Concept Imagines What a Dynamic OLED Touch Panel Could Look Like on a MacBook Pro

[dadouney]

Please not another 13 & 15" MBP. Can we have some choice for heavens sake. Move up to 14 & 16" MBPs please. I want and need a laptop bigger than 15".

Yes Shaun, absolutely! And give us back the "save as" option in menu File. Could Apple ingineers think a bit more about people that also need to work with computers... And I don't want to speak about this supidity of color tags that has replaced the very practical coloring of files and folders in the Finder...
Maybe Apple will soon realize that if they loose markets shares, this is because many former Apple users, noting the constant drift (soft/hard) of apple products, prefer to turn to Linux on PC, as I think more and more to do...

 

[x0vash0x]

This statement I agree with. The money is not with "power users" apple knows this, and I can see them dumping the Mac Pro this year. To be honest they are better of not pretending they cater for everyone and focus on thier idevices, which I think will happen. The laptops have been becoming less and less pro every generation.

Old school users like myself will whine and complain on MR, but apple will follow the money, and that is not where our needs our, hence why I still have my 2012 Mac mini , and cannot believe in 2016 it's a better machine than the current mini....times change and so does apple
[doublepost=1465576699][/doublepost]

MagSafe will be gone sadly.

Interestingly enough, I honestly would prefer a Mac Mini at my work and an iPad Pro (9.7) for home usage. The problem is, by the time I get a Mac Mini + Monitor + iPad Pro, I'm looking at spending right around $1,600 ($700 + $300 + $600) which for that price I could just get a 13" rMBP. I think of all the computers Apple offers, the Mac Mini is the worst value for what you get. You're essentially paying for a MBA without the screen. Plus, the rMBP would out perform the Mac Mini.

 

[artlullaby]

It looks super awesome!!

 

[TMRJIJ]

tired memes are tired. let them rest.

Let me think about for a sec..

 

[Col4bin]

But in a news report, they could be referring to the financial 4th quarter or the calendar 4th quarter. So we may have to wait until December (although I expect it to be available for the holidays).

Good point. Had assumed OP was asking about Apple's Q4 financials specifically. This info as according to Apple's SEC filings. (Would imagine OP would know standard calendar quarters?)

 

[JamesPDX]

Why don't they just make a touch screen? This seems very amateurish and primitive. I know I know, here come the "derp I use my laptop at arms length and don't want to outstretch my arms for a touchscreen" crowd. Yeah like stretching your hand towards this touch panel will be much different. Man, give it up Apple and just put a touchscreen on your laptops and join everyone else in 2016 (well really 2012 or so).

It's an iPad hinged to another iPad. But with USB-C.

 

[MH01]

Interestingly enough, I honestly would prefer a Mac Mini at my work and an iPad Pro (9.7) for home usage. The problem is, by the time I get a Mac Mini + Monitor + iPad Pro, I'm looking at spending right around $1,600 ($700 + $300 + $600) which for that price I could just get a 13" rMBP. I think of all the computers Apple offers, the Mac Mini is the worst value for what you get. You're essentially paying for a MBA without the screen. Plus, the rMBP would out perform the Mac Mini.

Completely agree with you. Apple has killed the Mac mini on purpose, was an excellent machine in 2012, that would have been one of the best small factor desktop machines had they just updated the machine with the newer CPU instead of deciding to kill the performance.

A new Mac mini will no doubt look more like a Apple TV, with everything soldered.

 

[villicodelirant]

What a terrible gimmick, and reminiscent of this abomination as well.

I consider the traditional F keys to be superior because they offer tactile feedback.

 

[Mildredop]

What a terrible gimmick, and reminiscent of this abomination as well.

I consider the traditional F keys to be superior because they offer tactile feedback.

So Apple have even copied this idea.

 

[villicodelirant]

So Apple have even copied this idea.

Well, it's been around for quite a while.

Not exactly the same thing, but HP Pavilion machines circa 2007 did a low-tech version thereof:

 

[OS X Dude]

I just want a 13" with a quad-core i7 like the latest VAIOs have. I love my 15" MacBook Pro but I envy my girlfriend's 13" model something chronic. So light! They're both very thin now, so heating shouldn't be an issue, but I understand that battery life would suffer.

 

[cmaier]

What a terrible gimmick, and reminiscent of this abomination as well.

I consider the traditional F keys to be superior because they offer tactile feedback.

There will be tactile feedback. You heard it here first.

 

[Gameboy70]

Question for those who "love it": since there's no tactile feedback, why would you want to constantly have to look down at the keyboard to adjust things that should be easily adjusted on your screen?

If I want to adjust volume or screen or use media keys, I can use current keyboard just fine with the benefit of not having to look down.

The function keys are most certainly not burned into my muscle memory. I doubt most people use them frequently enough to hit them without looking down. Even Vim users who touch type often remap the Esc key to Caps Lock because the former is hit far less frequently than letters, numbers, and special characters.
[doublepost=1465680311][/doublepost]

Why don't they just make a touch screen? This seems very amateurish and primitive. I know I know, here come the "derp I use my laptop at arms length and don't want to outstretch my arms for a touchscreen" crowd.

You asked for it. I find the act of regularly raising my fingers above the plane of my wrist irritating, which is why I don't use tablet-and-keyboard setups for general purpose computing. If it was just a matter of extending my hands another inches, like you're implying, it wouldn't be an issue. In fact, that's precisely the use case the on-keyboard touchbar addresses.

 

[netdoc66]

IT has the potential to be cool but Apple will figure out how to hobby the thing you actually want and have you hoping they'll do it in a revised version of the thing that had potential. I'll wait.
[doublepost=1465695210][/doublepost]Hobble, dumb site won't even let me go back and fix my post.

 

[sanook997]

Fantastic, there's keys I never use, it will be great to customize that bar for individual preferences. No keys might be an issue for some but like all progress, it takes time to adapt.

 

[ShubhamBhatia]

Give me glass keys!

Yea , this macbook should have glass keys with built in screen into every key.

One could have keyboard in any language. Fully customisable. No need of backlit.

Or virtual keyboad, touch screen panel. Make it piano, drum, dj, and use it as normal laptop keys like iphone. In any language. Including gestures. 3d touch and all.

But , no

Look at this touch bar, its so soothing, its touch feels like you are sitting in actual bar and someone is touching you with peacock feather with butter melted on it. And yeah, there are new watch bands too.

 

[spinedoc77]

The function keys are most certainly not burned into my muscle memory. I doubt most people use them frequently enough to hit them without looking down. Even Vim users who touch type often remap the Esc key to Caps Lock because the former is hit far less frequently than letters, numbers, and special characters.
[doublepost=1465680311][/doublepost]
You asked for it. I find the act of regularly raising my fingers above the plane of my wrist irritating, which is why I don't use tablet-and-keyboard setups for general purpose computing. If it was just a matter of extending my hands another inches, like you're implying, it wouldn't be an issue. In fact, that's precisely the use case the on-keyboard touchbar addresses.

Yeah, I won't argue against personal preference, or how you use your laptop as that is very individual. For me, I find trackpads very irritating to my wrist and fingers, to the point where I know long term use will cause them harm. For example, I'm lying in bed with my SP4 propped up on my headboard, to use the trackpad would not make sense being so close to the screen. IMO what you say mainly applies to a completely classical position of using a laptop, sitting straight up with the laptop almost at arms length, such as you would use for word processing, coding, etc. But I'd opine that something like web browsing, as one example, is much more intuitive with a touch screen. Once again with respect to that classic laptop position where I can understand some might like the trackpad better.

I've converted many family and friends to touchscreens and they all rave about not knowing what they are missing. I'd never go back to not having a touchscreen. That's what always puzzles me, why not have a touchscreen and then you can use it if you need to, but if you don't then you don't have to. I don't think cost is the issue because the macbooks are so highly overpriced IMO, certainly priced higher than many touchscreen PC laptops, and Apple always adds new features but many times does not raise the price. Anyhow, it always puzzled me why some wouldn't want an extra choice.

 

[You are the One]

Would virtual keyboard eliminate keylogger hacks?

No

 

[villicodelirant]

There will be tactile feedback. You heard it here first.

It wouldn't be the first time that Apple has taken a broken idea and fixed it so that it's actually useful.

But, to be honest, it wouldn't be the first time, lately, that Apple jumps on whatever stupid bandwagon laptop manufacturers are on either.
[doublepost=1465733671][/doublepost]

For me, I find trackpads very irritating to my wrist and fingers, to the point where I know long term use will cause them harm.

That's the very reason all business laptops from every manufacturer (HP Elitebooks, AsusPro, Thinkpad, Dell Latitude) include a recessed pointing stick in the middle of the g-b-h cluster.

If you actually keep your laptop on your lap, especially in a cramped airplane seat, for long periods of time (as opposed to "on a desk, with your arms elongated") it is the only way to go - and the reason that keeps me away from buying an Apple laptop, in spite of the crushing superiority in all other areas.

 

[spinedoc77]

It wouldn't be the first time that Apple has taken a broken idea and fixed it so that it's actually useful.

But, to be honest, it wouldn't be the first time, lately, that Apple jumps on whatever stupid bandwagon laptop manufacturers are on either.
[doublepost=1465733671][/doublepost]

That's the very reason all business laptops from every manufacturer (HP Elitebooks, AsusPro, Thinkpad, Dell Latitude) include a recessed pointing stick in the middle of the g-b-h cluster.

If you actually keep your laptop on your lap, especially in a cramped airplane seat, for long periods of time (as opposed to "on a desk, with your arms elongated") it is the only way to go - and the reason that keeps me away from buying an Apple laptop, in spite of the crushing superiority in all other areas.

Those recessed pointing sticks are far worse than the trackpad, more akin to a medieval torture device. I'm surprised they still make those, I remember them on my old IBM laptops 15 years ago. I'd think if they were more ergonomically correct Apple would have implemented them, but they are terrible ergonomically. I still have nightmares about trying to fine tune the cursor with that nub, bleh. I honestly think that if you had that laptop on your lap in a cramped condition you would change your mind about touchscreens. Simply touch to scroll up and down, or touch exactly where that link it, etc.

 

[furi0usbee]

Yea , this macbook should have glass keys with built in screen into every key.

One could have keyboard in any language. Fully customisable. No need of backlit.

Or virtual keyboad, touch screen panel. Make it piano, drum, dj, and use it as normal laptop keys like iphone. In any language. Including gestures. 3d touch and all.

But , no

Look at this touch bar, its so soothing, its touch feels like you are sitting in actual bar and someone is touching you with peacock feather with butter melted on it. And yeah, there are new watch bands too.

I'll settle for simple glass keys...

 

[villicodelirant]

Those recessed pointing sticks are far worse than the trackpad, more akin to a medieval torture device.

This claim strikes me as extraordinary.
Simple question: why?

Assuming that the home row keyboard position is comfortable, the position of the pointing stick is comfortable by definition, since it's exactly the same, without moving your hands by as much as an inch.

I'm surprised they still make those

The day they stop making those I'm either going to retire or demand a tour bus with a desk and a desktop computer in it.
Luckily, if the world hasn't completely gone bonkers yet, that day is still far away.

I honestly think that if you had that laptop on your lap in a cramped condition you would change your mind about touchscreens. Simply touch to scroll up and down, or touch exactly where that link it, etc.

I see how this might be useful to somebody who uses his laptop as a web browsing device - but get a tablet/hybrid, then
My work mostly consists of typing in an Emacs window, occasionaly having to point and click somewhere else or scroll though a PDF: the optimal solution for my use case is therefore the one that minimizes the amount of distance from the homerow that my hands have to travel.

Anyway, obligatory PB100 commercial

 

[Tech198]

yucky !!

Looks like one of those touch based things from my old mobile Samsung days

Replacing mechanical keys may be ok, but would always mean it will be all too easy to accidentally touch a volume control during normal use...

I like to feel force on the key, vs just a easy swipe....... i feel i will always be adjusting something most of the time, and if its on a Mac, that will be all too easy... Could be useful, providing it gives useful information. (edits: umm)

 

[spinedoc77]

This claim strikes me as extraordinary.
Simple question: why?

Assuming that the home row keyboard position is comfortable, the position of the pointing stick is comfortable by definition, since it's exactly the same, without moving your hands by as much as an inch.



The day they stop making those I'm either going to retire or demand a tour bus with a desk and a desktop computer in it.
Luckily, if the world hasn't completely gone bonkers yet, that day is still far away.



I see how this might be useful to somebody who uses his laptop as a web browsing device - but get a tablet/hybrid, then
My work mostly consists of typing in an Emacs window, occasionaly having to point and click somewhere else or scroll though a PDF: the optimal solution for my use case is therefore the one that minimizes the amount of distance from the homerow that my hands have to travel.

Anyway, obligatory PB100 commercial

Well, when I've used those little nubs before I just feel like I am cramping my hand together and using my index finger in sort of a semi flexed rigid position, which after a short while just gets uncomfortable. Add to that just how fine and minute the nub makes your mouse movements and you have to really concentrate just to put the cursor where you want it. Multiply that cramped position and very fine movement thousands of times over the course of a day, or even hours and you can see how it becomes severely uncomfortable and the farthest thing from ergonomically correct you could find. This is without getting into the anatomy and physiology of it all in regards to repetitive stress injuries. That little nub just seems like a primitive throwback to a time where touchscreens didn't exist on laptops. Although it still looks painful for Kareem to use and I'll bet a touchscreen would be both much more comfortable, and also more healthy for him. God knows I couldn't contort my wrist and hand and keep my index finger flexed and minutely moving for hours on a plane like that.

In relation to how you use your laptop, yeah I see where you are coming from and totally agree. Everyone has different needs and it sounds like your setup works for you and like the rumored OLED strip would be nice for your type of work. But would you really say no to a touchscreen? Especially if it didn't affect price, if it was just an addon of a new model. I'll bet you would grow to find it useful in some capacity.

 

[Gameboy70]

Yeah, I won't argue against personal preference, or how you use your laptop as that is very individual. For me, I find trackpads very irritating to my wrist and fingers, to the point where I know long term use will cause them harm. For example, I'm lying in bed with my SP4 propped up on my headboard, to use the trackpad would not make sense being so close to the screen. IMO what you say mainly applies to a completely classical position of using a laptop, sitting straight up with the laptop almost at arms length, such as you would use for word processing, coding, etc. But I'd opine that something like web browsing, as one example, is much more intuitive with a touch screen. Once again with respect to that classic laptop position where I can understand some might like the trackpad better.

I have no problem with using tablets, particularly in portrait mode. Reclining against a headboard is a use case conducive to tablets, since your arm and the tablet are more or less parallel. On a desk with a clamshell device, touch navigation requires raising your hand above your wrist, which I find fatiguing over the course of a sitting. In the lap, the tablet and arm are parallel, just like in bed, so it's a non-issue there. So while I get the portability of tablets and the kinesthetic appeal of their touchscreens, I still prefer the ergonomics of laptops and don't see touch navigation as enough of a value add to increase the cost of the already expensive MB* line.

I've converted many family and friends to touchscreens and they all rave about not knowing what they are missing. I'd never go back to not having a touchscreen. That's what always puzzles me, why not have a touchscreen and then you can use it if you need to, but if you don't then you don't have to. I don't think cost is the issue because the macbooks are so highly overpriced IMO, certainly priced higher than many touchscreen PC laptops, and Apple always adds new features but many times does not raise the price. Anyhow, it always puzzled me why some wouldn't want an extra choice.

If MacBooks began featuring 180° hinges, like many Windows laptops, I could see the benefits. For a normal 90-120° screen orientation, touchscreen navigation just seems like a solution in search of a problem.