LED-lit Displays in Upcoming 15'' MacBook Pros?

[UKFletch]

Arrrggh!

OK, I understand all the talk of LED lit screens and how much better they are, Santa Rosa an how much better it is, a better GPU and how much wowser it will be etc.

BUT WHEN?

This is my ONLY problem with Apple. They get us all wound up with rumors of new iterations, and then fail to give ANY tangible dates.

Let me make myself, and a lot of other peoples, view clear;

1. We know tech changes.

2. We like shiney things.

3. We want to buy a Macbook of some form now.

4. We would like the chance to know if we need to wait.


If by waiting a few weeks we get more suitable machine for our needs then fine, but being in a constant state of "should I have waited another day" is stupid, and does put people off. And hey how do we know or not if we need to wait if all we have to go on is speculation.

It's one thing if the changes are every year or two and there is a massive range of products, but Apple DOES NOT have a massive range of products, but it seems to change systems by stealth, overnight, randomly, without ANY warning. I know that this makes Apple UNIQUE, but it also sucks imho.

What do you think. I encourage constructive criticism

Fletch

 

[Zadillo]

OK, I understand all the talk of LED lit screens and how much better they are, Santa Rosa an how much better it is, a better GPU and how much wowser it will be etc.

BUT WHEN?

This is my ONLY problem with Apple. They get us all wound up with rumors of new iterations, and then fail to give ANY tangible dates.

Let me make myself, and a lot of other peoples, view clear;

1. We know tech changes.

2. We like shiney things.

3. We want to buy a Macbook of some form now.

4. We would like the chance to know if we need to wait (i.e. the next one is so much better it's worth the wait or NOT!).


If by waiting a few weeks we get more bang for buck then fine, but being in a constant state of "should I have waited another day" is stupid, and does put people off.

It's one thing the changes are every year or two and there is a massive range of products, but Apple DOES NOT have a massive range of products, but seem to change them by stealth, overnight, randomly, without ANY warning. And that sucks imho.

What do you think. I encourage constructive criticism

Fletch

Honestly I don't think Apple is THAT different from anyone else.

Do you know what or when Dell or Sony's Santa Rosa laptops will come out, what their specs will be, any details like changes to case designs, etc.? I don't know, because Sony and Dell don't really release these kinds of details any more than Apple does.

If anything, Apple's release schedule has become more predictable since the Intel switch (i.e. when C2D chips were unveiled, we knew that we could expect MB and MBP updates soon, for example).

 

[oldwatery]

I don't understand that everybody here is getting so enthousiastic about leds. Sure I want the display to look good but as far as I care it can be leds or regular backlights. I'm interested to the spec changes I can really use (blue-ray, high res, gpu etc) instead of lighting and lighting. Sure, if it saves a lot of battery and it works as well as a regular backlight that's fine with me of course but the other specs have my real interest...

I guess you haven't been reading any of the threads concerning bad MBP displays

It goes beyond enthusiasm for those of us who have been trying in vain to get a decent display on our $3000 lap tops.

I am about to call Apple and get a refund on my 3rd machine. I will wait out the next few months in the hope that my dream machine will be arriving with this next revision.

Specs are all well and good if the machine lives up to them. But you can keep your gpu and bluray upgrades and I'll take a reasonably color accurate and even lit display over any of that other stuff.

 

[Chef Medeski]

I don't understand that everybody here is getting so enthousiastic about leds. Sure I want the display to look good but as far as I care it can be leds or regular backlights. I'm interested to the spec changes I can really use (blue-ray, high res, gpu etc) instead of lighting and lighting. Sure, if it saves a lot of battery and it works as well as a regular backlight that's fine with me of course but the other specs have my real interest...

Umm... blupray, gpu, these are things that are pretty infeasible or only adhere to a very few percent of users. LED would help not only all through better screen but more battery. So... while you basically want a Mac Pro you can carry around. We want a decent laptop. I'm not going to be doing Video-editing on mine, if you are I suggest you buy a desktop. Just the price alone to put in a really crappy Blu-ray player could most likely buy you a used or refurbished G5 PowerMac. That would most likely be more useful to you.

I think the only reason Apple was relatively slower to incorporate C2D in the MBP range is because they were also making other improvements to the case design (specifically the changed vents, etc.). Pretty much every other laptop manufacturer just swapped out CD chips for C2D chips and called it a day, making it easier to release sooner.

Anyway, it's true that Apple could fix the issue with better standard LCD backlighting, but I would just as soon see them switch to the better LED backlighting anyway.

And again, I don't think Apple is just going to swap out the screens in some interim update. I think they will bring out this backlighting, if they do, to coincide with the rest of the expected updates to the MBP line (Santa Rosa, some case changes perhaps, etc.).

Yes because vents take forever. Well lets say vents to take a lot time, you have to build prototypes and test them for various effects on heat. Could take you months. Too bad they had the chip atleast 6 months b4 the release. So why didnt they switch so fast, they still had CD chips in stock. Dont give me the bullcrap of they had to change the vents.... oooooohhh. Really working there in an update.

Somehow other companies can innovate, put in new technologies, and still roll out new models each month including ones a week after a very big new component is made available shows that Apple knows they can milk their customers a bit more.

 

[justflie]

Yes because vents take forever. Well lets say vents to take a lot time, you have to build prototypes and test them for various effects on heat. Could take you months. Too bad they had the chip atleast 6 months b4 the release. So why didnt they switch so fast, they still had CD chips in stock. Dont give me the bullcrap of they had to change the vents.... oooooohhh. Really working there in an update.

And besides, there's plenty of great engineering software out there that can model heat transfers in solid models quite well. They wouldn't even (necessarily) have to test a prototype for long, just long enough to confirm their numerical data with the experimental from the prototype.

 

[Zadillo]

Yes because vents take forever. Well lets say vents to take a lot time, you have to build prototypes and test them for various effects on heat. Could take you months. Too bad they had the chip atleast 6 months b4 the release. So why didnt they switch so fast, they still had CD chips in stock. Dont give me the bullcrap of they had to change the vents.... oooooohhh. Really working there in an update.

Somehow other companies can innovate, put in new technologies, and still roll out new models each month including ones a week after a very big new component is made available shows that Apple knows they can milk their customers a bit more.

Yeesh, what's your beef? You seem to be trying to criticize everything about Apple.

Yes, there could be other reasons too that Apple didn't release C2D MBP's immediately, but it's not like they delayed them terribly. We don't know the details though.

What does innovating have to do with sticking C2D chips in a laptop? It doesn't require innovation to do that; Apple probably could have done that if they wanted, and not made the changes the existing MBP (or as you suggest, they possibly could have had the new cases ready before).

Also, most companies took a fair amount of time to actually have C2D laptops on the market. The big difference was that they announced them almost immediately, but actual availability on the market was usually a month later at best. It wasn't that much farther until Apple came out with C2D MBP's.

Anyway, milk their customers for a bit more? Give me a break. Dell continues to sell Core Duo systems even today.

Why the heck are we even focusing on this anyway? The CPU upgrade wasn't that big a deal anyway.

-Zadillo

 

[oldwatery]

Somehow other companies can innovate, put in new technologies, and still roll out new models each month including ones a week after a very big new component is made available shows that Apple knows they can milk their customers a bit more.

Getting off track a bit...but are you seriously accusing Apple of not innovating

As for Apple milking customers....if you feel like a cow then I guess you can expect to get milked

New products every month. Why

Apple annoy the hell out of me sometimes......but I'd hate to not have them in my life in a big way

sorry about all the emoticons

 

[oldwatery]

So my question remains...

Is the announcement of lcd panels a good thing?

Will it put and end to the current MBP screen problems?

I need to know.

I need relief

 

[Zadillo]

So my question remains...

Is the announcement of lcd panels a good thing?

Will it put and end to the current MBP screen problems?

I need to know.

I need relief

If they are similar quality to the LED backlighting displays that Sony uses on some of their premium systems, then yes, it should be a notable improvement over current MBP screens.

 

[Chef Medeski]

Yeesh, what's your beef? You seem to be trying to criticize everything about Apple.

Yes, there could be other reasons too that Apple didn't release C2D MBP's immediately, but it's not like they delayed them terribly. We don't know the details though.

What does innovating have to do with sticking C2D chips in a laptop? It doesn't require innovation to do that; Apple probably could have done that if they wanted, and not made the changes the existing MBP (or as you suggest, they possibly could have had the new cases ready before).

Also, most companies took a fair amount of time to actually have C2D laptops on the market. The big difference was that they announced them almost immediately, but actual availability on the market was usually a month later at best. It wasn't that much farther until Apple came out with C2D MBP's.

Anyway, milk their customers for a bit more? Give me a break. Dell continues to sell Core Duo systems even today.

Why the heck are we even focusing on this anyway? The CPU upgrade wasn't that big a deal anyway.

-Zadillo

I have beef with Apple because they charge a premium. Be it a quality product, premium stuff. Either way its supposed to be upscale and if Im going to pay extra for extra goods that means being critical of them. I love OS X to deeath. And my 12" PB is my favorite computer. But..... I am critical, Im not demanding outrageous things, 8 hr battery life, 3 GHz CPU, Blu-Ray. I would like some more rational useful features to reemerge to justify the price. They want to charge a premium. Fine. Yet, justify it so people buy it. I paid the extra cash for a PB, I am given the right to be critical of their hardware. When you pay hundreds of dollars more than competiting hardware, you get the right to be critical.

 

[Zadillo]

I have beef with Apple because they charge a premium. Be it a quality product, premium stuff. Either way its supposed to be upscale and if Im going to pay extra for extra goods that means being critical of them. I love OS X to deeath. And my 12" PB is my favorite computer. But..... I am critical, Im not demanding outrageous things, 8 hr battery life, 3 GHz CPU, Blu-Ray. I would like some more rational useful features to reemerge to justify the price. They want to charge a premium. Fine. Yet, justify it so people buy it. I paid the extra cash for a PB, I am given the right to be critical of their hardware. When you pay hundreds of dollars more than competiting hardware, you get the right to be critical.

I agree, rational useful features would be nice. I just personally don't think that SideShow is really that useful a feature, personally.

I expect Apple is doing some interesting things with their future portables; but these are just opinions. If the SideShow features really impress you though, I think you might be better off getting that Asus or maybe that new Toshiba tablet; if tablet functionality and sideshow displays to show you the number of new e-mails you have, etc. impress you, I think you'll see it on those systems before you'd see Apple implement them.

 

[Chef Medeski]

I agree, rational useful features would be nice. I just personally don't think that SideShow is really that useful a feature, personally.

I expect Apple is doing some interesting things with their future portables; but these are just opinions. If the SideShow features really impress you though, I think you might be better off getting that Asus or maybe that new Toshiba tablet; if tablet functionality and sideshow displays to show you the number of new e-mails you have, etc. impress you, I think you'll see it on those systems before you'd see Apple implement them.

Yeah they are cool but not neccesairly something I would really care for. I really would love a wi-fi finder though. Plus buttons for BT and Wi-fi since I often turn them off and on. Those would be greatly useful features. Those are easy to implement. Not very intrusive. I dont see why Apple doesnt do these little things anymore before it seemed like anything little, fun and innovative thing they could do they would in order to make a very appealing package to counter their under powered PBs. I guess now that they are not underpowered, they dont think they need to do the fun little Apple things to hold sales as Q1 sales actually prove. A body that has been around practically 5 years with only minor bumps and updates ( I mean the case not the innards) is really playing it conservative. Plus there are many noted disadvangates of the Alumminum and even precurser Titanium books. Bend easy. Bad Wireless reception. Probably add heft. I mean they have known about these things and taken no effort, atleast none that the consumer has seen, whatsoever to remedy these. I really hope the next rev. of the MacBook Pro is going to be good because I want to buy a laptop from Apple. But really I dont want just a larger, faster version of my 12" PB.

History of little thing updates:

Jan. 7, 2003: Al Books. Backlit keyboard.
Jan. 31, 2005: Added scrollin trackpad. Sudden Motion Sensor.
Jan. 10, 2006: Magsafe. iSight.

4 new things in the past 4 years. Kinda sad. If you count Backlit keyboards thats 5 in the past like 8 years.

Plus scrolling trackpad could already done. And Sudden Motion Sensor barely counts since its more of an innard safety feature than a full blown, bell or whistle.

So... you are pushing it at his level and when you compare this to Windows where they now have Linux distros, wi-fi buttons, wi-fi finders, sudden motion sensor equivalents, spill-proof keyboard, media buttons (something Apple would have a lot easier time implementing).

I mean come on Apple. Dont tell me they are innovating. Dropping in an Intel chip, the industry standard to replace an old, slow processor doesnt count as innovative merely as obvious. And the only reason it didnt happen previously is ego.

 

[Zadillo]

Yeah they are cool but not neccesairly something I would really care for. I really would love a wi-fi finder though. Plus buttons for BT and Wi-fi since I often turn them off and on. Those would be greatly useful features. Those are easy to implement. Not very intrusive. I dont see why Apple doesnt do these little things anymore before it seemed like anything little, fun and innovative thing they could do they would in order to make a very appealing package to counter their under powered PBs. I guess now that they are not underpowered, they dont think they need to do the fun little Apple things to hold sales as Q1 sales actually prove. A body that has been around practically 5 years with only minor bumps and updates ( I mean the case not the innards) is really playing it conservative. Plus there are many noted disadvangates of the Alumminum and even precurser Titanium books. Bend easy. Bad Wireless reception. Probably add heft. I mean they have known about these things and taken no effort, atleast none that the consumer has seen, whatsoever to remedy these. I really hope the next rev. of the MacBook Pro is going to be good because I want to buy a laptop from Apple. But really I dont want just a larger, faster version of my 12" PB.

History of little thing updates:

Jan. 7, 2003: Al Books. Backlit keyboard.
Jan. 31, 2005: Added scrollin trackpad. Sudden Motion Sensor.
Jan. 10, 2006: Magsafe. iSight.

4 new things in the past 4 years. Kinda sad. If you count Backlit keyboards thats 5 in the past like 8 years.

Plus scrolling trackpad could already done. And Sudden Motion Sensor barely counts since its more of an innard safety feature than a full blown, bell or whistle.

So... you are pushing it at his level and when you compare this to Windows where they now have Linux distros, wi-fi buttons, wi-fi finders, sudden motion sensor equivalents, spill-proof keyboard, media buttons (something Apple would have a lot easier time implementing).

I mean come on Apple. Dont tell me they are innovating. Dropping in an Intel chip, the industry standard to replace an old, slow processor doesnt count as innovative merely as obvious. And the only reason it didnt happen previously is ego.

Fair enough, although I have to be honest..... as a former Toshiba and Sony Vaio owner, I didn't see any major changes there either. Hell, Sony's been using the same basic S series design (now with the SZ) for a few years now.

I don't know though, based on the things that you said appeal to you, like hardware wi-fi finders (what exactly is the use of this? You take your laptop out and check the wifi finder before turning it on or something?) or the media player functions, I just don't think Apple is the right platform for you.

Again, I think it comes down to taste. I had a laptop with one of those media player things (the thing that you can boot into directly without having to boot into Windows), but I found it to be almost worthless. I much preferred actually booting into Windows and using the player software I wanted to, which I found to be much better interface wise. It's one of those things that seems more like a gimmick to me, personally, and not practically useful.

Hardware wireless buttons are nice I guess, but I only liked them on PC laptops because I found it to be more of a pain in the ass to turn wifi and bluetooth on and off; I didn't have a problem with just doing it from the OS X menus for those items.

Frankly, in terms of practical innovations, I would take the MagSafe adaptor over any of those other things, because it is something that really does help from a hardware perspective.

Anyway, I think it is still a big stretch to say that Apple hasn't been doing anything. You mentioned tablet PC's, for example, but I think a lot of those have not done well because the hardware hasn't been up to what the hopes are.

Like the iPhone or hate it, it points to a lot of the work Apple has been doing on completely new interfaces, etc. I would venture to say it might be a preview of things to come if Apple does ever come out with a touchscreen portable of some type or other.

But it's an example of what Apple does do that really is innovation; I think it compares favorably to MS's half-assed Tablet PC version of Windows, for example.

-Zadillo

 

[Chef Medeski]

I don't know though, based on the things that you said appeal to you, like hardware wi-fi finders (what exactly is the use of this?

The use of this is when I want to go online but I'm downtown or on campus. I want to see if I have wireless before actually opening the computer turning the wi-fi on and checking. If it doesnt have this then I wouldnt have to do all that just put the computer back in my bag.

Plus I've often been going places by car then I get lose. I want to get online to get some directions but end up driving around with an open PB in the right side checking for spots. And once I had to brake slighly hard and the computer went and dropped on the floor.

Now if it had a wi-fi finder on it, say on the bottom. I would jsut turn it over. Press it until I see a signal. And then use it. Much better!

Anyway, I think it is still a big stretch to say that Apple hasn't been doing anything. You mentioned tablet PC's, for example, but I think a lot of those have not done well because the hardware hasn't been up to what the hopes are.

Like the iPhone or hate it, it points to a lot of the work Apple has been doing on completely new interfaces, etc. I would venture to say it might be a preview of things to come if Apple does ever come out with a touchscreen portable of some type or other.

But it's an example of what Apple does do that really is innovation; I think it compares favorably to MS's half-assed Tablet PC version of Windows, for example.

-Zadillo

I'm not saying Apple hasnt been doing anything. Just not anything Hardware wise that we have seen. The only case redesign was the Macbook and that was really a mere widening of the case. Well with a couple nice things like Mag latch. Magsafe. Swappable hard drives. 13.3" screen and iSight. But it wasnt like they redesigned a feature. Just changed components or added components that were out there. Nothing really new. Everything else. The case has been the same for years such as the PB, since the G5, or since its introduction such as the Mini Mac.

Now I do agree for MS to put a very clunky, pen-based Tablet PCs that were underpowered and short on battery life was stupid. My father bought one and really only liked it as a slate to look at webpages while sleeping on the couch. Slate is really the best way to go. A lot of Slates have been emerging that have good specs. Are touch-screens. Its very good. The only thing people say is where is the keyboard. But I have found one with a very nice on screen keyboard a la the UMPC. Which means thumb tapping. It makes for an insatiable product. Only problem is that it runs Windows.

But thing about it. A MacBook like Axiotron put out. But with Multi-touch like the iPhone. So then firstly you wouldnt need a pen but a finger. A stylus though is neccessary for writing recognition. Plus you could type in various positions, like a normal keyboard, a dynamic UMPC keyboard, writing recognition. Plus with pinch and stuff you could add a whole new level to OS X. Thing of pinching the screen to zoom in on say a program. Yet due to Resolution Independence the menu bar and dock are refitted to the same size. Plus the applications is smoothed out so it looks like you have merely maximized the window when you have just looked more closely at it. Think of it this way. You have a nice big desk. You cover it in papers. The closer you moved your head towards the desk, the bigger things seem along with a smaller scope. Yet nothing gets fuzzy or blurry. Now add a menu bar and dock that would float and shrink down to those size with you. And you have just created a VERY INTERESTING, USEFUL virtual desktop. Its much more realistic in that you can have apps open that are off screen while stile being open and quickly seen, not minimized, the quivalent of storing something in a drawer. I think thats very innovative. And Apple has the power to do it unlike any other company at this point. Its tight Hardware/Software integration with multi-touch patents would make it a great canidate. Any other manufacturer would have to design a multi-touch thing then beg Windows to support it let alone develop for it. Apple has the technology. And since the software is right there could tell the guys ok, I know you have been working on Resolution INdpenpendence. Could you make this work? Of course Steve, not a problem. Suddenly you have a Tablet that has a virtual desktop space larger than the actual resolution. It would be amazing for smaller 12-14" screens. You could fit something the size of 20". Zoom out to see what you want. Then just pinch on the app ur using at the time such as say Word to easily see it. While being able to quickly slide over to the e-mail you have right next to you. No fiddling with the mouse. With virtual desktops or minimized apps. No pressing Expose. That is a revolution in how you use a computer. And its easy to implement, all the technologies right there. And this simple thing of devleoping the first virtual desktop larger than the actual resoltuion would be hallmarked as a grand innovation in computer technology.

Computer is about to change. The hardware limitations of yester year are slowly erroding as can be seen with a less push for more power, but more efficiency. We already cant find anything to do with all that computing power. Yet this power will allow for radical changes in UI. Soon you will see a more natural, flowing UI with multi-touch screens. Once the revolution in batteries occurs, it will be done. Laptops will become no longer computer. But virtual desks, filing cabinets, TVs that can go anywhere with you. Its coming. It wont be long. Will it be in 2007? Its only the beginning (or was that the first 30 yrs).

 

[Zadillo]

The use of this is when I want to go online but I'm downtown or on campus. I want to see if I have wireless before actually opening the computer turning the wi-fi on and checking. If it doesnt have this then I wouldnt have to do all that just put the computer back in my bag.

Plus I've often been going places by car then I get lose. I want to get online to get some directions but end up driving around with an open PB in the right side checking for spots. And once I had to brake slighly hard and the computer went and dropped on the floor.

Now if it had a wi-fi finder on it, say on the bottom. I would jsut turn it over. Press it until I see a signal. And then use it. Much better!


I'm not saying Apple hasnt been doing anything. Just not anything Hardware wise that we have seen. The only case redesign was the Macbook and that was really a mere widening of the case. Well with a couple nice things like Mag latch. Magsafe. Swappable hard drives. 13.3" screen and iSight. But it wasnt like they redesigned a feature. Just changed components or added components that were out there. Nothing really new. Everything else. The case has been the same for years such as the PB, since the G5, or since its introduction such as the Mini Mac.

Now I do agree for MS to put a very clunky, pen-based Tablet PCs that were underpowered and short on battery life was stupid. My father bought one and really only liked it as a slate to look at webpages while sleeping on the couch. Slate is really the best way to go. A lot of Slates have been emerging that have good specs. Are touch-screens. Its very good. The only thing people say is where is the keyboard. But I have found one with a very nice on screen keyboard a la the UMPC. Which means thumb tapping. It makes for an insatiable product. Only problem is that it runs Windows.

But thing about it. A MacBook like Axiotron put out. But with Multi-touch like the iPhone. So then firstly you wouldnt need a pen but a finger. A stylus though is neccessary for writing recognition. Plus you could type in various positions, like a normal keyboard, a dynamic UMPC keyboard, writing recognition. Plus with pinch and stuff you could add a whole new level to OS X. Thing of pinching the screen to zoom in on say a program. Yet due to Resolution Independence the menu bar and dock are refitted to the same size. Plus the applications is smoothed out so it looks like you have merely maximized the window when you have just looked more closely at it. Think of it this way. You have a nice big desk. You cover it in papers. The closer you moved your head towards the desk, the bigger things seem along with a smaller scope. Yet nothing gets fuzzy or blurry. Now add a menu bar and dock that would float and shrink down to those size with you. And you have just created a VERY INTERESTING, USEFUL virtual desktop. Its much more realistic in that you can have apps open that are off screen while stile being open and quickly seen, not minimized, the quivalent of storing something in a drawer. I think thats very innovative. And Apple has the power to do it unlike any other company at this point. Its tight Hardware/Software integration with multi-touch patents would make it a great canidate. Any other manufacturer would have to design a multi-touch thing then beg Windows to support it let alone develop for it. Apple has the technology. And since the software is right there could tell the guys ok, I know you have been working on Resolution INdpenpendence. Could you make this work? Of course Steve, not a problem. Suddenly you have a Tablet that has a virtual desktop space larger than the actual resolution. It would be amazing for smaller 12-14" screens. You could fit something the size of 20". Zoom out to see what you want. Then just pinch on the app ur using at the time such as say Word to easily see it. While being able to quickly slide over to the e-mail you have right next to you. No fiddling with the mouse. With virtual desktops or minimized apps. No pressing Expose. That is a revolution in how you use a computer. And its easy to implement, all the technologies right there. And this simple thing of devleoping the first virtual desktop larger than the actual resoltuion would be hallmarked as a grand innovation in computer technology.

Computer is about to change. The hardware limitations of yester year are slowly erroding as can be seen with a less push for more power, but more efficiency. We already cant find anything to do with all that computing power. Yet this power will allow for radical changes in UI. Soon you will see a more natural, flowing UI with multi-touch screens. Once the revolution in batteries occurs, it will be done. Laptops will become no longer computer. But virtual desks, filing cabinets, TVs that can go anywhere with you. Its coming. It wont be long. Will it be in 2007? Its only the beginning (or was that the first 30 yrs).

Regarding the wi-fi finder; I think I understand what you're saying, but personally for the uses you described, I think it would be a lot more convenient to just use one of those keychain wi-fi finder things, rather than having to take your whole laptop and push some wi-fi finder button on it (especially if you carry your laptop in a laptop bag).

Regarding the computer stuff; I agree with you. I think things will be changing, and I don't think Apple is just sitting idly by.

I read one interview with one of the Apple Engineers, and they were actually explaining why they avoided doing any major changes to coincide with the switch to Intel. They pointed out that they specifically wanted to make the new Intel-based Macs look like the existing Macs, to reinforce the idea that these were still Macs. The feeling was that a radically new design, etc. might throw people off and fuel the "It's no longer a Mac!" kind of worrying.

I suspect that in 2007 and 2008 we will be seeing more significant overhauls of the Mac product line, and possibly new devices as well (i.e. a larger tablet-type system that might even use something similar to the new iPhone interface).

 

[Chef Medeski]

Regarding the wi-fi finder; I think I understand what you're saying, but personally for the uses you described, I think it would be a lot more convenient to just use one of those keychain wi-fi finder things, rather than having to take your whole laptop and push some wi-fi finder button on it (especially if you carry your laptop in a laptop bag).

Regarding the computer stuff; I agree with you. I think things will be changing, and I don't think Apple is just sitting idly by.

I read one interview with one of the Apple Engineers, and they were actually explaining why they avoided doing any major changes to coincide with the switch to Intel. They pointed out that they specifically wanted to make the new Intel-based Macs look like the existing Macs, to reinforce the idea that these were still Macs. The feeling was that a radically new design, etc. might throw people off and fuel the "It's no longer a Mac!" kind of worrying.

I suspect that in 2007 and 2008 we will be seeing more significant overhauls of the Mac product line, and possibly new devices as well (i.e. a larger tablet-type system that might even use something similar to the new iPhone interface).

I hope for that tablet-type device. Right now I'm eyeing a replacement for my 12" PB. A tablet is what I want, but OS X is what I need. So, out of the current offerings I'm lookina t a 15" Pro. I'm goin wait for Santa Rosa though since I got a few months to spare and I really like what Ive been hearing about that. Yet, if they released a 13 or 12" MBP, Id be hard pressed to actually get the 15" since I love my cuddling ability of my 12". MacRumors in bed is the most addictive, unproductive, and fun thing you can do. Now if there is a 12/13" tablet. Done deal. Its mine. 12/13" MBP, I'll probably think about it for a week or two and end up with the smaller one since chick love the 12" .


But note Apple. I would probably pay like $2500 for a Laptop that was multi-touch. $2200 for a Laptop that was merely a touch screen as long as they incorporated a dynamic keyboard a la UMPC (actually knowing Mac users, there will be an add-on within a month). So yeah over $2000, that more than I would be willing to spend on a MB Pro 15". Listen Apple... listen. Please. Dont make me beg.

 

[iW00t]

Can a backlight actually *improve* colour saturation?

I always thought the colour is produced by light shining through the liquid crystals in the LCD display? How does changing the light actually result in richer colours?

 

[LastZion]

I always thought the colour is produced by light shining through the liquid crystals in the LCD display? How does changing the light actually result in richer colours?

That is what I thougt as well... perhaps we are missing something

 

[Zadillo]

I always thought the colour is produced by light shining through the liquid crystals in the LCD display? How does changing the light actually result in richer colours?

There might be more to it than just the LED backlighting. But frankly, even better illumination can make colors look better.

This is probably a poor comparison, but think of a Stained Glass window. If the light shining through it is poorer, less bright, uneven, etc. the stained glass will seem duller, etc. But if it is full and bright, the color of the stained glass will shine through much better.

 

[iW00t]

There might be more to it than just the LED backlighting. But frankly, even better illumination can make colors look better.

This is probably a poor comparison, but think of a Stained Glass window. If the light shining through it is poorer, less bright, uneven, etc. the stained glass will seem duller, etc. But if it is full and bright, the color of the stained glass will shine through much better.

Ahh ok. But I still believe the screen itself has a more important role. No matter how bright your light is, if you have a dirty and dusty screen all you will see through the stained glass will be a grainy and dirty looking picture.

There are plenty of PeeCee laptops with better looking LCDs that uses the old backlighting technology, what makes this some revolutionary break through all of a sudden? Somehow I think even with this new backlight technology all we will get is just another grainy looking display with lousy washed out colours... but brighter (as though brighter is even a metric for screen quality, pfft!). Not getting my hopes up somehow.

 

[Zadillo]

Ahh ok. But I still believe the screen itself has a more important role. No matter how bright your light is, if you have a dirty and dusty screen all you will see through the stained glass will be a grainy and dirty looking picture.

There are plenty of PeeCee laptops with better looking LCDs that uses the old backlighting technology, what makes this some revolutionary break through all of a sudden? Somehow I think even with this new backlight technology all we will get is just another grainy looking display with lousy washed out colours... but brighter (as though brighter is even a metric for screen quality, pfft!). Not getting my hopes up somehow.

Well, of course we'll have to wait and see.

While there are other PC laptops out there with better quality screens than the current MBP's, I have not seen any PC laptops with screens as good as the Sony Vaio SZ370 and Sony TX (the ones featuring the new LED backlighting).

There is more to it in terms of having good colors, etc.

But if Apple can get screens at least as good as those Sony Vaio premium screens, it will be a major improvement. I do expect this to be a major improvement over current MBP screens, if it does come to pass.

 

[lxpk]

Nothing will make Greenpeace happy

I think the more important point of switching to LED back lights is that there will be no more lead in the computers. That's gotta make Greenpeace happy...

I'm a committed environmentalist and I've been funding Greenpeace for years with monthly contributions for the courageous work they do but they really have behaved badly towards Apple. I doubt that anything Apple could do would get them to back off on their pursuit of such a high-profile target.

 

[macsaregoodmkay]

I always thought the colour is produced by light shining through the liquid crystals in the LCD display? How does changing the light actually result in richer colours?

i think the leds produce a fuller or more even spectrum for the liquid crystals to filter...?

 

[iW00t]

Well, of course we'll have to wait and see.

While there are other PC laptops out there with better quality screens than the current MBP's, I have not seen any PC laptops with screens as good as the Sony Vaio SZ370 and Sony TX (the ones featuring the new LED backlighting).

There is more to it in terms of having good colors, etc.

But if Apple can get screens at least as good as those Sony Vaio premium screens, it will be a major improvement. I do expect this to be a major improvement over current MBP screens, if it does come to pass.

Indeed, I've seen a few in the departmental stores and they truly are insanely gorgeous. Do they come in matte finishing? The ones I've seen so far are all glossy.

 

[Zadillo]

Indeed, I've seen a few in the departmental stores and they truly are insanely gorgeous. Do they come in matte finishing? The ones I've seen so far are all glossy.

All glossy as far as I'm aware (although I've personally found that the glossy Sony screens they use for their premium models don't seem quite as reflective; that is, I haven't noticed glare being quite such a problem with them).

In general, it seems like matte screens are becoming a rarity.

-Zadillo