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Macs: If you could provide an idea/request to Apple Engineering, what would it be?
- Thread starter amac4me
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Include more USB ports with the Mac Mini...if a PC user has a USB keyboard and mouse they have used up both of their USB ports....pretty numbskull design.
And on that subject, most PC users don't have USB keyboards and mice, so include a serial-to-USB converter with the Mac Mini..preferably a Y-adapter one so only USB port would be used.
And on that subject, most PC users don't have USB keyboards and mice, so include a serial-to-USB converter with the Mac Mini..preferably a Y-adapter one so only USB port would be used.
thequicksilver said:
got it
that is sort of a no brainer
but a separation of buttons in any type of mouse is unacceptable for apple
I'd like them to make the Mac Mini more expandable and offer more expensive, feature-rich models that help bridge part of (well, the lower part of) the gap between the Mini and the only other desktop system they sell, the PowerMac. Make it easier to open and the parts, easier to replace.
I don't know if it's even technically possible, but it would be great if, just as independent manufacturers are now offering USB and FireWire-based add-ons designed specifically to fit underneath the Mini, there could some day be a way to expand the computer's capabilities through the use of similar 'modules' the way normal desktops are expanded via PCI. So instead of just add-on USB hubs and external drives, there could also be, for example, add-on video cards. I don't know what kind of an interface that would require though.. that couldn't be done with FireWire, right? Or could it? What if there were some kind of connector on the bottom of the Mini?
If it were possible, then the 'high end Mac Mini' could just be a regular mini with a faster HD and processor, a DL (or BlueRay, eventually?) drive and an optional plug-in module underneath it to house additional PCI slots. Still 'mini' compared to other desktops, but now as versatile.
**DISCLAIMER** Yes, I realize the Mini as currently conceived is a "low end consumer machine", and that, because Apple at this time does not deign to make it anything more than that, I should be ashamed for daring to doubt their marketing wisdom. But the need for a mid-range, non-all-in-one desktop system is real, and given the choices I'd rather see it as a souped-up Mini tower than a stripped-down PowerMac.
I don't know if it's even technically possible, but it would be great if, just as independent manufacturers are now offering USB and FireWire-based add-ons designed specifically to fit underneath the Mini, there could some day be a way to expand the computer's capabilities through the use of similar 'modules' the way normal desktops are expanded via PCI. So instead of just add-on USB hubs and external drives, there could also be, for example, add-on video cards. I don't know what kind of an interface that would require though.. that couldn't be done with FireWire, right? Or could it? What if there were some kind of connector on the bottom of the Mini?
If it were possible, then the 'high end Mac Mini' could just be a regular mini with a faster HD and processor, a DL (or BlueRay, eventually?) drive and an optional plug-in module underneath it to house additional PCI slots. Still 'mini' compared to other desktops, but now as versatile.
**DISCLAIMER** Yes, I realize the Mini as currently conceived is a "low end consumer machine", and that, because Apple at this time does not deign to make it anything more than that, I should be ashamed for daring to doubt their marketing wisdom. But the need for a mid-range, non-all-in-one desktop system is real, and given the choices I'd rather see it as a souped-up Mini tower than a stripped-down PowerMac.
two button laptop mouse.
remote for playing dvds and running slide shows ext.
tablet mac with some power behind it so it could be used for graphics work or other visually demmanding tasks. Powertab
Low end tower mac bassically and imac or slighltly slower with expansion slots... replaceable vid cards ext.
ability to control minds.
remote for playing dvds and running slide shows ext.
tablet mac with some power behind it so it could be used for graphics work or other visually demmanding tasks. Powertab
Low end tower mac bassically and imac or slighltly slower with expansion slots... replaceable vid cards ext.
ability to control minds.
mkrishnan said:You mean a 9-pin DSUB?Please god, for the rest of us, no.
I guess though, what works works.... Are serial ports even common on Windows notebooks anymore? And can't you get some kind of USB adaptor that would be relatively low-impact?
Yeah they are still on all notebooks/computers that I have seen. Its the only reason I want one on a powerbook. I don't relish carrying around different adapters all the time on the off chance that I might need to fix a router or something.
minimax said:
Are you drunk?
minimax said:
You can. There are USB -> PS/2 adapters, DVI -> VGA adapters, and most likely USB -> serial too.
paleck said:
There's nothing worse than, when you're walking down the street to the shops to pick up a cup of sugar (with PowerBook in hand), you see a dying router on the side of the road. You go over to help, but suddenly realise that you've left the $%*&ing adaptor at home, on the kitchen bench! Another day, another dead router.
C'est la vie.
I'd like a PDA type device, but not a Palm style PDA. Something with about a 7" widescreen style touch screen (but could be used in either portrait or landscape orientation). No keyboard or anything, just something about the size of a paperback book that you can do regular PIM management things on as well as web/email tasks, and also act as an all in one media player (music/video).
Features would include:
*7" Widescreen touch sensitive display, 852x480 minimum resolution
*About 1/2" bezel all around, maybe 1" or so at the bottom, no more than 1" thick
*Custom OS X style GUI built on a stripped down Darwin core
*Some iLife/iWork like applications: iTunes, iPhoto, Pages, Keynote player with some basic editing capabilities, etc.
*CPU should be roughly equivalent to a G4 400-500mhz
*128mb, BTO 256mb RAM
*20gb HDD, BTO to 30,40,60gb
*Hardware accelerated video system (perhaps one of the ATI video chips found in some of the better PDAs) with it's own VRAM (even 16mb would do).
*3 USB2.0 ports, 1 FW400 port (must support target disk mode), AP Extreme, BT (should support BT keyboard and mouse out of the box), a video out port that supports adaptors for DVI or at least VGA and SVideo, built in mono-speaker with a stereo headphone output, and a built in mic
*Battery should last for 4-6 hours depending on use
*Price starting at $399 up to $599 or so with all the BTO options
That would be excellent.
Features would include:
*7" Widescreen touch sensitive display, 852x480 minimum resolution
*About 1/2" bezel all around, maybe 1" or so at the bottom, no more than 1" thick
*Custom OS X style GUI built on a stripped down Darwin core
*Some iLife/iWork like applications: iTunes, iPhoto, Pages, Keynote player with some basic editing capabilities, etc.
*CPU should be roughly equivalent to a G4 400-500mhz
*128mb, BTO 256mb RAM
*20gb HDD, BTO to 30,40,60gb
*Hardware accelerated video system (perhaps one of the ATI video chips found in some of the better PDAs) with it's own VRAM (even 16mb would do).
*3 USB2.0 ports, 1 FW400 port (must support target disk mode), AP Extreme, BT (should support BT keyboard and mouse out of the box), a video out port that supports adaptors for DVI or at least VGA and SVideo, built in mono-speaker with a stereo headphone output, and a built in mic
*Battery should last for 4-6 hours depending on use
*Price starting at $399 up to $599 or so with all the BTO options
That would be excellent.
I'd like to see a boombox with iPod like features. AM/FM radio, mp3/aac player.
I'm one of those people who just has no use for an iPod. The only thing I ever used my walkman for was listening to AM radio while the football games were on (Listening to one game, watching another). Give me a boombox, and I'm all set.
I'm one of those people who just has no use for an iPod. The only thing I ever used my walkman for was listening to AM radio while the football games were on (Listening to one game, watching another). Give me a boombox, and I'm all set.
PowerMini
How about a small form factor PowerMac? Dual G5's inside an aluminum case but one third the size. If they can put one G5 in an iMac, they can put two in a case the sie of a toaster oven. The current PowerMacs are too huge, and everything else isn't as powerful. Bring on the PowerMini, I say.
Also, since the PB keyboards are awesome, Apple should make stand-alone PB keyboards using the same style, sort of like the Zippy aluminum keyboards but OS X ready.
Lastly, Apple should enter the graphic calculator market. How about a white polycarbonate calculator the size of a checkbook, with flip-open color screen and a tiny keyboard? It could double as a portable text editor. Would be like an ibook-mini but serve an actual function: edit text and graph equations, like the Ti-92 but better. Okay, so Palm devices are already like that, but still.
How about a small form factor PowerMac? Dual G5's inside an aluminum case but one third the size. If they can put one G5 in an iMac, they can put two in a case the sie of a toaster oven. The current PowerMacs are too huge, and everything else isn't as powerful. Bring on the PowerMini, I say.
Also, since the PB keyboards are awesome, Apple should make stand-alone PB keyboards using the same style, sort of like the Zippy aluminum keyboards but OS X ready.
Lastly, Apple should enter the graphic calculator market. How about a white polycarbonate calculator the size of a checkbook, with flip-open color screen and a tiny keyboard? It could double as a portable text editor. Would be like an ibook-mini but serve an actual function: edit text and graph equations, like the Ti-92 but better. Okay, so Palm devices are already like that, but still.
Chrispy said:
They had those "BookEndz" docking stations for G3 iBooks and the TiBooks. They were weird though because they need to plug into every.single.port instead of on windows laptops how they plug into that big "thing" on the bottom. So basically the BookEndz is a few short extension cords built into a docking station shape device and they can sell it for $130.
minimax said:
i have to say something
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
zap2 said:i have to say something
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haha...did you read the second half of the post? Psssst...It was a joke.
VGA monitor....
I don't want my PowerBook to have that "big thing" on the bottom if they make it as fragile as Dell has.
I want Apple to remove the stupid, pathetic crippling that requires you to hack your own iBook or iMac to use an external display without mirroring. It an insult to us customers.
I want Apple to remove the
stupid, pathetic crippling that requires you to hack your own iBook or iMac to use an external display without mirroring. It an insult to us customers.