Comments on: Five things still missing from Apple MacBooks

We're down with the new SD card slots and lower prices, but there are still a few items on our MacBook wish list.

[artistjoh]

I am an artist and the matte screen is the only option for working with graphics. It is far and away the most important issue.

Express card slot is also a necessity. SD slots are not necessary - a USB SD card reader costs less than 20 bucks. I use one all the time. I also use my express card slot almost daily.

[Gonzie]

"Fortunately, some third-party vendors now offer a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter for around $15."
then what's the problem? Apple did open the mini displayport spec for this reason.

Blu-Ray I heard they haven't quite made them thin enough to fit, yet include all the read write features you would expect so rather than compromise they just haven't gone there yet, that and the mess that the hdmi port "standard" is turning into (neatly side stepped by the above)

I think integrated mobile broadband is simply not worth the money or the effort, what happens if you want to change devices, what happens if you want to use your lil netbook instead? Go for an external usb or even wifi and keep it simple rather than tying it down to one device, or wait just use your iPhone with 3.0 and tethering ^_^

anything else I'm just not bothered about

[Freeradical79]

In line with the Apple philosophy (keep it simple and clean), what I would like to see on a Macbook Pro:

1) A premium 15/17" model with dual drives instead of a DVD burner. Some of us have moved on from optical disc technology (FYI, those who haven't caught on, its dying). 1TB built in storage ... *drool*

2) Matte screen options on all laptops.

3) A wireless docking station (well ok you have to plug power in), but you can leave all peripherals attached to a hub that connects to your laptop, think Airport Express on steroids, or the mac screen without the screen.

4) Black laptops. They look awesome. I would have paid a premium to get an anodized black casing.

5) Wireless broadband option would be neat, but not essential. Wireless net connections are so common these days.

6) Though more an industry problem than a Macbook problem - settle on a f*cking display connector standard! Nearly all screens, whether for computers or entertainment systems, are now using digital connections. So everyone, settle on one. I don't care what it is.

In short, here is my ideal mac laptop: A black anodized unibody aluminum case with a 17" matte screen, dual hard drives (no optical drive) and a wireless dock. I'm not fussed about excessive ports.

[pithenumber]

about the no optical disc drive thing
what world do you live in?

we still use discs a fair bit, yes, the optical drive will die soon, but its still alive and well as of now

[dvelez]

What about a 3 year warranty standard? I don't understand why an expensive notebook don't include it. Most of business notebooks and PCs from HP and Dell have a 3YR warranty, something Apple can change too.

[Tansho]

Does anyone edit your copy before it published...twice you used slowing when slowly should have been use...oh wait, must have written it on a Mac.

[gregorysreid]

You forgot on thing. There is one very nice feature to some of the Dell notebooks.The quick-charge! Macbooks take FOREVER to charge the battery. If you're in some lay-over airport looking for a quick electrical fix between flights, the quick charge capability of a dell can't be beat. Its a very nice feature for the business traveler.

Otherwise, your points are spot on.

PS: I'll still take my new 13" Macbook over my expensive, pimped Dell XPS notebook (which is gathering dust in my closet) any day.

[RSX WHEEEEEE]

Right Click.

[Cambline]

if you want to right click you just use two fingers instead of one, or use a mouse.

[tjlski]

I'm not upgrading until a matte screen is offered on the 15" MBP.
Suggestion - go to the Apple support website and leave product feedback requesting the features most important to you:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

[actorboy]

Mine is a small Complaint... I wish we could get them more personalized... I mean, they are made from the same material as the Nanos and I have a wonderful blue Nano. Why Can't I have a Blue laptop? Or Orange? Other companies like dell go all out on personalization of their products/I would like to see even a small amount of personalization, like color or skins. Other than that I think they are great products and don't really care for a touch screen or Bluray.

[g8989]

What about a number pad?

Difficult to build or even to use on a 15-inch, but what about the 17"? HP is cramming them in on the 16-inch versions. Haven't tried one, but imagine that any amount of data entry would be improved.

[jscott418]

The Glossy screens are just a way to WOW consumers. Anybody else see Apple falling behind the PC's on a few features? I thought Apple was the technology leader? Are they starting to play it safe?
My feeling is that Apple pays too much attention to smooth lines and no access panels keeping these things a priority and leaving features out I don't think is a good ideal. I don't by their battery reason for not having a accessible battery. Most batteries are contoured to a spacific laptop. Seems to me this could have been done. I just think Apple did not want that access panel showing. Think I am crazy? Just think about it.

[ralfthedog]

When another company comes out with a laptop as thin as a Macbook Pro, has the same specs and can run 8 hours on the same charge, you might have a point.

[Mystigo]

I would like an eSata port

[jeveleth]

I don't understand why the concept of a blu-ray drive apart from watching movies is hard to understand? Blu-ray discs offer 50Gb of storage space per disc, and the price of HD camcorders is falling fast. I have hundreds of GB's of HD home videos I would love to backup to a blu-ray disc, this is the primary reason why Apple needs to incorporate this. And this optical standard will be around for a long time, there's too many bandwidth lacking/physical media loving Americans for digital only media to become the standard anytime soon.

[dvelez]

@djames42,
Because the links I posted are from a SQL DBA and from the MS site does not make them false. Maybe in you company/environment Windows/SQL did not worked as you expected. But there are a lot of enterprises running databases with TB of data in Windows/SQL and have no problems at all.

[montex66]

The screen resolution of a Macbook is 1280x800. Blu-ray movie resolution is 1920x1080. Do you guys really think it would be great to have a Blu-ray drive on a laptop that isn't capable of supporting it's resolution? Really? I can see that a Blu-ray drive in a 17" Macbook Pro would make sense since it has the ability to display those pixels, but a Macbook? Seriously?

Ok. I give up. Cnet is staffed by idiots.

[rogerdodger1]

"Despite the fact that nearly every serious laptop user we know prefers matte, non-glossy screens"

Nearly? Serious laptop user? What is a serious laptop user? But that's just an informal poll right? No real statistics. Just looking around at all the 'serious laptop' users you know. Haha.

And you wonder why cnet, and dan ackerman, are a joke.

[phenders]

1. No bluray because Apple wants HD content to be bought from iTunes. As long as HD content is sold on iTunes, there will never be Bluray (playback not authoring) on any Mac or Bluray playback Software for Mac. They will prevent 3rd Parties from releasing playback software too. HD TV shows on iTunes may cease because of the NBC, Fox and ABC Hulu partnership.

3. No HDMI ever on any computer because Apple TV is their HDMI device. Apple doesn't make competing products, which is why the Mac Mini will never be marketed as a HTPC as long as the Apple TV exists.

Cnet should know this already since they are Apple Fanboys.

For sleeping when lid closes, get insomniaX or Caffeine apps.

[cradddockjustin]

How about a cheaper Mac computer!

[cradddockjustin]

Only five things missing?

[cradddockjustin]

I'm not sure if MAC is a good computer for me!

Any thoughts?