What don't you like about the new Aluminum MacBook (besides no FW)?

[Sareth]

My problems with the alu macbook have (mostly*) been not with the screen itself but with the glass front.

I've been through three of them, the first had dust caught under the glass (didn't care about the imperceptible pieces but there was one big one about a third of the way down and a third of the way across to the right from center so my eyes would train in on it immediately), the second* had a smudge of some kind of white substance under the glass (wish I'd kept the close up photo I made of it, was pretty disgusting but I left it on the macbook when I exchanged it) and the third had streak marks down the right hand side of the screen under the glass which looked remarkably like a badly washed window !

The third one had a dead pixel on the left of the screen as well but the first two panels themselves were fine, its that glass front and what can get caught under it, when the the front is (presumably) permanently bonded on like that you'd think more care would be taken to prevent contamination.



*number two was pretty much a lemon, two chips out of case, wonky keys, cracking noise on several keys, uneven pressure across the keyboard, display port and one usb port misaligned, really had to force the displayport in.

 

[clyde2801]

Hopefully, James Gorman was right, and there is no contrast problems with more recent builds of the uni MB's. Maybe it was a QC problem. I've had a few old Mac hands who kept telling me the first mac commandment: "Thou shalt not buy a Version A."

 

[slashjunior]

Hmm. After reading this thread I think I will probably be getting the MacBook Pro. I am just looking for one machine that can replace my iMac as a desktop and my MacBook as a laptop, getting the new 24" Cinema Display as a monitor for my desk. With the 3 lead thing it should be quick and easy changing between it being a desktop and being a laptop without having to plug in loads of peripherals everytime I want to use it as a desktop.

My current MacBook sometimes get quite noisy with the fans, whereas my iMac is the quietest computer I have ever owned. I am hoping the MacBook Pro is as quiet as the iMac. The only thing I am concerned about is the extra price of the MacBook Pro, plus the Cinema display is still expensive. I could look at cheaper monitors but the cinema display does look nice, or I could look at the cheaper 20" or 23" as I am perfectly happy with the 20" iMac screen.

 

[WinkWink726]

A 12" wide-screen would have been nice, compact like the 12" Powerbook was. I didn't mine the thickness of it, was the perfect size.

That's the ONLY thing that I miss!
My G4 12" was the perfect size and i wish that THIS machine was THAT size!

the first mac commandment: "Thou shalt not buy a Version A."

LOL, as with any electonic device! Beware of the 1st Gen!

 

[slashjunior]

LOL, as with any electonic device! Beware of the 1st Gen!

I wouldn't say that is entirely true. I got the iPhone 2G with 1.1.2 (I think...it was the one where the unlock screwed with the baseband so bricked the phone unless you virginized it first). Anyway, never a hiccup from that iPhone. I usually find Apple's first build of anything is good, with the iPhone 3G you feel it has fallen in quality. My 3rd gen iPod which cost about £400 was expensive, but is still working today, only needed a new battery...all previous iPods with the HDD have all broken just after a year...although I have a couple of iPod Mini's and a Nano and they still work great.

If it is a refresh of an existing product they usually try to cut costs, so are more likely to go wrong. New, important products like the iPhone are usually great quality, otherwise you get bad PR. In part it is Steve Job's obsessive nature to get everything working on time...this time around though with MobileMe and it being released in several countries on the same day they was bound to have problems.

 

[tubbymac]

Hopefully, James Gorman was right, and there is no contrast problems with more recent builds of the uni MB's. Maybe it was a QC problem.

The screen is not a quality control problem. It's not that the screen has defects which makes it bad, but that it's properly working but of lower quality than the ones found in the Air and Pro.

There's another thread with a picture of the Macbook Aluminum screen next to a Macbook Plastic screen and for most intents and purposes, the screens are virtually identical in contrast, black level, viewing angles, and color accuracy. About the only thing different is the glossy coating which makes the Aluminum slightly brighter looking due to reflected light from the room.

 

[SuperSnake2012]

For what it's worth, I have a week 48 Macbook that I just bought today, and the screen is beautiful, no dust, no smudges, no defects with the computer. It has a 9C8B panel.

 

[Sareth]

For what it's worth, I have a week 48 Macbook that I just bought today, and the screen is beautiful, no dust, no smudges, no defects with the computer. It has a 9C8B panel.

Mine were a 45 (dust) and two 46s (smudges).

 

[California]

Only complaint besides no fw is it is too wide. 12" screen and size is perfect.

 

[cogsinister]

For what it's worth, I have a week 48 Macbook that I just bought today, and the screen is beautiful, no dust, no smudges, no defects with the computer. It has a 9C8B panel.

Mines week 50 also seemingly free of the defects others have reported......same panel type as well.....

 

[n8236]

I got my MBP a few weeks ago and it's perfect as far as I know. I would like more USB slots, but that's about it.

 

[clyde2801]

The screen is not a quality control problem. It's not that the screen has defects which makes it bad, but that it's properly working but of lower quality than the ones found in the Air and Pro.

There's another thread with a picture of the Macbook Aluminum screen next to a Macbook Plastic screen and for most intents and purposes, the screens are virtually identical in contrast, black level, viewing angles, and color accuracy. About the only thing different is the glossy coating which makes the Aluminum slightly brighter looking due to reflected light from the room.

I said 'hopefully'. It may have been a forlorn hope, since Apple has traditionally cheaped out on the displays for its consumer portables (check out the difference between an ibook and a powerbook if you doubt me), but it was still a hope.

 

[0098386]

Had mine for about a month now. Love almost everything about it, even with its problems its the most capable and beautiful laptop I've bought. Buuuut-

3 USB ports needed.
Power button isn't as awesome as my 12" Powerbooks power button
backlit keyboard on all models
footprint around the display too big (compared to my old PB anyways)
Bluray would have been nice, but not required (for me)
Bigger HDD as standard would be nice too but epic thanks for making it so easy to replace.

That's all I can fault. I love this bugger. On the plus side the display is amazing, the touchpad is a joy to use, its quick and plays all my games at native res with settings on full, the sound is good, the build quality is superb, blah blah.

 

[haoqfu]

definitely the wide black bezel!! also the screen quality. i like the improved brightness though.