MBP design/casing: what would you change?

[cbatt]

I'd like to see the MBP come in White and Black, so long as the cases were not plastic. Or at least, offer a darker shade of grey.

The TiBook still looks superior to the MBP/Powerbook, everything but the hinge design. So keep the current one-piece hinge and put the ports on the side, but go back to the TiBook aesthetics.

Magnetic latch.

I'd also look at making the lighted keyboard a one-piece unit that could be removed, similar to the TiBook's keyboard. Make it easier to clean, and perhaps get to internal components (such as the RAM on the TiBook).

Other than that, the MBP is by far the best looking performance notebook on the market. I like some of Sony's ultra-portables, but in the desktop replacement class, the MBP is leagues ahead of everything else.

 

[Wolfpup]

stainless steel!

have two USB ports together (either adding two more, or just moving one) - those of us who use crappy external drives that require both ports would be grateful.

There are drives that require 2 USB ports? That's...totally bizarre

All the Macbooks should have more USB ports. Seems like 3 or 4, anyway.

Though the hard drive thing is the only deal killer for me.

 

[nutts]

stainless steel!

have two USB ports together (either adding two more, or just moving one) - those of us who use crappy external drives that require both ports would be grateful.

The 17" MBP has two USB ports together on the left side (and one on the right side).

But I always thought the only reason drive enclosures required two USB ports were if you used them with really old machines where the USB ports couldn't provide enough power through one port. I have a newish Toshiba 2.5" external drive with a funky Y-shaped cable that is for this reason (according to the manual).

As for the comment about having ports on the back, I say NO WAY!
I absolutely *hate* when I use somebody else's PC laptop where I have to either rotate the thing around or stand up and lower the screen to plug/unplug things. Soooo inconvenient!

 

[9numbernine9]

2 words... Port Replicator!

Seconded!

 

[jeremy.king]

But I always thought the only reason drive enclosures required two USB ports were if you used them with really old machines where the USB ports couldn't provide enough power through one port. I have a newish Toshiba 2.5" external drive with a funky Y-shaped cable that is for this reason (according to the manual).

Its not just old machines...My MBP can't power the generic enclosure I have. Now imagine trying to use that Y cable on a 15" MBP with one port on each side...You can't! I have to use an extension cable which is fugly and silly. In my case, I plan to invest in a FW enclosure and be done with it.

 

[nutts]

Its not just old machines...My MBP can't power the generic enclosure I have. Now imagine trying to use that Y cable on a 15" MBP with one port on each side...You can't! I have to use an extension cable which is fugly and silly. In my case, I plan to invest in a FW enclosure and be done with it.

Seriously?! Damn that sucks
I've had a MacAlly one before and that was great - built like a tank and nice and quiet (no fan).

Now though I'm happy with my Lacie Brick - looks fun next to my MBP

 

[superspiffy]

Most of the suggestions have been about case functionality like adding ports here and there or increasing the tilt angle, etc... and if the comment is design oriented, it usually has something to do with getting rid of certain elements or tweaking certain things that is already present in the current MBP design (ex: more colors... getting rid of grey strip... etc...).

What I'm curious to know is whether anybody here can design a truly original MBP that does not play around with the current design. Something totally different but can also adhere to that minimalist/simple Apple design philosophy.

I think it's very hard to do, because when I think of what a new, original and redesigned MBP case would look like, I fall back on how the current design is already "perfect" enough and I cannot truly think of anyway to make it better (save for the common suggestions of removing bezel... removing plastic strip, making it thinner, etc...)

Mindsets like these are very common, I guess that's why I don't work for the Apple design team just like many here, obviously. We get bogged down on the current design and cannot see past it. It is indeed very hard to "think outside the box" and I have lots of respect for the actual people who've designed these Macs and iPod from the ground up.

Any photoshoppers out there that can design an original MBP?

 

[maxp1]

I've had it with the metal cases too. How about moving back to putty tan plastic. And sculpt it a bit more, less flat surfaces and more curves, bezels and edges. And less screws. I hate the way those look. If you're going to make it in plactic just have everything snap together. Impossible to get apart, but who cares.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

 

[amusiccale]

I think it would be fun to see colored aluminum, if we're stuck with that for now--but colors may lend themselves more readily to the entry-level Macbook line. Any significant upgrade I want to imagine should involve using the iPhone-style multitouch (widgets on a screen down below with the keyboard?) and slick gunmetal or black options.

But then if I wanted just black, maybe that's lenovo's job.

 

[cube]

The chipset supports 3 SATA ports. Why is one wasted instead of making it external?

Plus, there are at least 3 component vendors offering slot-loading Super Multi drives. Mechanisms supporting DVD-RAM are not rare anymore.

1920x1200 across the board, even if no LED backlighting.

 

[slffl]

1. More display tilt, AT LEAST as far as my Powerbook!
2. Magnetic Latch
3. Maybe the macbook keyboard

And that's pretty much it for me. I love the design, however, the screen tilt is still keeping me away from the MBP.

 

[ventro]

Make the gap when closed disappear
align the cd drive and the latch
make the ir "dot" smaller
greater opening angl
removable HD bay

other than that it's pretty much perfect.

 

[MikeyTree]

I'd also like to see white & black versions, as long as they're metal and/or light.

I'd also like:
- Hard drive that's accessible like the MB's

- Magnetic latch

- Two mouse buttons. C'mon Apple, make it usable for those of us who prefer having two buttons. If it defaults to both buttons clicking as the default single button, it wouldn't be any more difficult to use.

 

[cube]

- Two mouse buttons. C'mon Apple, make it usable for those of us who prefer having two buttons. If it defaults to both buttons clicking as the default single button, it wouldn't be any more difficult to use.

THREE buttons, not two.

 

[PDE]

For the 15"

Basics:

1. More display tilt

2. Less resistance on the track button

3. Better sound

4. Stronger case that is not prone to denting

5. User-replaceable hard drive similar to macbook

6. Better heat management is always good, though the current generation is not that bad compared to previous ones.

7. Magnetic latch

Wishes/dreams:

1. Removable keyboard connected wirelessly to the base

2. Display that can be moved up and down




This is a beautiful, great machine - it's very hard to improve. I do think it's a good idea for Apple to stick with a good design rather than constantly changing for the sake of it. Small refinements all the time is what makes a polished product. If they change it now, it'll take several years to work out all the little quirks of the new design and I won't be a beta tester again!

 

[Patch^]

I'd also like to see white & black versions, as long as they're metal and/or light.

I'd also like:
- Hard drive that's accessible like the MB's

- Magnetic latch

- Two mouse buttons. C'mon Apple, make it usable for those of us who prefer having two buttons. If it defaults to both buttons clicking as the default single button, it wouldn't be any more difficult to use.

Perhaps they could make the button pressure sensitive like the Mighty Mouse click on one side it left clicks on the other side it right clicks etc.

plus I'm all for the magnetic latch, easy access hardrive apart from that it's pretty much perfect...oh actually maybe change the speaker grill and add a few extra USBs!

EDIT: make the 15" resoultion 1680x1050

 

[Wolfpup]

3. Maybe the macbook keyboard

Whaaaaat?!?

The chicklet is one reason to upgrade to a Macbook Pro.

With the way things are going, the next MPB will probably even eliminate user replaceable RAM, and switch to the chicklet.

 

[bottleddissent]

Well, honestly, I trust Apple to make good improvements on their own, but if I'm supposed to share my demands:
1. User replaceable hard drive and graphics card. The whole laptop industry could really benefit from replaceable graphics cards.
2. A coffee maker. It would just be really convienent.

 

[slffl]

Whaaaaat?!?

The chicklet is one reason to upgrade to a Macbook Pro.

With the way things are going, the next MPB will probably even eliminate user replaceable RAM, and switch to the chicklet.

Why don't you like the Macbook keyboard?

BTW, for the 2 button mouse 'switchers'. How about they just put 4 buttons down there while they're at it.

 

[uicandrew]

1. for the 17" models, a numeric keypad, especially for people who work with numbers a lot
2. user replaceable hard drive is also on my list
3. magnetic enclosure


i actually like the 2 fingers on the trackpad + click for the right click. that way, you never have to wonder if you're hitting the correct trackpad button

 

[chriscorbin]

i love the MBP case, the only thing i would change is 2 mouse buttons Every other laptop computer known to man has two
get with the times apple

 

[macjay]

Center the keyboard more on the base and move the speaker grills above the keyboard (between the keyboard and the screen).

 

[bottleddissent]

i love the MBP case, the only thing i would change is 2 mouse buttons Every other laptop computer known to man has two
get with the times apple

Seconded!

 

[Bearxor]

Just got my new SR MBP today. I have to say, I love the case design and have for several years. It just reeks of quality love from Apple.

What I would change:
More tilt to the screen - even if it means an extra .25" in height.
Ports in back - its much easier to deal with when using it at a desk for extended periods that way
more usb - at least one more on the left like the 17" model, preferably two on each side, or two on one side and two in the back.
1680x1050 upgrade option on the 15" - one of the best things about my dell
built-in card reader - I'm going to have to buy one that goes in the express card slot.
two-button touchpad - just do it like the mighty mouse and have it pressure sensitive as to which side is pressed.

Other than that, its perfect for me. honestly, out of all of this the only thing i desperately want to see is a 1680x1050 screen. everything else, like the plastiuc strip or the latches that aren't even there when its open don't bother me at all.