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Five things still missing from Apple MacBooks

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Iphone3gs

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 10, 2009
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http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10264671-1.html

Unless you've been living under a rock (or in Redmond), you've no doubt seen the flood of product news coming from Apple's WWDC 2009 conference--from the new iPhone 3G S to an entire line of revamped MacBook laptops.

While we're down with the new SD card slots and lower prices (see reviews for three of the new MacBooks here), there are still a few items on our MacBook wish list:

Matte screen options
Despite the fact that nearly every serious laptop user we know prefers matte, non-glossy screens, only Apple's 17-inch MacBook Pro offers a matte option--in the form of a $50 anti-glare coating add-on.

Especially with the current models' edge-to-edge glass, popping open a MacBook outdoors (or in an overlit room) is just asking for trouble. Sure, glossy screens make colors pop and movies more dramatic--but we'd like to have the option of choosing a matte screen anyway (and not for $50, either).

Blu-ray drives
While high-capacity Blu-ray drives aren't quite a necessity, the format is slowing gaining a foothold. Many inexpensive Windows laptops at least offer it as an option, and many high-end laptops in the MacBook's price range include a Blu-ray drive by default.

Leaving aside the idea of having a high-capacity optical backup capability, Blu-ray seems like a natural fit for the MacBook's multimedia-friendly vibe.

Mobile broadband options
Another widespread option from most PC makers. We're slowing getting to the point where having a mobile broadband account connected to your laptop is just a common tool, rather than an exotic novelty--especially with AT&T's iPhone tethering plan not yet available.

While having to choose one carrier's antenna over another is a hassle, we found the built-in Verizon 3G on the HP Mini 1151nr Netbook to be "an obvious mashup of two useful technologies."

HDMI outputs
Mini DisplayPort is Apple's video connection of choice, and we've also seen a push towards it from PC makers such as Dell. But, few of us have an external display with DisplayPort--HDMI, VGA, and even DVI are all more common.

Apple offers some helpful adapters (at $29 each) for DVI and VGA--but no way to connect a new MacBook to an HDMI-equipped TV, for example. Fortunately, some third-party vendors now offer a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter for around $15.

Touch screens
If we had a dime for every blog rumor about an Apple tablet we've seen, we'd have at least enough for a large soy-based coffee beverage from Starbucks. Plus, Apple has already proven it's mastered the touch screen in the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Actually, someone has already done this, in a way. Axiotron makes custom MacBook-based tablets by buying stock MacBooks, taking them apart, and rebuilding them as tablet PCs.

Of course, we haven't missed these features enough to keep us from bestowing the coveted Editors' Choice award on the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros. What's on your list of missing MacBook features? Let us know below!
Click to expand...
 
When you copy an article to a forum, it's good form to include the link from where you took it.
 
1680x1050 on the 15" MBPs.

I'd actually prefer 1440x900 on the 13" MBPs and 1920x1200 on the 15" MBPs but that's even less likely to happen.
 
What is up with the touch screen fetish? Am I the only one who doesn't get it?

And do they even make a slot loading Blu-Ray drive? Actually, I think they do...someone on this form linked to a company who made them...they start at $1,000. Ah, no thanks.
 
Poirot818 said:
1680x1050 on the 15" MBPs.

I'd actually prefer 1440x900 on the 13" MBPs and 1920x1200 on the 15" MBPs but that's even less likely to happen.
Click to expand...

I agree. Although I'm not sure 1920x1200 on a 15" screen would be totally feasible - that would make for awfully small content. There must be a point where higher resolution becomes unfeasible because things just get too small. But higher res screens in the 13" and 15" would be great...
 
MBP's need the following options:

1. Matte...
2. Better resolutions, 15" and 13" really...
3. More USB/FireWire ports
4. Cheaper CPU upgrades from Apple
5. GPU options...nVidia vs. ATI
6. 3G Card thing...forget the name
7. Line in port needs to come back

Things MBP doesn't need:

1. Blu-Ray...say goodbye to the 8 hour battery
2. HDMI...not needed, especially since Apple just added the mini-port
3. SD reader
 
Well, have you thought about these?

Matte screen options
What portion of PC laptops have that option?

Blu-ray
Most people don't use optical drives anymore. Would be nice but HD video files work fine on Macs. No need to lug disks around.

Mobile broadband options
It's call an iPhone (and third party tethering app)

HDMI
Perhaps. However dVI to HDMI cable is $6, and I connect to sound system via a firewire sound card.

Touch screens
It's a novalty that arn't used much on laptops. On wintels their drives are prone to crashing.
 
Consultant said:
Perhaps. However dVI to HDMI cable is $6, and I connect to sound system via a firewire sound card.
Click to expand...

I think once HDMI connectors (that actually pipe audio) are standard on computers, they'll become a huge convenience -- for instance, when eventually it becomes standard practice to plug into a projector for presentations with HDMI, there will be no more "oh, I don't have sound!" issues. Also, you know, I'm always a fan of less cables. :eek: (FWIW I do use HDMI + an audio cable on my EeeBox right now, I think).
 
^ it's going to be forever before projectors have HDMI...at least at universities.

There are just far to many people with VGA output on their laptops
 
zw-gator said:
What is up with the touch screen fetish? Am I the only one who doesn't get it?
Click to expand...

It seems to be the way technology naturally evolves. In some cases the earlier version has a bit more of a learning curve; however, is more efficient.

Case in point - The Trackpoint. Remember these before the touchpad days? You can only find them in business laptops today; most notably - Lenovo. The trackpoint has a steeper learning curve but is far more efficient than a trackpad or even mouse for a touch typist.

Same thing can be said for touch screen. I can envision a future where touch screens are the norm and keyboards are legacy, business-only use. Just like the trackpoint - the keyboard is far more efficient than any touch screen will be. But the user has a learning curve - they have to learn how to type. The touch screen will be more intuitive but less efficient.

Sometimes less is more but these examples prove that less is less.
 
Small correction to c-net article

rdowns said:
Despite the fact that nearly every serious laptop user we know prefers matte, non-glossy screens, only Apple's 17-inch MacBook Pro offers a matte option--in the form of a $50 anti-glare coating add-on.
Click to expand...

According to the guy at the Apple Store in my area, the anti-glare screen on the 17" MacBook Pro isn't "added on." Instead, he claims that it is the glossy, glass screen that is added on to the matte. In other words, all of the glossy screens on Apple's notebooks start off as matte but then Apple adds a thin sheet of glass over it to produce the glossy screen. I believe it you look at a matte 17" MBP, you'll notice that the screen is more recessed compared to its glossy counterpart (i.e., the matte screen has space to add the glass covering).
 
macDonalds said:
It seems to be the way technology naturally evolves. In some cases the earlier version has a bit more of a learning curve; however, is more efficient.

Case in point - The Trackpoint. Remember these before the touchpad days? You can only find them in business laptops today; most notably - Lenovo. The trackpoint has a steeper learning curve but is far more efficient than a trackpad or even mouse for a touch typist.

Same thing can be said for touch screen. I can envision a future where touch screens are the norm and keyboards are legacy, business-only use. Just like the trackpoint - the keyboard is far more efficient than any touch screen will be. But the user has a learning curve - they have to learn how to type. The touch screen will be more intuitive but less efficient.

Sometimes less is more but these examples prove that less is less.
Click to expand...

Ok, so we're talking about a tablet, not a laptop.

Because with a laptop, just the simple ergonomics don't make any since for a touch screen on a laptop.

If typing isn't good for your wrists, imagine what constantly having your arm up and having to point and move very small objects would do to your shoulder
 
zw-gator said:
Ok, so we're talking about a tablet, not a laptop.

Because with a laptop, just the simple ergonomics don't make any since for a touch screen on a laptop.

If typing isn't good for your wrists, imagine what constantly having your arm up and having to point and move very small objects would do to your shoulder
Click to expand...

It would give you nicely toned muscles. :p
 
- Needs screen options like PC makers give you (high res, high color, matte)
- HDMI, nobody can use that mini display port garbage. Its like they intentionally made a port that cant be used without buying adapters.
- Express card
 
Consultant said:
Blu-ray
Most people don't use optical drives anymore. Would be nice but HD video files work fine on Macs. No need to lug disks around.
Click to expand...

I know because it takes far too much effort to carry a one ounce disc. Most people? Really? I'd like to see some statistics on that. :) I could certainly say people enjoy watching DVDs and BluRay movies on their computer because not everyone has 20Mbps connections.

All I want is options. I want the option to add a BluRay. I want the option to swap DisplayPort for DVI. I want the option to change the chiclet keyboard to the older one. Unfortunately this won't happen.
 
"Matte screen options
Despite the fact that nearly every serious laptop user we know prefers matte, non-glossy screens...."

There's some quality reporting right there :rolleyes:

And what is this love affair from people over HDMI? I really don't get it.
 
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