I would buy a MBP again if Apple ditches the aluminum unibody and the glossy screen.

[thekev]

Not only that.

Carbon fiber facts:
- Requires thicker construction for the same strength, compared with Duralumin, which has a strength comparable to some steels
- Not very shock resistant. Breaks easily.
- Does not conduct heat as good as aluminum or copper. Aluminum is the second best heat conducting (widely used) metal after copper.
- As mentioned above, recycling is difficult and not cost effective.
- Some forms of sturdy designs are impossible with carbon fibers.
- Carbon fibers are probably more expensive than "standard" duralumin.
- ...

The use of carbon fiber is quite popular for certain things. Tripods and bicycle frames use carbon fiber quite often because it's light. I don't know that it would significantly impact the weight with a laptop. The macbook pros and airs don't use a huge amount of aluminum in their end designs. They appear to be milled down from a larger block which can be expensive, but the lack of curvature in the design probably helps considerably there.

Like you were saying, a carbon fiber shell would mean you could rest it on your lap without feeling much of the heat. It would still need to be directed away from the components, so it's possible that the machine would require greater density to allow for larger fans, but I'm just speculating here. The real cost in either of these things is processing, and the cnc design does cost more to produce than the older plating design, but Apple raised the price at the time to compensate for this and retain a comparable margin.

 

[diehldun]

I think the aluminum unibody is FAR better than whatever plastic they used on those white boxes before. It looks better, it feels better, and it is less likely to crack. You have to be careless to get a dent in it, or have to be around careless people.

While I agree the 13" aluminum unibody design is far more attractive than the previous plastic 13" MacBooks, a lot of us (myself included) came from the previous 15" MBP design - which in my opinion - was one of the most attractive laptop designs on the market. And still is.

While I am typing this now on a 15" unibody MBP, it's been over a year since I got this and it still looks bigger, feels bigger, seems bulkier, and 'less professional' than my previous MBP. The ridiculously-thick black bezel around the screen doesn't help with the looks, and exacerbates the increased footprint.

If only I didn't have so many NVIDIA graphics card issues, I would still be using my circa-2007 MBP today instead of this. That was one of the best Apple industrial designs IMO.

I look forward to the redesign of this unibody aluminum MBP ASAP.

 

[Alaerian]

If Apple decides to go carbon fiber, then they sure as hell better figure out a way to cover it up.

That **** is UGLY.

 

[GuitarG20]

I haven't dropped a laptop since January 2010, but it's still better to have the peace of mind. Thinkpads with their magnesium rollcages offer that. MBPs typically don't.

okay, i couldn't help but laugh when I read this part. who uses a rollcage to describe a computer? That's mostly a car term. a computer doesn't roll onto it's top. only cars do that. unless the computer is being abused.

 

[7even]

I went Thinkpad -> MBP and never looked back. Can't stand the creaky bendy plastic they use on Thinkpads, as rugged as it is...

If Apple decides to go carbon fiber, then they sure as hell better figure out a way to cover it up.

That **** is UGLY.

CF kicks ass

 

[thundersteele]

My favorite laptop design is still the original Sony Vaio Z1. Had it for 7 years, no scratches or dents or anything, the hinges still hold the screen up, and it's now being used by a friend. The case was also magnesium based, and the design very close to what Apple later adapted for the Air... quite a bit thicker of course.

The Lenovo thinkpad series unfortunately doesn't even try to look appealing. Spill resistance and easy repairs is nice, but in the end I decided that I didn't buy a laptop in order to drop it or to pour water into the keyboard.

 

[thekev]

My favorite laptop design is still the original Sony Vaio Z1. Had it for 7 years, no scratches or dents or anything, the hinges still hold the screen up, and it's now being used by a friend. The case was also magnesium based, and the design very close to what Apple later adapted for the Air... quite a bit thicker of course.

The Lenovo thinkpad series unfortunately doesn't even try to look appealing. Spill resistance and easy repairs is nice, but in the end I decided that I didn't buy a laptop in order to drop it or to pour water into the keyboard.

No one buys a computer to abuse it . Look at how many threads pop up each week. None of them gave their computer a drop test after purchasing it. These are the kinds of features that everyone swears they won't need until an accident happens. Computers are expensive and we depend on them (too much). I think it's a valid design feature, but if Apple engineered any kind of minor holes or vents for liquid to escape, everyone would complain that it ruins the look.

Personally if I cared about computer aesthetics, I'd want to personalize them. It's boring worrying about the looks if they all look the same anyway.

 

[thundersteele]

No one buys a computer to abuse it . Look at how many threads pop up each week. None of them gave their computer a drop test after purchasing it. These are the kinds of features that everyone swears they won't need until an accident happens. Computers are expensive and we depend on them (too much). I think it's a valid design feature, but if Apple engineered any kind of minor holes or vents for liquid to escape, everyone would complain that it ruins the look.

I wouldn't mind apple including spill-resistance. I looked into the Thinkpad T520 before buying the MBP. Then I decided that I would give my everyday experience priority over a potential one-time accident. I didn't want to put up with a Windows/Linux dual boot system and an in my opinion ugly design (+ questionable touchpad quality), just to know that in the unlikely event of a spill I have a bigger chance of not damaging my system.

Also there's always an option to buy accidental insurance - even Thinkpads are not waterproof and will die if liquid gets into the wrong opening.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Personally if I cared about computer aesthetics, I'd want to personalize them. It's boring worrying about the looks if they all look the same anyway.

If only Apple would provide a means to do this without the computer looking tacky or a teenage kid's computer (stickers), I would be all over this. Snap-On Cases add too much bulk, and make it feel chintzy. (The best way would be Apple selling the MacBook Pro in multiple colors like they did/do with the iPod Mini and Nano, a way to personalize it, while still looking professional in the field).

I heard Colorware unfortunately ruins your warranty, and I know a guy who had it sent in, only to have it come back, the people at CW didn't put anything back in the right place and it overheated itself and is now a fancy doorstop. Not to mention it is expensive just to change the colors of the MacBook.

 

[Jake99]

@ original poster, Carbon fiber would not be great for heat dissipation like aluminum is, and its a whole different look. Reading your initial statement, you don't like the MacBook - so don't buy one. I think if it was redesigned for your tastes, it would not be the machine that so many of us love. Honestly I think you are better going with something else.

The aluminum chassis is gorgeous, lightweight, and very strong. Carved from a solid block of aluminum. Its part art form and part function. A lot of people appreciate that, others don't. But judging from sales it stikes a chord with a lot of people.

If you are dropping your macbook badly enough to put big dents in it, I wonder what that same drop would do to a plastic case?

If you want to get a laptop that you can drop over and over and abuse, buy some kind of hardened tough book or something. I have been using portable PC's since they were invented, and I have never dropped a laptop in a bad enough way to cause it any real damage.

Or, you can get many 3rd party cases that will snap over top of your macbook case and give you the added protection. I usually carry mine in a nice leather sleeve that protects it quite well when transporting it between meetings, etc.

I can't imagine going to a Lenovo laptop from a MacBook. I have a Lenovo as my assigned work laptop and frankly, compared to my personal MacBook, I think the Lenovo machine sucks. It feels like a cheap piece of junk in comparison. The display is not as nice. The plastic looks like crap. The chassis squeaks and creaks, every fingerprint shows, the touchpad is not even in the same universe as the multi-touch pad on a macbook.

The glossy screen on the macbook is not a problem for me, I use my PC indoors and its never an issue. I like the way it looks and TBH I don't notice any glare or anything. Love the current macbook pro design.

 

[george-brooks]

I love the design of the unibody! Have had way fewer dent problems than with the previous powerbook design, actually. Agree about the glossy screen though. Thank goodness for hi-res antiglare, but I think the black bezel looks very nice and I miss it from my old glossy-screened MBP.

 

[gadgetlover77]

I can't imagine going to a Lenovo laptop from a MacBook. I have a Lenovo as my assigned work laptop and frankly, compared to my personal MacBook, I think the Lenovo machine sucks. It feels like a cheap piece of junk in comparison. The display is not as nice. The plastic looks like crap. The chassis squeaks and creaks, every fingerprint shows, the touchpad is not even in the same universe as the multi-touch pad on a macbook.

I was on MacRumors to investigate Lion installation issues and came across this thread.

I just switched to ThinkPads about a couple of months ago with my x220, and I absolutely love it. I've been using Macs since System 7 (Centris 605 - my brother purchased one for me using an educational discount, and it came with a cool CD with Radiohead's Creep music video) with an occasional PC sprinkled in. With a mSata installed, my x220 has been amazing, and there some things that I like with Win 7 over Mac OS X now.

My main reasons for switching to Windows 7 is for the same reasons others on this forum have mentioned, including glossy screens (a matte IPS is head and shoulders better than the 13" MBP glossy IMO), the heat and denting issues. My last two MBPs just didn't last very long, and my only Mac now is a white MacBook with random chips in the plastic. It's only been six months, but I am pretty confident that this x220 will be more durable.

As for the looks of the x220, the black old school looks has grown on me. Additionally, it's hard not to notice that most people in the business class lounges sport them. The trackpad is tiny and is inferior to the MBP. However, I have grown to love the red nub which I find more accurate (and more convenient when typing longer docs).

Just wanted to give my two cents as a former Mac user converted to a ThinkPad fan. Macs are still great machines, but I no longer think they hold the monopoly on durability, features or style. At the same time, Macs are still only one of three brands I will ever purchase from (assuming other manufacturers don't improve): ThinkPads, Apple and Vaios.

 

[Skika]

The aluminum unibody and the glass screen are one of my favorite features of the MBP.

 

[natejohnstone@g]

The issue with the aluminum unibody is:

1. It offers no shock protection for internal components when dropped.
2. It dents quite easily.

Thinkpads are pretty ugly, but they do a better job when it comes to these two complaints I have about the unibody design.

I more or less agree with this. Though of course there are any number of cases and shells that you can buy if you want your MBP/A to be more rugged.

The "hot" factor is not an issue. You WANT the outside of your laptop to get hot, that means it's syphoning heat from the inside of your machine. That's a good thing, and aluminum transfers heat very quickly.

Anyone using a laptop for prolonged periods or graphics-card intensive tasks should be using a cooling pad anyway, no matter what brand of laptop you have.

 

[Jake99]

@ Gadgetlover, I agree Sony makes some nice laptops, prior to my discovery of using a Mac, I would buy a Vaio for my Windows laptop every time. The Sony's often feature a glossy display and I did not mind it then either.

In terms of liking the Lenovo's.....at the end of the day its all about your personal tastes. There is no definitive "right" or "wrong" when it comes to your personal choice. If you like the Lenovo's, fine with me - its good to have a brand and a style that you feel happy with.

I can't stand that nub as a navigation tool. On my Lenovo the rubber tip falls off a lot when I try to use it. On the one I have (new model), instead of a backlit keyboard this is a single little LED at the top of the screen that shines down over the monitor down to the keys, and short of washes out the display just a little and its a distraction to the eye - personally I find that really annoying but its better than nothing I suppose.

Most big companies are using windows PC's so having a Mac is not even an option. When I bring in my 13" MBP to work though, a lot of people comment on it and it draws a lot of interest, some people ask me if the company is now issuing Mac's (in a hopeful way...lol) and are bummed when I tell them that the answer is "no" and its just my personal machine.

Well, anyway, like I said - glad you have your own personal favorite that you feel good about.

And coming into a Mac forum to say you like Win 7 better than OSX, I don't think you are going to win many people over...lol

I was a windows user since it was invented, literally. Until 2 years ago when I got my wife an iMac because she wanted something easier to use. Once I started messing with OSX I fell in love with it. To me, Win 7 is a pale immitation of OSX in terms of the UI. But, I don't want to get into the old, old, classic arguments about windows vs OSX, open vs closed, blah blah blah. I have never seen anyone who started on opposite ends of that argument, ever change anyone's mind so that argument has become extremely boring to me.

But I will say that since I have started using Mac's I have been just delighted with the craftsmanship and the design and the software, and the entire paradigm. I think a lot of people are coming to the same conclusion that I am, this is why Apple is growing in market share and popularity, and in general enjoying so much success.

 

[mscice]

I have to say that I used my friends MBP 2011 with glossy screen (while I have 2008 MBP with matte) & I can not get used to it at all (to his glossy)

Working inside is one thing having a glossy screen, but outside OMG horrible, while in sun you can't see anything, plus you see all the smudges and finger stains...

I have to also add that my eyes start to hurt while looking at a glossy screen, Im glad i paid that extra money for matte!

This post was not to flame anyone, who loves glossy.. just wanted to post what i felt while using a glossy MBP.


As for unibody, its a nice technology/innovation... id keep it.

 

[bdodds1985]

...which is only available in the 15-inch/17-inch models.

the macbook air doesnt have the glass screen right? and its a 13". there ya go!

the unibody is a sleek professional design. and unlike a plastic laptop, which will crack or break instead of "denting" the aluminum is very sturdy.

its good to know your not a fanboy, but seriously, i think most are in agreement that if you dont like the glossy screen, get the anti glare. thats why they offer it.

 

[satchow]

I like all the branding n the Thinkpad T420, reminds me of Nascar and Soccer.

 

[Naimfan]

I would consider buying another Mac during that timeframe - but only if Apple ditches the glossy screen and the aluminum unibody in favor of matte screens and a chassis that doesn't dent as easily. Anyone else on me with this one?

No.

Apple and I don't care what you think. If you're happier with a Thinkpad, be happy.

 

[KohPhiPhi]

I am partially with you: I love the unibody design, but I hate the glassy screen.

 

[bdodds1985]

I am partially with you: I love the unibody design, but I hate the glassy screen.

it would be nice if they offered the upgrade for the 13". but...
for me personally i would never own a laptop that small.

 

[therealseebs]

if you don't drop your laptop it's a nonissue.

Makes me wonder why those idiot car manufacturers make "crumple zones". If you don't crash your car it's a nonissue.

 

[Jiten]

Makes me wonder why those idiot car manufacturers make "crumple zones". If you don't crash your car it's a nonissue.

We don't drive our laptops around at 50 MPH.

 

[-tWv-]

We don't drive our laptops around at 50 MPH.

Exactly..

If you wan't your laptop with crumple zones, go for it.

 

[thundersteele]

The crumple zone is to protect the passenger, not to protect the car. This is a bad analogy. The car itself would be much better off with a rigid exterior frame that protects the engine and other expensive components in case of a crash.