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Dream: Apple Makes Amends with 17in Pro

PoetCSW

PoetCSW

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 26, 2009
23
29
Austin, TX
In an alternate reality, Apple listens to creative pros and introduces a 17in MacBook Pro.

What would the machine (realistically) be? My wishlist.
  • Five hour battery is fine. Power cord is normal.
  • Real, killer PRO GPU.
  • User memory slots to 64GB.
  • Return of ports (for now).
  • Real, PowerBook era keyboard.
  • Retina ISP Matte screen option.
  • Desktop class CPU.
I still need Ethernet, USB A, and a digital audio. But, I know port needs change. MagSafe was a lifesaver more than once.

Would such a gesture matter? Too late?
 
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That would be glorious.

More of a mobile workstation type of computer rather than ultrabook.
 
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PoetCSW said:
In an alternate reality, Apple listens to creative pros and introduces a 17in MacBook Pro.

What would the machine (realistically) be? My wishlist.
  • Five hour battery is fine. Power cord is normal.
  • Real, killer PRO GPU.
  • User memory slots to 64GB.
  • Return of ports (for now).
  • Real, PowerBook era keyboard.
  • Retina ISP Matte screen option.
  • Desktop class CPU.
I still need Ethernet, USB A, and a digital audio. But, I know port needs change. MagSafe was a lifesaver more than once.

Would such a gesture matter? Too late?
Click to expand...
Dream on.
 
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PoetCSW said:
Five hour battery is fine. Power cord is normal.
Click to expand...
Then why the battery at all? I can understand that a notebook makes it easier to lug around so you can work somewhere else but having a battery when using the power cord is normal doesn't make much sense (if you want to use it as a UPS: you could buy one or it can have a smaller battery life of 20 minutes (which is the average time on battery power on the average UPS anyway)).
 
PoetCSW said:
In an alternate reality, Apple listens to creative pros and introduces a 17in MacBook Pro.

What would the machine (realistically) be? My wishlist.
  • Five hour battery is fine. Power cord is normal.
  • Real, killer PRO GPU.
  • User memory slots to 64GB.
  • Return of ports (for now).
  • Real, PowerBook era keyboard.
  • Retina ISP Matte screen option.
  • Desktop class CPU.
I still need Ethernet, USB A, and a digital audio. But, I know port needs change. MagSafe was a lifesaver more than once.

Would such a gesture matter? Too late?
Click to expand...
I'm sure they will get right on that, powered by unicorns and rainbows no doubt. :)
 
tumblr_m4l2wdcL8j1qz9spro1_400.jpg
 
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Petition with enough people/promises to buy to make it worth their time and resources....that means a small minority will be paying for the R&D on something like that. Meaning not cheap.
 
Capt T said:
Petition with enough people/promises to buy to make it worth their time and resources....that means a small minority will be paying for the R&D on something like that. Meaning not cheap.
Click to expand...

How much R&D is needed for a minor tweak of the MBP design? They could do it, no sweat.
 
gpat said:
How much R&D is needed for a minor tweak of the MBP design? They could do it, no sweat.
Click to expand...


Not sure...someone with more engineering background could answer that. But would imagine at the least hinge, test the body design, as if you are all asking for more desktop class laptop it will most likely be a different design. Software tweaks for yet another CPU and GPU. Which screen is best and keeps their 'retina' level of pixels...to name just a few things.
 
PoetCSW said:
In an alternate reality, Apple listens to creative pros and introduces a 17in MacBook Pro.

What would the machine (realistically) be? My wishlist.
  • Five hour battery is fine. Power cord is normal.
  • Real, killer PRO GPU.
  • User memory slots to 64GB.
  • Return of ports (for now).
  • Real, PowerBook era keyboard.
  • Retina ISP Matte screen option.
  • Desktop class CPU.
I still need Ethernet, USB A, and a digital audio. But, I know port needs change. MagSafe was a lifesaver more than once.

Would such a gesture matter? Too late?
Click to expand...

...but it wouldn't fit in your handbag?
 
From what I understand, digital audio is still in, via 3.5mm. As for the ethernet, I only use it time to time, so I'd rather have another thunderbolt port rather then a dedicated ethernet port.

What I really don't understand is Apple's decision to make it all USB-C, thunderbolt 3 ports. While 10 hr battery does make it less needed feature (a long with can charge with anywhere of those 4 ports, which makes it less likely to trip over the cord), it still is a damn good feature in good demand.

If Jobs was still here, he'd laugh at audience and say, "if you need ethernet, USB-A, magsafe ports, and SD card slots, we are also selling an attachable hub (just like this one) for $99" and moved on. And it would've made sense. Now Apple is missing out major accessory, not covering all their bases.

edit: apparently digital audio is not in! bummer.
 
Last edited:
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Capt T said:
Not sure...someone with more engineering background could answer that. But would imagine at the least hinge, test the body design, as if you are all asking for more desktop class laptop it will most likely be a different design. Software tweaks for yet another CPU and GPU. Which screen is best and keeps their 'retina' level of pixels...to name just a few things.
Click to expand...

Well considering Apple used to actually make a 17" MBP (my dad still has his) then it shouldn't be that big of an issue for them. I mean they are supposedly tech geniuses right? ;)
 
bigpoppamac31 said:
Well considering Apple used to actually make a 17" MBP (my dad still has his) then it shouldn't be that big of an issue for them. I mean they are supposedly tech geniuses right? ;)
Click to expand...

It'd be nothing for them to do it.

I was hoping it would come back once 17" Retina displays were available, but it looks like that isn't going to happen as they push more towards iPads.
 
Altis said:
It'd be nothing for them to do it.

I was hoping it would come back once 17" Retina displays were available, but it looks like that isn't going to happen as they push more towards iPads.
Click to expand...

True. A 17" would be sweet. I wouldn't need to have an external monitor when at a desk and it can still be light enough to take on the go.
 
bigpoppamac31 said:
True. A 17" would be sweet. I wouldn't need to have an external monitor when at a desk and it can still be light enough to take on the go.
Click to expand...

I use the 2010 17" now as my mobile device. It's a bit bulky and heavy... but if they had one at around 5 pounds and slimmed up the body and bezels, it'd be more than portable enough.

Having the screen real estate on the go is outstanding... especially with side-by-side documents.
 
Altis said:
I use the 2010 17" now as my mobile device. It's a bit bulky and heavy... but if they had one at around 5 pounds and slimmed up the body and bezels, it'd be more than portable enough.

Having the screen real estate on the go is outstanding... especially with side-by-side documents.
Click to expand...

True that. And they could make the display 4K.
 
I would love them to bring back the 17". Doubtful though. :(
 
J D A said:
This. No one would buy this garbage. This is essentially what the OP is asking for.

I mean people may but there's no way in hell apple would make a profit on it. I guarantee it would encroach on the Mac Pro line.
Click to expand...

See above...beaten to it :)
 
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Well, now that the world is officially crazy, I can't totally dismiss the possibility of this happening
 
It shall be named the MacBook Ultra. And it shall cost the GDP of a small country to buy.
 
Its a pipe dream, Apple killed it off for a reason and they don't think that reason has changed, otherwise they would have brought it back, if they thought it would make them money.
 
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