[Macworld]

Post your comments for Mac case designs: Nirvana achieved? here

[MilSF1]

I would say that the designs for the laptops are probably pretty well set. The only major change I could see is getting thinner via tech like solid state drives, OLED screens, etc. Once you start removing things like screen or keyboard, you're really starting to talk about a new product, not a laptop anymore.
The desktop cases WILL change at some point as not only components get smaller, but fashion changes. The iMacs when from monochromatic to two-tone, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the MacPros starting to get black panels or something.

[haim_vital]

well...the airbook looks the same as the macbook pro to me.
Silver and thin. Not sure what you can really do to make it truly look like a redesign.
Something like the pismo - black and subtle cuves, quite elegant and nice...despite the thickness of it compared to today.
Can we get that black back again and get it with the sleek curves it had with thinness?
People want a redesign, but what do they want, wings on it? A custom paint job? A little this, a little that...I think most people want change for the sake of change, not because it needs improvement.
The imac that was 17 or 20 inch looked quite good on the imac...you know the et one. Very practical, I liked being able to swivel that monitor in any direction.
Although I like that the new imacs are, in concept, getting to be just like a monitor with not apparent computer there...alas, it would be nice to have a swivel in any direction and then perfection... )
Peace
dAlen

[montgomery_burns]

The MacBook Pro hard drive is still not user replaceable like the 13 inch MacBook. The 15 inch MacBook Pro still uses a troublesome design for the optical drive slot. The dvd slot in the 15 inch model is cut into the bottom half of the laptop, with a tiny band of metal above the slot. This design is structurally weak and prone to damage. As a result of heavy use or pressure on the palmrest area, the slot often deforms, making dvd's difficult to insert or eject. Repairing this damage requires disassembling the laptop, removing every single internal component, and replacing the entire bottom half of the laptop. Just for a dvd slot.

In contrast, the dvd slot in the 17 inch MacBook Pro is part of the top half of the laptop. Replacing the top half of the laptop is much easier for the technician, and much cheaper for the customer who has to pay for the repair. Better yet, the dvd drives for all MacBook Pros should be user replaceable so people can slide out the dvd drive and put in a second battery or hard drive.

[cgrscott]

This is an interesting topic you bring up. It seems like I can't imagine how Apple can improve the case design of the MacBook Pro but I think Apple very badly needs a new design for the Mac Pro towers. I never liked the Cheese-grater Wind-Tunnel look. I would like the towers redesigned to look more inviting.
Rob

[TheTSArt]

I was just surprised that they didn't use the new keyboard style on the new MacBook Pro.

[nealp]

Rob, Like yourself, I was hoping for some improvement in the case design of the MacBook Pro's.

[DohItsMe]

One advantage to not changing the case very often is similar to a car model not changing: you always look like you have the new model, even if it's 5 years old.
My Powerbook G4 17inch looks nearly identical to it's more recent brothers. People are often impressed to hear that I'm in my 5th year with this machine. (I've been waiting for this MacBook Pro update to upgrade!)

[SoaDMTGguy]

Apple's current lineup of cases is by far the best in the business. I can't say for sure if they have reached "case design nirvana", because I know that the second I say that, they will release something crazy that no one will have ever thought of that will blow us all away. What I CAN say, however, is that there are some definite improvements I would like to see to their current lineup:
1. Add a magnetic latch to the MacBook Pro.
We have had this in the MacBook for near on two years now, and it would be a very welcome addition to the Pro.
2. Slimmer, lighter laptop cases and thinner bezels.
As our technology gets better, it would be nice to see that reflected in slimmer case designs. I know there is a point where it really cannot get any thinner, but I would like to see gradual reductions in thickness and weight. Also, reducing the bezels around the monitor would be a great way to not only improve the overall look of the computer, but it would also enable the case its self to be smaller and still hold a large screen.
3. iMacs with out the bottom part.
In the last iMac update, Apple touted how they had made the back thinner then prior models. While this does improve the side-view of the computer, it doesnt change the view from the front, which is what most people see. I would much rather have a slightly thinker iMac if it meant that the entire computer could fit behind the screen, eliminating the need for that bottom part that hangs down below. Then you could truly say "wheres the computer?".
4. A Mac tablet.
While this isnt really a "case design" and more of a new model of laptop, I would love to see a Mac tablet. Sure, theres the ModBook, but with such a high price tag and no keyboard, its uses are pretty limited. I'm talking about a true, convertible tablet, made by Apple. The day Apple does this, I will an extremely happy man.

[danviento]

What some people might fail to see is that beveled corners were once one of Apple's signature design elements. It was the first GUI to introduce the concept (Roughly Drafted has a nice piece on it). It'd be hard to break away again, especially with as efficient use of materials as the shapes are. They simple shell works well for a thin display bezel, wastes little material in manufacturing, and makes it easy to calculate volume.
That being said, perhaps apple could use a slight modification in overall product form, though you'll have to give them this- you know it's an Apple when you see those simple lines and rounded edges. No one else seems to want to go this way (although some of the mobile phone and player markets are just now trending towards this design aesthetic).
These simple forms call attention to the high-quality materials that are used, whereas many other companies use cheaper ones and try to draw attention away from the fact with busy lines. However, other case producers are starting to realize that busy forms distract while working. I've always liked my mono-color PowerBook compared to other laptops because I can easily focus on the screen and keys without being even marginally distracted by glossy or vari-colored materials.
You might note that Apple is trending towards new forms and materials in the iPhone, iPod touch, and iMac, so the company is producing a new look. However, when it comes to professionals that want the machines as tools more than toys or decoration, most are just fine with a very functional, efficient, clean shell to hold that screaming power.

[ReggaeFire]

The iMac design is even older than you're remembering, the basic design goes back to the original G5 iMac, released in August 2004. They slimmed it and added the iSight with the second version of the G5 iMac in October 2005.

[DisabledTrucker]

I'd like to at least see some colors in the lineup of it's current designs, outside of that, I don't really see a need to change much. The Mini, however could use a slightly bigger case to house that wireless "n" inside it, like the aTV does. Still there's no Pro Mini either, which is also a shame. I like the iMac and Mac Book designs but, again, where's the color? These bland looking aluminum models need some flair that Apple is good at...

[MacGeekPro]

I was also somewhat disappointed by the MacBook Pro announcement this morning sloely because of case design. I have only two gripes with the current design: the latch mechanism and the keyboard. I love my MacBook's keyboard, and I can see a Pro being in my future within a year or two. I hated my iBook's keyboard. This would be a deal-breaker for me and keep me at the MacBook level.
The latch, well, not a deal-breaker, but it would be nice to see the Pro fall in line with it's little brothers.

[JakeB]

After over seven years (!) using my Powerbook G3 Pismo I've been waiting for this upgrade to the MacBook Pro (think I'll see a performance increase??).
I breathed a huge sigh of relief that the 'classic' MacBook Pro design has been retained for edition. I don't like the look of the Air keyboard at all; I think it looks cheap compared to the Pro's silver keys.
I'm all for small modifications/improvements, but be careful what you wish for -- remember the days of the 'toilet seat' iBooks?
Jake