look very cool. Again I'm sorry if I'm repeating this but I don't have time to go through the whole thread.

 

[sleepingworker]

I've owned 3 to 4 notebooks of the current design. No dents. What are earth on you doing that a notebook case can't protect you from. A thicker case means more weight, both of which aren't needed. These are precision machines, not hockey pucks. Treat them accordingly.

Well, my PB was bought in early 2003 and has traveled to Asia and Europe with me many times. However the years have taken their toll. All four rubber pads have long since disappeared and the PCMCIA slot is dented (but still functional) ...

on the plus side, I scored a hat trick with the PB!

 

[whatever]

Agreed. Even the Lenovo ones are pretty tough it seems. I also like the design. It's timeless, functional, no gimmicks and didn't really change all those years. The perfect Linux machines.

Agreed, I use a Mac (desktop and laptop) by choice. However, if I was ever forced to use a PC I would go ThinkPad without looking elsewhere. A few months ago a company I was consulting with gave me a high end Dell. I used it once or twice and then just left it in it's bag. Eventually I told them that I didn't need a computer and used my iPhone while I was on site.

 

[greenmeanie]

I am hoping for an AIR look.

 

[Clive At Five]

Bamboo seems very unlikely. However your idea is worth exploring. How about something in wood? ...

Reminds me of a sweet mod I've seen...

But I'm a fan of the Necronomicon G4:

-Clive

 

[sleepingworker]

iTikki? Aloha!