[mchamberlain]

I was wondering what other owners of Macbook Pros are thinking, where can Apple still improve on this machine? In my opinion, here is what I would like to see:
1. A cooler running machine
2. Longer battery life
3. Smaller caps lock key (minor issue)
4. A more scratch-resistant exterior

[ballistik]

a smaller caps lock key???!!!
i really think you are dragging the barrel with that one.
-B-

[SmellTheGlove]

I wouldn't mind seeing them in black myself.

[stashmanguitar]

Personally, I've always loved the aluminum finish, even if it hasn't change in over five years. Everything out there today is in black. The aluminum makes the MacBook Pro look like diamond in a jewelry box. Plus, it's not used as a technology bilboard like everything else. But if Apple could make the casing more scratch resistant, maybe a new coating or finish of some sort, it would be perfect. Except, of course, the thing about the battery life. Please Apple, give us more than 4 hours during "regular" use.

[Curtis_McHale]

Everyone who owns any type of laptop wants a cooler running machine with longer battery life. Our cries seem to fall on deaf ears though. I would like a screen that doesn't take finger print transfer as easy, when your stupid friend touches the screen after months of keeping it clean.

[moose_n_squirrel]

Quote:

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Everyone who owns any type of laptop wants a cooler running machine with longer battery life. Our cries seem to fall on deaf ears though.

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The explanation for that is easy. We are getting what we ask for. Whenever Apple comes out with a new laptop is "How come is isn't more GHz? Where is my Quad Core MacBook Pro? Can't Apple make a 64-bit laptop+OS by now?" That stuff doesn't come for free. It's actually a minor miracle that a MacBook Pro, which has about 8x the processing power of the G4 Titaniums, isn't 8x hotter and 8x shorter in battery life.
The fastest way to get to a cooler laptop with longer battery life is for users to back off a little on expecting it to be a multi-core extra-GHz Mac Pro replacement, or hope Intel can increase the performance per watt ratio so that the same performance doesn't need as much battery power and generate as much heat.
To add to the list, Apple could bring the below-average MBP wireless reception up to the level of the plastic cases (MacBook, PC notebooks). That's probably more important than fingerprint resistance.

[NicholasCox]

Quote:

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The fastest way to get to a cooler laptop with longer battery life is for users to back off a little on expecting it to be a multi-core extra-GHz Mac Pro replacement, or hope Intel can increase the performance per watt ratio so that the same performance doesn't need as much battery power and generate as much heat.

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Well, even though it's ostensibly planned for the rumored subnotebooks, the MacBook Pro could use a bit of flash memory, instead of accessing the hard drive all the time. That might be a faster way than Intel significantly increasing the performance per watt ratio.

[owlshead]

Okay, I'll play and add my 2 cents: I'd move the keyboard down an inch or so. I'm ALWAYS catching my sleeve or watchband on the bottom left hand corner of the machine. Also, they could switch the loction of the left hand USB ports and the Express Card slot - I have a Verizon wireless broadband card with a little antenna that sticks up and is constantly in danger of getting doinked. One super machine, though!

[kersen13]

Better yet a stained alluminum Black that would be sweet..
kinda like how they have colored Ipod Nanos or that smaller one they sell..

[PITBULL831]

Well i have onl had my MacBook Pro for about 2 weeks now and could say that i love it for everthing it has , there is very little that i would like for them to improve on , but sence this is my first Apple and my first Laptop i have nothing to really compare to ... Yet i do have a few ideas that could improve the MBP a little ...
Built in 2" LCD Screen on the outer side of the Laptop so when your in Sleep mode you could still use iTunes for playing songs , or hook it up to your HDtv for watching your TV Shows and Movies with out having your Laptop open all the time ...
Would also like for Apple to build all Laptops like there iPods , with options for all colors , not just Black ... Maybe have all the iPod colors as an option for when your buying your MB or MBP ...
Touch Screen Option later on after there Apple Phone comes out , more like Toshibas Table PC Laptop ... Something to bring the TouchScreen for devolopers to use , or for fun with games ...
Bigger Fast HDD , or even keep the 120GB HDD , but like someone else has said add in a Flash Drive there also for more storeage with out using all the power ... Or even add in the Memory Card Readers for use for what ever you need to tranfers , like your photos or music ...
Add in an HDMI Connection , even if HDtvs arent big at this point , there are alot of them out there , and they use the HDMI , it would be nice to see Apple make the step to use this technology as well . It would also make the port for hooking up your Laptop to a HDtv smaller and give them mroe room to add other stuff latter on ..
As far as my laptop goes , well i love it . I got to say yes i payed alot for it , but its worth ever penny i paid , and wont be upgrading it for at least 2 years .. LOL , If anything at this point i need a new desk top and im looking to get either the Mac Mini or the iMac , but im going to wait tell they upgrade those first ...

[gabby]

pitbull: I hope you won't be upgrading for at least two years -- I'd say that that setup will be suitable without major slowdown for at least 3-4 years. I'll end up pushing mine about 6 before I think about upgrading. That's what I did with my old iBook, and I passed it down to my mother who uses it daily. It was incredibly slow compared to my new MBP and I'm so glad I was finally able to upgrade. I start to get the itch for a new system after about 3 years, but end up just holding out until I really need it /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

as for things I'd like to see changed on the MBP. Battery life is primarily my largest complaint and an extra USB port on the 15" so it would have three.

[Martian]

1)moosensquirrel posted:
To add to the list, Apple could bring the below-average MBP wireless reception up to the level of the plastic cases (MacBook, PC notebooks). That's probably more important than fingerprint resistance."
To that I would add that weak WiFi reception is an absolute 100% total and complete deal breaker for me. Use of metal cases is a prime example of form-over-function mentality. (Take the saved metal and use it to beef up the hinges).
2) Also, add a pointing stick as an alternative to using the trackpad. My Dell Inspiron has this dual system and I mouse exclusively with the stick, and use the trackpad only to scroll. There is absolutely no disadvantage to those who wont use the stick.
3) Use an ExpressCard 54 instead of a 34. They are electronically identical, but the 54 can carry more things internally (stealth F22 Raptor) rather than precariously sticking out poised to be snapped off.
4) Make one in the sub-laptop 10 screen range.
If Apple develops a sub-laptop with strong wireless reception and at least some kind of PCMCIA slot before I give up waiting and have to buy another PC, I will snap it up.

[d00d]

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2) Also, add a pointing stick as an alternative to using the trackpad. My Dell Inspiron has this dual system and I mouse exclusively with the stick, and use the trackpad only to scroll. There is absolutely no disadvantage to those who wont use the stick.

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Sure it is. It's ugly and it gets in the way.

[PITBULL831]

Gaddy If i do end up doing an upgrade it will be more with a DeskTop first , but ifApple did bring out a New MBP in the next 2 years i could endup upgrading this instead . My MBP wouldnt go to waste , i would either give this one to my wife , or set it up for my daughter to use for school ... anykind of way this MBP would still ave some really good use in my house ....
You are right for one thing , the Battery does need an upgrade to a longer lasting one ... It would also be nice to see APPLE use some solor pannels on there laptops to also charge up the batteries while in use for a longer battery life as well ...