The powerbook is already a very nice laptop, but there's always room for improvement. In this post I look at how Apple might change the powerbook in its next update.
CPU
More processor power is always good, however as there are already numerous threads on this subject, there seems little point in bringing them all up again. As fast as possible (without setting fire to my lap or eating all the battery). Perhaps Apple should have different clock speeds for battery/mains use?
Screen
The powerbook screen is nice, but it could have a better viewing angle. As for a higher resolution, I'm not sure. I wouldn't want the screen to be physically any larger, so it would be a matter of squeezing more pixels into the same space, how's about upping the resolution to 1400x1024?
Design and Build
This is one of the most important aspects of the powerbook. While the form factor is nice, it definitely needs to be tougher, after all laptops are bound to get a few knocks and bumps. The paintwork is far too fragile, I'd do away with the painted exterior totally. I expect Apple will do some sort of redesign soon as it is several years since the Ti was introduced.
Graphics
The new powerbook already has the fastest mobile graphics card there is, Apple should just make sure they keep up with developments.
Optical Drive
The powerbook already has DVD burning, but it could be a bit faster, the same applies to CD burning. Otherwise I can't see much room for improvement here, but whatever they do it should stay slot loading.
Ethernet and Modem
The powerbook already has gigabit ethernet, I can't see any need for improvement here. The modem can't really be improved, Apple should just be sure to continue to include one.
Battery Life
Battery life is already pretty impressive, but you can always use more. With improvements in motherboards and integration of airport there ought to be a bit more space for a bigger battery, at present 5 hours is the claimed life (which you can just about get if you avoid spinning any discs), it would be nice to push that nearer to 8.
Camera
A basic integrated stills/video camera would be a great addition IMHO. Video conferencing and chat are going to increase in future. Integrating this with iChat would make sense.
Hard Drive
Bigger is obviously better, but faster is important too. from the evidence I've seen it was a mistake for Apple to drop the faster RPM drives from the new models. To conserve battery life couldn't they have a drive the spins at a lower speed when on battery, reverting to full speed when on the mains?
Wireless
Apple should integrate bluetooth and airport onto the motherboard and increase the airport range of the powerbook. Integrating airport into the motherboard ought to save space and money. With bluetooth onboard it should be possible to use the Internet via your mobile, something that with the availability of GPRS is a reasonable proposition.
Ports
When firewire2 arrives it would obviously good to have this integrated, but I also think Apple should include USB2. Perhaps we could also have at least one USB port on the side of the machine where it's easier to access (like the iBook). A line out would be nice.
keyboard
The keyboard could be better, it could take up a greater width of the laptop.
RAM
Apple should be more generous with RAM, I'd expect 512 MB on the low end model these days, and 1 GB on the high end, with support for up to 2 GB of RAM.
Price
It's no good having a fantastic laptop if no one can afford it. Apple have moved in the right direction recently, but I'd like to see the low end model come down below $2000/£1400.
CPU
More processor power is always good, however as there are already numerous threads on this subject, there seems little point in bringing them all up again. As fast as possible (without setting fire to my lap or eating all the battery). Perhaps Apple should have different clock speeds for battery/mains use?
Screen
The powerbook screen is nice, but it could have a better viewing angle. As for a higher resolution, I'm not sure. I wouldn't want the screen to be physically any larger, so it would be a matter of squeezing more pixels into the same space, how's about upping the resolution to 1400x1024?
Design and Build
This is one of the most important aspects of the powerbook. While the form factor is nice, it definitely needs to be tougher, after all laptops are bound to get a few knocks and bumps. The paintwork is far too fragile, I'd do away with the painted exterior totally. I expect Apple will do some sort of redesign soon as it is several years since the Ti was introduced.
Graphics
The new powerbook already has the fastest mobile graphics card there is, Apple should just make sure they keep up with developments.
Optical Drive
The powerbook already has DVD burning, but it could be a bit faster, the same applies to CD burning. Otherwise I can't see much room for improvement here, but whatever they do it should stay slot loading.
Ethernet and Modem
The powerbook already has gigabit ethernet, I can't see any need for improvement here. The modem can't really be improved, Apple should just be sure to continue to include one.
Battery Life
Battery life is already pretty impressive, but you can always use more. With improvements in motherboards and integration of airport there ought to be a bit more space for a bigger battery, at present 5 hours is the claimed life (which you can just about get if you avoid spinning any discs), it would be nice to push that nearer to 8.
Camera
A basic integrated stills/video camera would be a great addition IMHO. Video conferencing and chat are going to increase in future. Integrating this with iChat would make sense.
Hard Drive
Bigger is obviously better, but faster is important too. from the evidence I've seen it was a mistake for Apple to drop the faster RPM drives from the new models. To conserve battery life couldn't they have a drive the spins at a lower speed when on battery, reverting to full speed when on the mains?
Wireless
Apple should integrate bluetooth and airport onto the motherboard and increase the airport range of the powerbook. Integrating airport into the motherboard ought to save space and money. With bluetooth onboard it should be possible to use the Internet via your mobile, something that with the availability of GPRS is a reasonable proposition.
Ports
When firewire2 arrives it would obviously good to have this integrated, but I also think Apple should include USB2. Perhaps we could also have at least one USB port on the side of the machine where it's easier to access (like the iBook). A line out would be nice.
keyboard
The keyboard could be better, it could take up a greater width of the laptop.
RAM
Apple should be more generous with RAM, I'd expect 512 MB on the low end model these days, and 1 GB on the high end, with support for up to 2 GB of RAM.
Price
It's no good having a fantastic laptop if no one can afford it. Apple have moved in the right direction recently, but I'd like to see the low end model come down below $2000/£1400.