Comments on: What readers hate about the new MacBooks

Highlights from CNET user opinions on Apple's new MacBooks.

[Yavrey]

What I generally like about Macs is that Apple people think a lot about products they release. Not like HP or Dell, who would buy the entire design off ASUS or Quanta, stick their logo on it, and - there you go - another laptop of "their" hits the shelves. What I like about this particular Macbook is that Apple thought it over, too.

On the other hand, what I hate about it is that, after giving the re-design issue some thought, Apple made a conscious decision to cut down on all things usable and useful (less connectivity, trackpad button is gone, slower processors) but to up the "flash" features, instead. So, the simple change from the Intel integrated graphics to NVIDIA became the big news, the aluminum casing was advertised as groungbreaking, and so on.

[atomicbomb156]

Apple designs amazing products that can appeal to everyone. I went to the Apple store and tried out the new Macbook and I absolutely loved the design, the feel, and the heft. But I looked at the price and I was like NO WAY IN HELL. The processor of the lower end Macbook (the newer aluminum one) has the same processor power has my current HP and falls short in RAM and HD space. I paid $600 for my HP. The starting price for the new Macbook (the aluminum one) I think is around $1,300. Not worth it. Keep it in mind that I don't just run vista I also run ubuntu. I'm fine with the glossy screen because it's hard to find a really nice matte finish screen on laptops and if there is you pay a premium for it. The track pad or whatever is just plain impractical. I need the left and right click to use my computer effectively. And if the track pad sucks I use a wireless mouse. But those are kind of hard to use when you are actually carrying your laptop outside the house. The keyboard for the Macbook is so unbelievably comfortable. If I could replace my keyboard I would replace it with the Mac one. I'm considering buying an larger monitor and a nice Apple wireless keyboard. Such a wonderful product. Anyways I like the Apple Macbook for the standard user not having firewire is not that big a deal and people can get used to glossy screens. But no matter how pleasing the product is it is not worth $1,300. I could get 2 laptops for that price and with similar performance. Please don't ***** about how mac osx is better because I really don't care. Vista has plenty of holes but thats why I have ubuntu. And it's free! I do like my free os and software. There is really no point in paying ridiculous amounts of money for something that is comparable to something that is half the price or more. Just illogical in my opinion. But if you have enough money to spend then go ahead.

[ohmygodno]

Those comments absolutely did not live up to the hype. Come on man, it was just a bunch of people complaining about glossy screens.

[poggy777]

Hi
i have just bought the new mac book pro today having moved on from the 2.16 mbp which was my first apple computer. all in all its a great piece of kit, admittedly your paying alot of money but your purchasing a design icon and a powerful one at that. the screen is great no complaints there, the keypad in my view is a pleasure to use however they should of stuck with the aluminium look, the 1piece enclosure is the best ive come across in a notebook without a doubt and the rack padf is intuitive,everything else is what u would expect from apple, solid, dependable and does what it says on the box.
to all the people who seem to gripe about this and that simply if u dont like it dont buy it. innovation is something we all want not same old same old!!!!

[jspahn--2008]

I have had the new mackbook for a week now.
New trackpad is easy to use.
glossy screen can be modified with an ant-glare kit if needbe
backlit keyboard (on my 2.4) is a welcome addition
feels snappier than my 2.0 (duh) white macbook
hard drive is even easier than before to change (put in your own ssd!)
wrist rest area scratches on my watch, have to take it off to use (plastic didn't make that chalkboard sound)

[ajnauron]

I can't imagine spending two grand on a laptop only to get a screen I can't see. I mean, I do think the integrated/dedicated graphics cards are a bonus, but Sony does it better. The black Sony VAIO-esque keys are also a bit out of place. I also don't like the black border around the screen, it reminds me of the iMac and everytime I look at the machine I keep thinking I'm looking at the offspring of a iMac, Macbook Pro, and Sony Vaio. The old one looked better.

[DR.Bod]

My point of view, people don't use their macs to their full capabilities yet so to me, the new macbook is just another computer with a different shell
and Dell already has the universal track pad tech

[groovyd007]

I am a programmer so having a glaring screen is the real deal breaker for me, but the other then this the thing I really disliked about these computers which I have not heard anyone else mention so far is the sharpness across the front edge.

Perhaps my typing posture is sloppy, but my hands tend to rest on the front edge instead of fully on top and the cut of the aluminum across the front is sharp enough to dig in and really irritate me. I would definately have to take a piece of sandpaper to it and dull it down.

About the screen, aren't there any services that can apply anti glare to it? Some place you can send it to with $100 and presto. Seems possible and from the sound of it could be a great business.

[xxrrxx2002]

The glossy screen is supposed to make everything seen on the screen, well, glitter. I've compared a website seen on a matte screen, and on a glossy screen, and I must concur that, the same website on the glossy screen looks better in terms of aesthetics. I own the latest iMac and I believe that the glossy screen on the new Macbooks are more or less the same as on the iMac.

[holewheat]

For me personally I was prepared to make the switch from PC to Mac but the glossy screen was a deal breaker for me. I also initially disliked the idea of no button under the mouse pad but I figure its nothing a wireless mouse couldn't fix. Just my 2 cents....

[groovyd007]

Has anyone tried this stuff?

http://www.techlore.com/article/10868/Is-There-an-Anti-Glare-Coating-for-My-Screen-/

[Dalmatian28]

Outdated CPU....this should have been i7(Nehalem) ...instead you are getting two year old technology with front side buss that is usually considered to be bottleneck! This is just better polished netbook....do NOT call it notebook, it is almost 2009 and standards should be way higher! If the screen is reflective as many people say, get drunk before you buy one! You will have excuse for later!

[Dan_Ackerman]

I also would have preferred an updated CPU of some kind, but I'm pretty sure Nehalem isn't coming to laptops until well into 2009.

[iLap]

I am an iMac owner that loves his computer. I have a dell laptop that I've had for about 4 years. My brother owns what I call an iLap (MacBook). I was very excited when Apple announced the new MacBook. I have been waiting to upgrade my current laptop with something new like the new iLap, however, I like doing some research before making such an investment. What I've come up with is no Firewire, I can live without. Glossy screen, I can perhaps get around. No card reader umm...and it keeps adding up. I want to make an upgrade, but having to make more purchases in order to make it meet my needs is something I can not simply afford. My current Dell is 4 years well served, and it continues to do a fantastic job. I know the new MacBook is an awesome peace of machine, but what happened to the art? I guess I am going to have to wait till the next version of MacBook. Hopefully then, all issues discussed would have been addressed.
-Someday an iLap user

[nortac9455]

for some reason, glass screens feel like 1950's technology to me... maybe it's because TV's back then also had glass screens. buy hey, that's just how i feel.

[ckurowic]

Who actually uses their laptop outside.....matte screens are good but I like the look of glossy better.

[Canberra-photographer]

Glossy screens are problem inside too. Under the flurro office lights, you can loose half your screen to bright glare.
Glossy "looks" better, it isn't though.

[glev123]

I actually like glossy displays. I think that the colors look richer. Its like looking through clear glass while matte displays was like looking through a clouded surface. Haven't actually seen the new MacBook yet but if it is anything like the old one, it would not be a problem for me.

[eburnz]

i dont understand the obsession with mac in general there products are sub-par compaired to other compaines.... Video and audio editing can be done better with a typical pc that is over min req. Apple just continues to dig themselves into another hole by not paying attention to where the portable computer markets is going no blu-ray,no firewire ***.... Once again Mac has only accomplished one thing with there new computer line up.... and thats over pricing something that you can easily save 500 bucks on and still revieve a better laptop than what you'd pay for another mac paper weight. Maybe they\ll get it right one day and realize that tere never going to be as big as other software or computer manufacturers....

[Zacm05]

Ok, you have no idea what you are talking about. They are the most valuable computer company in the world. They make the best operating system with the best software. They are faster than any Windows laptop you throw at it. And they can also run Windows!!! Professionals only use Macs. Just be quiet from now on, you talk like an idiot.

[Canberra-photographer]

"i dont understand the obsession with mac in general there products are sub-par compaired to other compaines...."

Ladies and gentleman, Steve Balmer obviously weighing in. Apple products offer better performance than any PC.

[eburnz]

your the one calling me an idiot for saying macs are garbage, well your sitting there typing that mac's are more powerful than a pc. Where the f@#$% are you coming from on this because there is no way in hell macs are moe powerful look at the specs......
Mac Laptop
2.0ghz
1.5gb ram
nvidia 8500 typically...
Typical PC laptop
2.5ghz amd/intel
1.5ghz + RAM
Nvidia 8500 + graphics

Theres no way a mac is better proformance wise..... What do pro gammers use..... NOT MAC..... They use pc for a reason it can handle way more than any mac and the cost effectiveness by far out weighs mac.... So dont call me an idiot your the one who defends mac like its a god when its nothing ....... IBM makes a better computer than apple which isnt saying much....

P.S. Your a F#$%@ idiot.... And maybe you should read up on computers a little more insted of having a one sided opinion your piece of crap.

[sting7k]

Glossy screen only = will never consider it. I am like many others here. I have no idea why everyone suddenly went to these glossy screens. I have no idea what they are talking about when they say it has better colors. How can the colors be any better when you can't freaking see them? To get a non-glossy screen you have to get a business laptop from dell or someone who makes them custom how you want. I always thought the LCDs greatest advantage was the matte screen that gave ZERO reflections. These new glossy screens are like freaking mirrors I swear. You either have to work in total darkness or have the brightness all the way up and burn out your eyes. Apple laptops got even less appealing, plus they are still way to expensive for what they are selling.

[mgarc1125]

no mouse buttons, i had a problem with only one button now there's none?

[Zacm05]

The entire trackpad is the button. Just try clicking it.

[riddick021]

I can believe they changed the keyboard. The old Macbook pro keyboard was one of the best keyboards I ever typed on. If it aint broke why fix it?