lol
Thinkpads, Acer, Asus, Alienware.... where have you been? It's one thing to say Apple products have great hardware/build quality but to say others do not is just plain ignorant.
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What are the reasons for owning a MBP
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lol
Thinkpads, Acer, Asus, Alienware.... where have you been? It's one thing to say Apple products have great hardware/build quality but to say others do not is just plain ignorant.
This.
Stop drinking the Kool-Aid.
Lenovo's comparably priced machines still lead the way in build quality (and they feel nice, too). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCwwDacNk1U
i bought my mbp to get work done. i use PC and mac. some programs i use the mac and some i use for pc. i don't feel one is better than the other since they are just tools. i do hate that not all my programs exist on BOTH platforms because of the development gap between mac and PC. i need not give examples of threads asking "can i find something on the mac for this pc program?"
the design of the mac is nice and PCs have their own pluses too. i heavily use my mac for science and leisurely applications.
the design of the mac is nice and PCs have their own pluses too. i heavily use my mac for science and leisurely applications.
I love the flexibility of the MacBook Pros (in terms of the current Apple lineup). While you can't upgrade the processor or GPU, RAM and HD/SSD upgrades can add years of useful life for most users. I like having the optical drive for watching Redbox or Netflix movies on vacation when I don't have network access. The ability to have the Mac OS with Windows 7/XP and Linux alongside via Bootcamp or Fusion has provided me a lot of convenience for work and grad school.
You have just described pretty much every standard notebook computer current available. This is a standard feature.
So you like having a notebook that is... the same as the millions of notebooks before it? you're stating this like you could have never been able to upgrade internals on other machines before.
Heck, more powerful windows laptops let you upgrade MORE internally than what you can with the MBP.
Just throwing that out there.
The OP was referring to aluminum for his MBP. I was just stating build quality in terms of aluminum mostly. I like the bamboo material of the ASUS line so I mentioned that too. Sorry for the confusion.
very true. i've torn apart the innards of the mbp -unibody and non-unibody-and they really design the machine where the end user can't do much except upgrade ram and the HD before having to plunk down cash to just get a new machine. with how the "church of mac" cult is, many users are only so happy to oblige and buy the newest, best thing that the company is selling at a given moment; its an interesting phenomenon.
If you don't care about running OS X, sure. I doubt the typical Dell laptop owner is upgrading his CPU or GPU though, even if it is possible.
But the typical MacBook Pro user is upgrading? Do not confuse the MacRumors forum members as "typical".
solutions
to the OP: You mention a list of problems you have with your mac. you have a few solutions you want to pick from.
There is no real reason to spend over $1,000 running an OS you don't like.
to the OP: You mention a list of problems you have with your mac. you have a few solutions you want to pick from.
- Install windows on your mac and use a 3 button mouse (USB or bluetooth) or figure out if you can configure the trackpad to do what you want
- sell the mac and get another machine if you really don't like the panel specs (alternatively mod your mac and install your own panel)
There is no real reason to spend over $1,000 running an OS you don't like.
No they aren't, that is my point. Regardless of platform, most people are not pulling or de-soldering CPUs in their laptops and replacing them. I am not characterizing MacRumors members as anything, there is a wide range of knowledge and comfort level with technology here.
I was simply providing my input to the OP's query about why I enjoy owning a MacBook Pro, both in the context of the Apple lineup (upgradeability and optical drive) and in general (ability to run OS X natively while still using other OSes).
I waffled about buying an Apple for a very long time. After I decided to visit an Apple store and play with the current generation products (IMac vs. Macbook Pro vs. Macbook Air), I was very surprised with the usability of the trackpad.
I hate trackpads. With a passion. And little joystick thingys, too (a la Thinkpad). Trackballs are also on my black list.
...and yet, the pad on the Macbook was usable. Not painful. I know maybe two gestures, but it was surprisingly easy to use. I didn't stand there in the Apple store going "Geez, I wish I had a mouse." And that's the first time I haven't wished for a mouse on a computer of any brand in the last 15 years.
And as a result, my 13" Macbook Pro is ordered, and being shipped to me this week. YMMV.
I read an article a year or so ago about the connection between Apple/Mac users and religion. When talking about or reading their respective topics, the same areas of the brain lit up in MRI and other scans.
It makes sense though; Apple's ideology is about what they "believe" in, not merely specs; they don't play the numbers game. This attracts people who want to believe they have a premium product. Who want to feel the same way as Apple wants them to feel.
Your post doesn't make sense. Nor does it hold any weight.
I don't' know, you tell me. Asking that question isn't a strong premise in.... whatever your argument is. Why don't you state what you're trying to say instead of asking rhetorical questions.
Compared to a trackpoint?
It seems you're trying to turn what is a guaranteed compromise in ergonomics in different situations, into a gripe that no one built a system specifically for you. Most people who do real work on computers do indeed use a desk, with some amount of casual use (couch, toilet, whatever0 being secondary - I don't see the benefit in optimizing an interface for working in a manner which is already less productive in the first place, but that seems to be what you want.
If you believe you're most 'productive' on the bowl or couch, the heat from an MBP is likely already a loss for you, why not just buy a tablet?
Personally, I agree with some points, but your argument is jumbled. There is always room for improvement in virtually any piece of software or hardware, but telling people they're clueless while you talk about being productive on the toilet, well - enough said.
I don't particularly like the 'missing' buttons on macbooks, but they at least cover double button well enough on the trackpad, and there's always the option of using an actual multi-button mouse, or customizing your trackpad settings if that's your preference. But let's not pretend you're in the most productive mode on a couch or toilet, and then complain about performance and relative time differences vs hotkeys, etc.
Use a system day in and day out for 12-20 hours/day, and I can't imagine anyone claiming a trackpoint is more ergonomic than either an added marble, or apples trackpad(s). Laptop interfaces are by nature a compromise versus a full-sized keyboard and other pointing devices. having said that, the mbp trackpad isn't bad at all. The keyboard - I'll just leave it at whenever possible, I'm using a USB version of a clicky IBM Model M plugged into it, and the first and second gen mbp silver keyboards are a lot nicer IMO than the more recent gen black chicklet keys. I also preferred my last Thinkpad's k/b over the current gen keyboards, but it's a compromise.
So now you're claiming that one handed typing/pointer movement is now the most effective way for everyone to work?
Sorry, it just isn't so. Now, I get your MMB issue here, so just map it with BTT, or learn about the *other* hotkeys to tab cycle to the tab you'd like to close.
It's frustrating to us - someone that believes using one hand on a computer is at all efficient, while ignoring the many seconds of time lost by using a single hand while sitting on the toilet or couch, griping about 'lost time.' Unless of course, you're single handing it on pr0n sites, which would make more sense..
You *may* be able to configure a triple tap, or certainly an easier keystroke, to do your middle mouse action, though. I'm pretty sure out of the box triple tap/click isn't recognized, but it may be via BTT.
Again, you're intentionally putting yourself into a non-ergonomic, non-productive position, and then griping about 1/10s of a second, see the irony yet? Facts aren't ignorant and close-minded. Try a tablet instead perhaps?
And what is it that you're doing single-handedly that is much more than browsing or un-skilled tasks, exactly?
Anyways, I get your MMB point, and it's valid, but I'd bet can be configured around with BTT, as the trackpads do recognize multiple simultaneous actions, and I'm not convinced that's even needed, just a mapping to MMB. If you're really worried about fatigue, yeah, you're right in that it's not too comfortable typing when lying down, but you might want to try a class or book on ergonomics and/or human computer interactions before assuming laying down is the most productive position, and find a compromise that works the best for you.
Steve's good at marketing, and at "fluffy things." Things like making simple tasks easier. Unfortunately, that usually means making some more complicated tasks, even some that were easy enough on other OSes, sometimes difficult to impossible. A one button trackpad or mouse is nearly useless for most professionals whether it's working with code, images, video, CAD, etc., and ctrl-click just for RMB behavior still is quite obnoxious, to me. The lack of a customizable selectable location/configuration choices at login is silly. The configuring of automounts and non OSX network shares is annoying vs *nix. The general mantra of the OS/Steve knows 'best' can be quite annoying, along with various attempts at Apple lock-ins - only Apple SSDs (not made by Apple) doing TRIM, time machine to normal network shares, etc...but overall, it's usually not a bad compromise.
Telling everyone that they're not open while you're dictating what seems to be 'this is the single way to do it, optimized for a sub-par non-ergonomic, non-productive mode of 'working,'' - again, the irony. Instead of going after people who disagree with you, you might be better off just sticking clearly to what you'd like to do, why, and figure out the best compromise or workaround for your specific desired results, and be open yourself to the thought that working on the toilet isn't a prime productivity position.
All of this might have been a lot shorter if the thread wasn't all over the place, but in the end, I think you've got a minor gripe about specs (screen pitch?), and a valid question about the best way to emulate MMB behavior. The rest is mostly just a pissing content and fluff - you wanted aluminum, you got it - live with it, or not, but you chose it. You can always mail Apple and tell them you want the perfect device for computing on the toilet and couch, but I'd bet the answer is - buy an iPad.
This. Using a MB from 06, I never had the multiguesture trackpad. I actually like using keyboard commands more. They're easier to use (for me) and I'm faster with them. I can also map whatever I want and, because I use the keyboard often, the commands are easier to remember because there is physical feedback from using them.
However, I am going to get a baseline MBP next week and I'll probably use some of the guestures. The trackpads are amazing though... I have to use a mouse with everything else but with my Mac, it's all trackpad.
Don't confuse your inability to grasp simple rhetoric with my ability to make a point.
I got your point, albeit it wasn't a good one. THAT is what my point is. You're stating a rhetoric with emphasis on a bigger goal. Logical arguments aren't based on rhetorics. Technically it's an argument, but it's an invalid one. If I were to say... "Well you are an American..." I would be implying your want for a higher end materialistic item; as Americans, we love material things. That's just how this country is.
The point being made would be that you'd love an Apple product even though it's underpowered for the price, just because it's "premium". However, that point isn't very strong.
See what I mean?
Lets drop it though... we shouldn't derail this somewhat productive thread with bickering about semantics.
Actually, you missed my point. Grumbles implied that an upgradeable MacBook Pro is more useful than an upgradeable Dell notebook because MacBook Pro users are more likely to upgrade their machine.
I disagree with that implication. While every other thread on this forum is about upgrading memory or a hard drive, the average MacBook Pro owner does not even know this site exists. It is not a good sample of the population.
Based on the amount of notebook memory and 2.5" hard drives sold by Newegg and Amazon, I would guess a large number of people upgrade their portables. There are plenty more Windows machines floating around compared to Apple machines.
It is actually a good point which makes your point that my point was not a good point a not good point.
Memory and hard drive upgrades should not be considered a feature, ultraportables excluded as there is a different design premise and goal.
First of all, you are making the mistake of using a trackpad. The MBP has the least horrible trackpad of any laptop, but it is still a complete POS. Computers are meant to be used with MICE. Using the computer when it is not on a solid surface is ergonomically horrible. I do it now and then, and unless I'm purely consuming content, and not switching between it much, my whole body realizes how ergonomically incorrect it is. Put the thing down on a table.
The lack of this bizarre middle button is not an Apple thing. I've had Dells, Apples and a custom built machine, and I have never used a middle button, or ever seen a machine that shipped with one.
Put your left hand on the board, and your right hand on a mouse, and you'll be fine. Or program the clickwheel click to be the tab closer if you're really that obsessed with closing tabs you aren't on. Or how about closing them before you switch away from them if you're not going to go back to them? Or do what everyone else does and collect a zillion tabs and then go through and clean them out instead of wasting an extra 0.1 seconds per tab to close them one by one?
Why don't you use your phone on the crapper instead? Laptop is just, well... ok, I won't go there, but use your phone like normal people do.
@wegster: AMAZING post. So true, except that I'd say the chicklet boards are the least bad you can manage on a computer that thin. I use a natural board, and I so wish they made a model-M-like board that was split!
The lack of this bizarre middle button is not an Apple thing. I've had Dells, Apples and a custom built machine, and I have never used a middle button, or ever seen a machine that shipped with one.
Put your left hand on the board, and your right hand on a mouse, and you'll be fine. Or program the clickwheel click to be the tab closer if you're really that obsessed with closing tabs you aren't on. Or how about closing them before you switch away from them if you're not going to go back to them? Or do what everyone else does and collect a zillion tabs and then go through and clean them out instead of wasting an extra 0.1 seconds per tab to close them one by one?
Why don't you use your phone on the crapper instead? Laptop is just, well... ok, I won't go there, but use your phone like normal people do.
@wegster: AMAZING post. So true, except that I'd say the chicklet boards are the least bad you can manage on a computer that thin. I use a natural board, and I so wish they made a model-M-like board that was split!
I just picked up a high res MBP to replace the standard res MBP (returning it tomorrow). I can verify that the standard res MBP is using the Samsung LTN Panel, and the High Res (which anandtech references) is using an LG LP154WE3-TLA2 panel.
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