[moose_n_squirrel]

In reply to:

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If I were to design the MacBook it would have a right side USB port. I purchased a Hi-Res PB right before the MacBook Pro was announced and find it convenient to have that USB port on the right hand side.

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It is nice to have them on both sides. However, I always use the left side port first. If I plug something into the right side USB port, the space taken up by the USB connector, or the very length of my iPod shuffle, forces my mouse further out to the right which is a less ergonomically neutral position for my arm. Still, I'd rather have a port on both sides rather than just one on the left. But I'd much rather have two on the left.

[sigmaration]

In reply to:

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Ah-ha! Thanks! I should have said "none of the eight iBooks (12 and 14) or Powerbooks(12) I have configured/maintained the last three years have a USB port on the right."

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My 15 inch G4 Powerbook has a USB port on the right (and the left) that I use for an external mouse all the time.
As for the black color -- I agree that it's silly to pay $150 for a black finish. Which is not to say that I think it's silly for them to charge $150 for a black finish. Clearly, the demand for black Apple products are there, as was seen with the iPods. This is just Apple capitalizing on that demand. Which you can't really blame them for, since they are a for-profit business.
I also don't buy the argument that a black finish will make it look like a Dell or an IBM laptop. I haven't seen the back of the MacBook, but I assume there is a GIANT GLOWING APPLE on it. I doubt most people will mistake that for a ThinkPad.
I would have to see and use the glossy screen in person, but I share the same concerns as others.

[Ronald_Schoedel]

In reply to:

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Front loading orientation of the optical drive would've been more practical for cramped spaces.

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Actually, front loading slot drives got a lot of complaints from laptop users who actually use the computer in their lap, or in bed, where the front of the slot is a lot harder to keep open than the right side of the machine.
I think the right side orientation is in response to some reasonably well-proven usability research results.
Ronald Schoedel
Ronald Schoedel's .Mac Homepage

[d00d]

Yup. I did. I think I was one of the first five responses too.

[garyi]

I haven't read everyones comments here. However my feeling is this new book is to expensive, an inferior graphics 'chip set' and 2x256megs of ram at the price they are charging is way above what else is on the market, you can't sell off the design for ever and frankly the new keyboard looks like its going to be a nightmare to use, making it black is only appealing to young kids, those that are serious about switching will no doubt think twice.
No doubt apple will sell plenty to the already faithful, but potential switchers are going to be seeing plenty of other products for far less money, with higher specs.
I mean common, 2 usb and one firewire, on chip graphics sharing a crap amount of ram and a small harddrive
Ports are still on the wrong side haha.

[VidPro]

In reply to:

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Steve likes being the dictator. Many of his ideas is a little before its time. Other things like the removal of the internal modem from the MacBook/MacBookPro is just another example of Steve Jobs sticking his tongue out at the Mac User & saying I am the boss.

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I seriously doubt that this is the case, but Apple, or Steve if you prefer, have to play a balancing act with the feataures they put in or take out. They have to decide the numbers of users for each feature, and how it affects the cost of production.
They have determined that most users are now on one form of broadband or other, and most do not fax, so a feature that not only takes a certain amount of money, but also space and a bit of weight (and does it also use a certain amount of battery power even if not being used?) will not be missed by a great enough majority of users that they can afford to drop it, especially if they can offer a work-around, in this case a small USB modem, which, by the way does not require a power supply, and does both modem and fax duty.
There will always be groups who are upset at a feature that is left out, just as many have complained about additions they don't feel they need. For example, the built-in iSight camera is one that had some forum members riled up, if you recall.
It is unfortunate that you got caught up in the numbers game, but at least even if inconvenient, the external modems can do the job.

[uchuugaka]

you're all insane.
if you want the better graphics, get the macbook pro
meanwhile, the macbook is a kickass deal.
same price as the 14 inch ibook refurbed!
for the top end black!
with more pixels!
plus optical audio in and out!
this is a garageband machine if there ever was one!
plus built in isight, plus front row,
plus ability to run a huge display!
(hello, tv...)
I'm considering trading in my 14 inch ibook and buying the macbook.
these puppies will sell like hotcakes here in tokyo.
(speaking of which, the glossy screens make up half of all sales of monitors and notebooks in Japan.
to some, they appear brighter, but actually, they're glare monsters, get the non-glossy)

[VidPro]

In reply to:

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So, buy the $50 dongle, another item to keep track of the already overloaded bag. If I'm not mistaken the dongle doesn't work for faxing.

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You are mistaken: /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Technical Specifications
Speed: Data up to 56kbps, fax at 14.4kbps
Supports caller ID, wake on ring, telephone answering (V.253), modem on hold
V.92 software support
What's in the Box:
Apple USB Modem with built-in 4.6-inch USB cable
User Guide

[Kees]

compared to the 9550 that was in the iBook, the Intel integrated graphics decelerator is a joke.
I know iBooks/MacBooks aren't gaming machines, but to ship a newer model with graphics that are so much weaker than what preceded it, is just lame, imo.

[Moof_in_Charge]

What has gotten in to some of you folks? Talk about feeling entitlement is a right!
First off, these price-comparisons between the black and white MacBooks are bizarre and unwarranted.
Last week you didnt have a choice, this week you do. And yes, choices can equate to higher prices. Let me explain; Apple has to carry two SKUs and their risk of inventory has gone up tremendously. What happens if the Black color is not viewed as desirable by users? What happens if the color is tremendously successful? How can they possibly manage user expectations? Does anyone doubt your wrath when your black MacBook is delayed for three weeks because it has sold way more than Apple anticipated? So instead of creating a bigger situation to make some of you entitlement-hounds more bitter, they rightly let the price/demand dictate how many MacBooks are sold. This is the first all-black Mac by Apple. I am sure once they can adequately gauge inventory/demand ratio, you'll see the price difference dissipate. Also the MacBook is competitively priced against an $800 PC notebook.
Secondly, all the discussions about the glossy screen is moot unless you see it in person for yourself first. Apple has a history of tweaking displays and achieving a better overall experience when it comes to displays. How about you look at it first before your macho head shoots it down?
You should CELEBRATE today instead of getting lost in your sense of entitlement!

[Steve_S]

In reply to:

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The deal with the devil also has a downside and here it is in the form of the oh so lovely Intel Graphics chipset. So I wonder how much RAM this one is going to gobble up?

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Yeah, I was thinking the same thing... the specs looked to good to be true for that price point until I saw the graphics chip. Sigh I took a look at the Mac mini with Intel's graphics chip and saw it struggle trying to display the iTunes visualizer. This is a rather sad joke really. I'd much rather have a core solo chip with a decent graphics chip and dedicated video memory any day.
As for system memory, Apple apparently limits the usage to 64MB beging "gobbled up".
Steve

[pkeene]

I see the MacBooks don't have a latch. Is that a first for Apple?
Peter

[hayesk]

In reply to:

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But wouldn't it be ironic that since Aperture can't run on MacBooks (need hardware accenleration) that they could become a major reason for the success of Adobe Lightroom?

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Uhm... where does Apple say Aperture can't run on MacBooks? On-board video does not mean it doesn't have hardware acceleration.

[hayesk]

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I would have gone with the Solo processor and priced it at $899 and limited the Duo to the MacBook Pro.

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You are assuming the price difference for Apple for a Core Solo and Duo is more than $200. I don't think that is true.
It's not Apple's job to sell bargain basement cheap laptops. It just gives Apple less profit, and leaves the consumer less satisfied. It doesn't really make much sense to do that.