Is it just me or does it seem everyone wants the MBP to stay the same?

[Westsider 4 Mac]

Whatever Apple does...

... I hope that they continue to make timeless looking notebooks. The notebook look is still the defacto TV/Commercial look of laptops.

 

[stryfe137]

What? What does a large trackpad have to do with expense? I think the trackpad is pretty big already, it's bigger than most PC's trackpads. (if not all)
Also, I think the case is pretty strong. I read a thread on here a while ago about a guy who ran over his MBP with a car and it still worked, the case was only bent a little.

Also, the latch on the MBP is a partial maglatch. The clips swing down via a magnet when it gets close to closing, play with your lid and you will see it.

the design of the mba is clearly going to influence the design of the macbook pro (appleinsider also says so). multitouch is easier if you have a larger trackpad. if you look at apple's patents over the the last year, there was one that looked the most detailed & realistic. look at the one with dictionary of multitouch inputs.

logically you cannot have a cheaper, less powerful machine have features that the most expensive laptop does not. this is going to be apple's plan for multitouch laptops (as compared to windows 7 whose idea is worse). there will be more trackpad inputs as apple progresses in 10.? releases.

i'm not complaining about the case but a lot of people on the forums have said that the macbook air case is stronger. i'm just saying why. also people have complained on the forums have complained (not me) that the mbp case is easily bent. they way they solved the conceived problem was by adding steel into the case.

as for the maglatch, any mechanical latches allows something else on the
machine to break which is why they chose no latches on the mba.

 

[stryfe137]

Aesthetically I like the current design, even the trackpad really is big enough. The keyboard is fine, designwise and responsively. Round slightly the top edge where the palmrest and palms/wrists come in contact - the sharpish edge has bugged me slightly. It would be nice if the user surfaces (keyboard/palmrest, etc. were actually metal and not colored plastic. The textured paint on the keys, especially the spacebar seems to wear faster than I'd like, but I am a prolific typist so maybe that's asking a bit much.

It's a pro model - so make the hard drive user accessible for upgrades, like the A series IBM Thinkpads. One screw, pull the side latch and out she comes, remove hd from carrier (four screws,) replace w/ new drive, insert into laptop, one screw (can use a coin) and you're done. Also, some design that would allow the optical drive bay to be upgraded with newer drives, like blueray or faster drives in the future. IBM had this feature on their pro-laptops for years called the ultrabay 2000, and tons of peripherals could be swapped out there, including extra battery. Since it's a "pro" machine, and Apple is looking at penetrating the enterprise market, don't worry about making it thinner, just make it more durable, and easily serviced by IT departments with quick-replace parts (more modular.)

Also, a HD variant on the 15.4" model.

Finally, perhaps a redesign on the hinge mechanism to allow the screen to be tilted back at a more radical angle.

So, to summarize.... make it tougher, more modular for user/IT upgrades, HD and better hinge angles. No chicklet keyboards, default model remains matte display, slightly softened edges, maintain minimalist design.

i agree with you on the hard drive. if anything the macbook should be harder to take apart than the mbp. to me, personally, the trackpad is going to have to be larger for future trackpad inputs. blu-ray is probably going to be an option, but it will be expensive and kill battery life. the mbp keyboard is colored plastic but chances are that it will look like the mba design on the next revision.

i don't see apple doing the ultrabay thing,though, because they like keeping things simple for the customer.

 

[Chairman Plow]

I'm a fan of the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' line of thinking. I think the MBP is fine the way it is, so why change it? Sure, you need to make adjustments based on technology changes (a larger trackpad for multi-touch, new/different ports, thinner case as newer tech allows, etc.). But changing the look for change's sake seems like a waste. And it's such a beautiful machine right now.

I certainly agree.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I really hope they don't put Mac Book keys on the Mac Book Pro

They better not any way.

 

[student_trap]

I don't think so, a lot of powerbooks had black keyboards for some time (up until powerbook g3 I think)

Example:

dont forget the tibook:

 

[jnc]

PB with black keyboard....

OP must be a noob -.-

Anyway, agreed with their main point... every time I hear "it's time" for a new MBP design, or that it's "dated"... well, all that means is Apple must have been 6 years ahead, because the MBP still looks like the slickest machine available, and most mockups are usually mild variants of it, just with ridiculous tack-ons.

I can't think of what it should have added exterior-wise beyond a magnetic latch and larger trackpad to be more MT gesture-friendly. I could take or leave MacBook keys, so long as they don't clash horribly a la MacBook Air. The black keys are jarring to a deal-breaking degree. Almost. I'd really rather they didn't bring that look back, all black or nothing at all black! Same with those new iMacs.... mistaaaake. But what do I know.

Thinner, lighter, always good bonuses. Thinner is tough with full size ports and SuperDrive, but maybe lighter can be done more easily. 1680x1050 on the 15" and we're set. Pretty realistic expectations. Here's one I made earlier.

(Click to enlarge)

 

[Digital Skunk]

....

This makes the most sense. Not thinner since Apple is having a hard enough time keeping the current design cool.

Lighter yes, and definitely pretty much the same look and style but give me the mag latch.

I used to believe that the new square keyboard was alright, but now, after using it on the iMac and wireless keyboard with keyboard covers I must say that it sucks. I don't downright hate the thing, but it's no where near as good as the current MBP model with or without key covers, during prolonged us, and feel.

The new keyboard is greatly overrated by users that get off on gimmicky "COOL" designs, but don't do any real work, just MHO.

The current trackpad isn't that bad for multitouch, but bigger is always better.

 

[niuniu]

I'm really looking forward to picking up the new MBP with black keys.. that said, I'd love them to release an all black MBP..

 

[DooDaaDame]

Classic Beauty...

I don't think so, a lot of powerbooks had black keyboards for some time (up until powerbook g3 I think)

Example:

I still have and use this powerbook, (occasionally). I had so much fun rigging internet and such on it! What a blast from the past!
I remember the big selling point on these was their rugged good looks..some story about one of them being dropped in the amazon, dried out and still functional. I love to fire it up and listen to it purrrrr...may OS7 live forever!