Annoying Things about the MacBook

[mkrishnan]

I'll think you'll find that most OS X programs are designed with the notion that the user WON'T ever be messing around in the file system.

True that. I think this is really the ultimate answer, too. Programs like iTunes and iPhoto that manage media for you let you engage in fairly sophisticated searches and let you make multiple associations between media very naturally. As Spotlight and program management tools and other virtual associations let you find files you need quickly, I don't think the idea of having the user deal with folder hierarchies is going to become more prominent. I think it's going to become less and less prominent.

 

[SVG]

1. My MagSafe is actually pretty good, you should bring it back if it falls out easily.

2. 2 USB ports not a problem for me.

3. 1 headphone jack, most laptops have 1 also.

4. Speakers are not loud enough, that's true, I use headphones when I need to.

5. IPhoto, no comment ...

6. I know the C2D Macbook is better, but I also do not regret buying mine when I did.

 

[dopey220]

The only thing the Thread Starter said that I can identify with is the matter of the speakers. They are pretty lame, but I have a set of external speakers I can use at home.

 

[After G]

Anyone not like the keyboard?

I like the feel of "fat" keys (I have an Apple BT keyboard right now). I do like the MBP keyboard more than the Macbook one ... too bad the MBP costs so much more.

I know I can bring the Apple BT kb along, but it's not really practical.

And I wish Apple would improve the speakers.

 

[CaptainCaveMann]

1. magport

this is one of the things i dispise about my macbook (white 1.83gHz).
whenever i have my computer anywhere other than a desk, the magport falls out all the time and i have to worry about situating it so that the cord will stay in... so annoying.

the point of the magport is that if you trip over a cord, the computer wont be pulled everywhere, but other cables plugged into the computer will pull it off anyway

2. only 2 USB ports
they could definitely fit another one on the other side, where the CD rom is.

3. only one headphone jack

4. the speakers are not loud enough

5. omg i HATE the way iPhoto handles pictures.
if i import the pic into iPhoto, it saves it in data folder and originals folder and then if i enhance it, it saves it again in the modified folder
my camera is 6 megapixels so saving pics 3 times a piece is wasteful
when i import 512kb worth of pics into i photo it takes up a gig, then i need to modify each of them (i'm a photo nerd) so that's another 512kb

6.macbooks got better as soon as i bought mine.
i bought mine and the core 2 duos came out the next day it seems like.

i dont regret buying mac though, over all its a great computer. i hate the way i bought it (thanks to my overbearing mother, but that's a topic in and of itself)
i needed one for college this past september, and i sure wasn't about to get a windows before they start shipping with vista.

You forgot to mention the bizarre keyboard design.

 

[ghanakidd]

Item 1: Definitely haven't had any issues with MagPort/MagSafe. Been a godsend if anything. If yours falls out that easily, definitely bring it to a Mac store (maybe somehow the cord lost magnetism)

Item 2: For all the years I've used Macs/PCs, I've not found the USB ports to be a critical issue. Any operation requiring more than two USB ports usually means a hub would get the job done better (and cut down on wires hanging out all over the place)

Item 3: Get a splitter. RadioShack, eBay, or any halfway decent audio/music store. Besides, I've never actually seen a laptop with two dedicated headphone jacks.

Item 4: This is true. But, I think most laptops are this way. Frankly, I've always preferred a solid set of headphones or standalone speakers if I really need optimal sound output. The internal speakers on most laptops are just meant to be "functional". You're asking for a lot to cram true audiophile-quality speakers into these things IMHO.

Item 5: Not really a photograph nut, so iPhoto works for me. But I agree with earlier poster -- if you want the more high-end option, go with Aperture or one of the Adobe products

Item 6: Again, I agree with some of the other posters. All the research and waiting won't do the least bit of good -- there's already serious discussion and anticipation of CORE FOUR chip (four processors on one chip rather than just two). So, if you needed the MB or MBP when you bought it and its sufficiently filling that need, then that's the best you can ask for. No worries about the next generation coming out -- it'll always happen that way.

 

[stevento]

Suggestions for Next Gen Macbook.

OK this time, instead of bitching to high heaven about my macbook I will make some suggestions about how the next generation should work.

1. No Backups
iTunes and iPhoto always save files more than once, and it wastes space. There's no need for there to be backups of everything, just be careful.

2. Louder Speakers
The macbook is supposed to be the incredible media machine. and its really lacking in my opinion. i live in dorm and kids with POS Dell Inspirions are blowing my speakers away

3. How about an internal card reader?! the macbook is supposed to be better than PCs for pics and home movies but there's no card reader like most pcs now have. not even the MBP has it. (firewire isn't enough)

4. more than 2 usbs ports.

5. please get rid of the mag port, apple i beg of you. it NEVER stays in
unless its sitting on a desk (which defeats the purpose of a laptop)

6. develop photo booth

7. redo the CD hardware

My general suggestion is to make it more of what its supposed to be, which is media-capable
i'm not trying to be a troll, i just want to see if others hate what i hate about it.

 

[dornoforpyros]

ummm ok, I can now see why your not an industrial designer with apple. And let me guess, you want all that AND a sub $1000 price tag eh?

 

[D34th]

First off, I'm not arguing or fighting you, so don't take any of this personally. And secondly, it is only what I think...

Numbers 1 and 6 are software not hardware. And what do you mean by develop photoboth?

2. I don't know one person who uses the standard speakers on any laptop unless they are away from their desk, and in that case, they are using headphones 98% of the time.

3. Would be nice, and I can certainly see a lot of people liking this idea, but I live perfectly without it.

4. I never have more than two USB ports being used, but it would be nice to have one more and again, I can understand many people wanting this. What about a USB HUB? The only place I would even have more than 2 USB cables near eachother would be on my desk, so a HUB wouldn't bother me.

5. No offense, but I strongly disagree here. The MagSafe adapter is just genious and I have never had any problems with it, on my lap, on my couch, in awkard positions, and on my desk.

7. What about the CD hardware???

Also, numbers 2, 3, and 4 would make the laptop a bit bulkier and take away from the sleep thin design. I'm not saying anyone would rather have a slightly more bulky machine for those extra options, I'm just saying.

That's just my two cents (again, not fighting with you...).

 

[richard4339]

1. No Backups
I'm looking forward to time machine, as I'm really hoping its better than Backup, and will work better with iTunes. I think this whole process (not just iTunes) needs to be redone.

2. Louder Speakers
I have a MBP, and half the time, my speakers are more than loud enough, though with some low quality audio clips, I have occasional problems; but honestly, I think the speakers are perfect as they are (but once again, I have a MBP).

3. internal card reader
I like the small design of my MBP. Personally, I'd prefer to have an Apple branded firewire card reader, that way, it doesn't make my notebook bulkier, but also just works (which is what Apple is all about)

4. More USB Ports
Not a bad idea, but not-needed in my opinion. I've never had a laptop with more than 2 USB ports, and have never needed more.

5. Mag Safe
I ADORE MagSafe, and hope above all hopes that they do not get rid of it. In my opinion, its one of the top selling points of the Mac. And, I rarely have problems with it popping out.

6. develop photo booth
More details may be needed here. I love Photo Booth.

7. redo the CD hardware
I do agree that copying/burning CDs can be tricky sometimes. I still haven't quite mastered it (I've only been using a Mac for 6 months now, and rarely burn CDs anymore), and would appreciate a more all-in-one approach like Roxio or Nero has. However, this has nothing to do with the hardware, and love the hardware the way it works.

 

[whosgotsoul]

ummm ok, I can now see why your not an industrial designer with apple. And let me guess, you want all that AND a sub $1000 price tag eh?

Kind of a harsh response IMO.

I'm a lifelong PC user that is in the midst of switching to Mac. I'm sick of Windows and have loved OSX in the little time I've used it.

I thought that making the switch would be easy...OSX is better & Apple seems to be the king of design with whatever product they release right!? Well, I'm afraid that, while they have released many great products, they have dropped the ball BIG TIME with the new Macbook Pros.

All I expect is a piece of hardware that offers everything that rival PC notebooks have...in a notebook made by Mac! Seems like an easy thing to ask for...and you would EXPECT it for the price ($2200 - $3100 Canadian). But the fact is, the screens are crap...they could add another USB port and other hardware options that ARE featured on PC notebooks with either similar prices or less!

I'm not an Apple designer, but I have built notebooks and desktops in the past and know that it doesn't cost much to put quality parts and add things like more ports (if the design allows for it) when you're retailing them for 2-3k!

One thing that I've learned, and admire, is that a lot of people in the Mac community are completely enamoured by Apple and it's products. This is great...I want to jump on the bandwagon and have a product to brag about too! But when you're still backing up a product that isn't up to spec, just because it is an Apple product...well, you'll only lead to a decline in product quality by accepting sub-par products. If the community still rants and raves about a sub-par product, why should Apple spend more in developing them?

Sorry for the long rant, and I'm not labelling the entire Mac community...just a few, but this has been my experience.

PS - I still want to make the switch - but will just wait for a while.

 

[Warbrain]

ummm ok, I can now see why your not an industrial designer with apple. And let me guess, you want all that AND a sub $1000 price tag eh?

And for it to come with Windows installed1

The main reason why there aren't more USB ports and a card reader is because of the fact that the computer would have to get much thicker in order to support those additional mechanisms that most people will never, EVER need. There is no need to have a built-in card reader - it's just wasted space and power. Same goes for more USB ports. If you have that many USB things to plug in at once, why do you have a portable? You've got a trackpad and a keyboard already...

 

[72930]

I know it is a little dangerous, but I actually sometimes listen to my MB while in the bath in hotels, podcasts especially. If it is far away enough to be out of water reach, it is often not loud enough.

I know there is a 3rd party solution, but I would like a lock option on the magsafe. It is great, but in some situations, I would prefer a regular attachment.

I love slot loading, but importing/burning is too slow.

I like photobooth.

 

[bogen]

I just want a real Graphics card. Oh well! MBP it is then.

 

[dornoforpyros]

Kind of a harsh response IMO.

that's what I was going for! Start a stupid thread, get a stupid response!

 

[macjay]

ummm ok, I can now see why your not an industrial designer with apple. And let me guess, you want all that AND a sub $1000 price tag eh?

Because Apple has such a low profit margin, right?

 

[dornoforpyros]

Because Apple has such a low profit margin, right?

I'm not saying apple shouldn't have a sub $1000 notebook. I'm just saying this guys "suggestions" are nothing more than pie in the sky dreams. And as other's have pointed out his suggestions of "redo the cd hardware" doesn't even outline what his problem with the hardware is.

 

[hardhatmac]

I dont know about expanding photo booth, but I would like to see iphoto expanded. I need more organization... not just a bunch of folders. I want a folder within a folder. For exapmle I want the folder to be titled 2006 and within that folder have sub folders like christmas and vacation and so on and so forth. That would be cool.

 

[whosgotsoul]

dornoforpyros: my bad...

 

[Groovey]

OK this time, instead of bitching to high heaven about my macbook I will make some suggestions about how the next generation should work.

1. No Backups
iTunes and iPhoto always save files more than once, and it wastes space. There's no need for there to be backups of everything, just be careful.

2. Louder Speakers
The macbook is supposed to be the incredible media machine. and its really lacking in my opinion. i live in dorm and kids with POS Dell Inspirions are blowing my speakers away

3. How about an internal card reader?! the macbook is supposed to be better than PCs for pics and home movies but there's no card reader like most pcs now have. not even the MBP has it. (firewire isn't enough)

4. more than 2 usbs ports.

5. please get rid of the mag port, apple i beg of you. it NEVER stays in
unless its sitting on a desk (which defeats the purpose of a laptop)

6. develop photo booth

7. redo the CD hardware

My general suggestion is to make it more of what its supposed to be, which is media-capable
i'm not trying to be a troll, i just want to see if others hate what i hate about it.

Sounds like you'd be wanting to buy yourself one of those pc-laptops with a little bit of everything here and there. Or maybe they should add some more led lights on the MB. Nah, just kidding.

Edit: The Time Machine could be somethingh awesome! Waiting.

 

[2jaded2care]

I don't have a MB or MBP yet, but... neither will play a DVD without booting up, will they? If not, there's a feature I'd appreciate...

 

[Mac'Mo]

customizable vid card
SMALLER/LIGHTER!!!!!

 

[Collin973]

I really feel a card reader is completely unnecessary. I can think of few devices that use cards: Digital cameras, some cell phones and PSPs. Now, i'm fairly certain that all digital cameras use the mini usb 2.0 port and they come with the USB cable, therefore eliminating the need for a card reader for the camera's card. I've never actually touched a PSP, but it probably has a USB 2.0 port on it. And cell phones with those MINI SD cards come with the SD adapter, which if you have a digital camera, you can sync it like the camera does. Or, to fix all of this, buy a 15 dollar 9 in 1 card reader from amazon and use it rarely. I have one I maybe use it 3 or 4 times a year because I sync all my photos over USB.

I seriously doubt many peolpe use memory cards to store data for transfering between systems. If you're still doing that, get a flash drive. It works on any computer built with in the last decade and it's going to work for quite a while. So, card readers are completely unnecessary.

Now, about the MBPs. I think mine is absolutely grand. I don't have any problems with my screen. I love my MBP. I love it's design; it's sturdiness and everything about it. I hate tray loading drives on laptops. Every time i've used one...it never slides out all the way and you have to lift up that side of the laptop just to put your CD. Nope, not on an MBP. just slide it in.

 

[Planner Dude]

Macbook:
An upgradeable (BTO even) GPU..is a must
Double layer dvd
Fire wire 800

Macbook Pro:
a less expensive model (i guess it could also be a more expensive macbook)

 

[solvs]

1. No Backups
iTunes and iPhoto always save files more than once, and it wastes space. There's no need for there to be backups of everything, just be careful.

You can set them both not to make duplicates. It's in their preferences. Then it only saves after you make changes. iPhoto '07 is supposed to be better though.

2. Louder Speakers

Would be nice. My iMac's built in ones are pretty nice. Still use externals though.

3. How about an internal card reader?!

Most of us would never use that. There are externals that do this fine. Most of them small and bus powered. Why would you need anything faster? Runs just as fast as internal.

4. more than 2 usbs ports.

Apple's consumer machines are always like this. Mini got more, maybe the MacBook will too. Bus powered mini hubs are cheap though if you need more.

5. please get rid of the mag port, apple i beg of you. it NEVER stays in unless its sitting on a desk (which defeats the purpose of a laptop)

Maybe yours is broken. I'd prefer they stay. A friend has a broken adapter on her Sony thanks to it being pulled out by her Daughter, and it sucks. Especially with it's hour long (if you're lucky) battery life.

I'm sure they're making it better though.

6. develop photo booth

They are, but it has nothing to do with hardware.

7. redo the CD hardware

I'm with everyone else, what's wrong with it?