brilliant, refined is a great word for how i hope the redesign to go. i want a more refined design. i think the macbook could definitely use a more refined design. do you think the backlit keyboard will trickle down to the mb in the next revision or will apple reserve that for the pro?
Next MacBook and MacBook Pro Updates in June?
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brilliant, refined is a great word for how i hope the redesign to go. i want a more refined design. i think the macbook could definitely use a more refined design. do you think the backlit keyboard will trickle down to the mb in the next revision or will apple reserve that for the pro?
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
The backlit keyboard has been been in the pro line since the PB G4's in early 2003. Now that it's found it's way into the MBA it will almost certainly become standard in every Apple laptop. It's long overdue.
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
Well, no update is for certain until it happens, but the backlit keyboard being five years old is no longer cutting edge in Mac products. They only reason Apple wouldn't include it was if they considered it a failure - and since they don't, it will eventually move it's way into the MB line (sooner than later). Why? Because later - say 5 years down the line, MB's won't have physical keyboards that you can spill liquids on.
you think apple will go to those laser optical keyboards or whatever they are? or just all touch technology?
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
I have no idea. But based on the iPT and iP I imagine that touch is the way they would most quickly implement the next gen interface. And when I say "next gen" I have to smile since I have been using Citibank for years and their cash machines have utilized a form of touch interface for as long as I can remember.
haha very true. im not sure i would like typing on a touch surface. i would like them to keep the keyboard. typing on a flat surface just wouldnt feel natural
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
I know how you feel. I felt the same way when the 1st gen ipod's scroll wheel was replaced by the virtual wheel. I missed the actual analogue movement, but now of course I'm used to it after all these years. Plus side of a virtual keyboard - easy to clean, spills won't destroy your laptop.
and it might make it possible to slim down the laptop as well. downside is obviously comfort at first, but who knows how it would feel after a while. and downside initially might be cost, a newer technology will always cost more, SSDs being a prime example, but with intel entering the game the prices should drop.
kamm
macrumors regular
Sounds like someone who never used one - try telling this to people like me, who used ZX81 in the 80s...
Touch-only keyboard sucks big time, trust me. I'd never buy a machine without actual button and movement, that's for sure.
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
Sounds like someone who never used one - try telling this to people like me, who used ZX81 in the 80s...
Touch-only keyboard sucks big time, trust me. I'd never buy a machine without actual button and movement, that's for sure.
Your right. I've only used touch-only keyboards in citibank cash machines (as I posted earlier) and also when using friends iPhones's - which I am not used to at all and find myself constantly having to correct what I type.
However, I do think that technology moves on and virtual keyboards will be a part of it. Many that are used to the older way will hate it, and those who are young and not used to analogue touch will find it normal. Ever try and teach your Grandparents how to use a Mac, iPhone, etc. ... and then watch what a child can do with the same technology? We know we are growing old when the old way seems to us to be the right way. I speak for myself.
jnc
macrumors 68020
I suppose dual link DVI, fw800, aluminium finish and matte screens are "long overdue" in every Apple laptop as well. There are some things that are kept off just for product identity, at some point people will wonder what is the point in so many models.
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
jnc
macrumors 68020
Well how many years have the "Pro" notebooks had illuminated keyboards while the others went without? We only have past performance to go on - sure the MacBook Air came along and mixed things up a bit but that's a special case.
I certainly don't think "because the MBA has it, eventually the MB will", though I do kinda expect LED and MT on the next version of the MBs...
Westsider 4 Mac
macrumors regular
i hope they do too but i dont think its gonna happen unfortunately. which puts me in a bit of a dilemma when deciding between a mb and a mbp. i dont NEED a mbp now but who knows down the road a few years whether my needs will change (i will be entering the business field, possibly marketing like new product development)
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
For your needs since you are entering the world of business, an MB or MBA will be great for you. MBP's are if you need a lot of power to run apps like Pro Tools or Photoshop and you're dealing with large visual or audio files.
ya macbook will probably be my route. so im hoping for a redesign
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
I'm also waiting for a redesign - but for the MPB. I wish my computer needs could be served by the MBA (I just love how light and portable it is) but that's just not in the cards.
ya for me hard drive size is a big part of it. ive got lots of mp3 so i need a bigger hard drive. i guess i am pretty basic in my needs, considering the computer i have now sucks, but i would like the faster processor offered by mb. plus the mb is a few hundred bucks cheaper. do you have any advice on ram? would 2 gigs float my boat or would it be worth an upgrade to 4?
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
ALWAYS get more RAM (IMHO)! And never from Apple. As for a bigger HD, you can always buy a small portable external. I just bought the G-Tech mini - 250GB to boost my current PB's puny HD.
is the difference between 2 and 4 gigs noticeable though? and ya i could go external route, but then i would just be spending even more money on the same size HD i could have if i go with the mb. i will need a backup drive anyways i guess though.
sleepingworker
macrumors 6502a
I just finally got around to putting in 4GB's of RAM three weeks ago after I decided to wait until the next update to get the MBP. As old as my PB is, it runs programs sooo much faster than with 2GB's. My one regret is that I didn't max out the RAM when I first bought this laptop. I'll never make that mistake again!