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[Dacvak]

I genuinely dislike the Apple OS, so I'll probably never own a MacBook. But everytime I use one, I notice a few small things that simply make the hardware design seem brilliant. Quick disclaimer, I'd rather this not turn into a Mac vs PC debate. There are lots of things that make Windows/PCs better, and there are lots of things that make Macs better. By now, we should realize that it's entirely based on preference.

First and foremost, magnetical power chord connectors. Why on earth doesn't every laptop have this? It's the single greatest invention I've seen for laptop computers. Is it a patent thing? It doesn't seem like many people mind stealing patents from Apple, especially considering they patent a lot of bullshit unpatentable thing.

The second extremely noticeable benefit to MacBooks are the incredible trackpads. I'm mainly referring to the older MacBook Pro trackpads, as I'm not a huge fan of the "whole click" trackpads they're currently sporting. But it seems to me that they work so incredibly better than just about every PC trackpad I've ever used. I've used a lot, too; even ones that support multitouch. None of them move or react nearly as smooth and precise as an Apple trackpad. The multitouch scrolling is unparalleled, specifically. (Of course, the lack of a physical right-click and lack of a middle click kind of bothers me.)

And I guess while I'm on the subject of cool things a Mac does that my PC doesn't, I'd love to mention the built-in zoom the Apple OS is sporting. Ctrl+Scroll. It's so simple, it's nice and anti-aliased, and it simply works better than any method I've used on PC.

Why is it that, with an industry that borrows new technologies from EVERYBODY, we haven't mainstreamed some of the most obvious ones? Perhaps they're out there on PC laptops, but I've never seen them, meaning they aren't mainstreamed. Again, I'm not a Mac-hater, but I simply dislike the operating system, and Windows 7 suits me better for what I do. I just wish I could enjoy some of the obvious hardware benefits like my Apple brothers and sisters do.

 

[SnakeXs]

Money and patents is my wager.

 

[mr jones]

It begs to be asked: Why not get a macbook and run Win 7 as a virtual machine? Best of both worlds?

 

[Dacvak]

Money and patents is my wager.

That makes me wonder why/how PC laptops currently sport multitouch trackpads and built-in front-facing cameras. I was under the impression that Apple patented both of those. (At least multitouch trackpads, for sure.)

 

[LCfiner]

well, some of the stuff you mentioned works so smoothly because it’s built into the OS.

it’s not just hardware. Some vendors may build utilities that sit on top of Windows to do similar things but they’re not as good as Apple for software and they would need to wait for MS to build those features into the OS to get them to the same level of polish as the Macs.

still not sure about the magnetic power adapter. might be patented but I’m sure there’s multiple ways to design it. :|

 

[RustyNails]

MacBooks having good aspects is news to me.

 

[Dacvak]

It begs to be asked: Why not get a macbook and run Win 7 as a virtual machine? Best of both worlds?

I was expecting this comment. I've used Windows 7 on a MacBook. It runs, but not well. It runs worse on a new MacBook than it does on my $500 laptop, imo.

 

[SnakeXs]

That makes me wonder why/how PC laptops currently sport multitouch trackpads and built-in front-facing cameras. I was under the impression that Apple patented both of those. (At least multitouch trackpads, for sure.)

Either they got around those patents by doing similar things with differing technologies, Apple doesn't have the patents on them, or they paid a fee.

 

[radios shipping overview]

MacBooks having good aspects is news to me.

Aaaand here we go!

 

[projekt84]

Pretty sure the magnetic power thing is heavily patented.

Put windows on a Macbook if you like the hardware so much. They make really good Windows laptops.

I like the trackball things on Thinkpads. More laptop manufacturers should do it.

 

[Trojita]

Apple really does Patent everything it is ridiculous. I much prefer bigger trackpads though and don't know why other laptops don't add them.

 

[Dacvak]

Either they got around those patents by doing similar things with differing technologies, Apple doesn't have the patents on them, or they paid a fee.

Have you ever read some of Apple's patents, though? They purposefully make them as vague as possible in order to catch anyone who tries to infringe on their technology.

I remember the patent for multitouch being something as simple as "interfacing with the operating system using more than one input simultaneously" or something like that. I could be completely wrong, though.

 

[Polk]

That makes me wonder why/how PC laptops currently sport multitouch trackpads and built-in front-facing cameras. I was under the impression that Apple patented both of those. (At least multitouch trackpads, for sure.)

Aren't all new-ish Synaptics touchpads multitouch?

 

[Dabanton]

MacBooks having good aspects is news to me.

Really? Really? :lol

 

[SnakeXs]

Have you ever read some of Apple's patents, though? They purposefully make them as vague as possible in order to catch anyone who tries to infringe on their technology.

I remember the patent for multitouch being something as simple as "interfacing with the operating system using more than one input simultaneously" or something like that. I could be completely wrong, though.

That's not exclusive to Apple. Who would go after a patent and drone on over minutiae? It's counterproductive to gaining a patent. And things that vague can be applied for but are usually clarified a bit more before you get anything granted. You give only as much as you have to. It's how the system works.

 

[Dacvak]

Aren't all new-ish Synaptics touchpads multitouch?

Yes. I meantioned that in the OP, but not specifically. I know that multitouch trackpads are patented by Apple. So how is Synaptics getting away with it?

Also, just to be clear, the Synaptics trackpad sucks in comparison to the Apple trackpad. It's just the truth. I have one, and it's not nearly as good. It can be customized in a way that makes it decent, but not as good. It's a shame.

 

[Mobius 1]

It begs to be asked: Why not get a macbook and run Win 7 as a virtual machine? Best of both worlds?

Even better, it runs natively and one could use a Macbook without ever looking at OSX (except the first time, for installation purposes of course).

 

[Empty]

i wish they would. it's a nightmare for me going from the wonderful touchpad on my MBP, to using the touchpad on a friend or families laptop. i can't deal with going back.

 

[teepo]

laptops at equivalent price points are usually better.

but still, the build quality of the macbooks.. drooool

 

[Dacvak]

That's not exclusive to Apple. Who would go after a patent and drone on over minutiae? It's counterproductive to gaining a patent. And things that vague can be applied for but are usually clarified a bit more before you get anything granted. You give only as much as you have to. It's how the system works.

True. To be fair, I haven't seen more vague patents than the one's I've read from Apple. Still, I'm not attacking them. It's how they do business, and it obviously works to a degree.

But it's a fucked-up, flawed system. God dammit, I want magnetic power adapters so damn bad. But not bad enough to drop $2000 on a MacBook to get marginally good Windows performance, I guess.

 

[sarcastor]

It begs to be asked: Why not get a macbook and run Win 7 as a virtual machine? Best of both worlds?

cause a 17" macbook is $2200? You can get a decent 17" PC laptop for $600 but the battery only last 2 hours versus 8 hours on the Mac. I guess they cost $2200 cause Apple spends shitloads on R&D and it fucking shows.

I wish more notebooks use slot DVD instead of trays. Way more sexier and versatile. Yeah you can't play those 3" CDs, but who the fuck cares.

btw the closest thing to a PC macbook would be the HP envy

 

[Dacvak]

Yeah you can't play those 3" CDs, but who the fuck cars.

The Wii can do it. Why wouldn't a Mac? (Or similar slot drive?)

 

[sarcastor]

The Wii can do it. Why wouldn't a Mac? (Or similar slot drive?)

cause the Wii plays gamecube games so Nintendo designed the slot drive to read 3" cds, while Apple realizes that no one else uses them so they said fuck it?

 

[Dacvak]

cause the Wii plays gamecube games so Nintendo designed the slot drive to read 3" cds, while Apple realizes that no one else uses them so they said fuck it?

Makes sense. No one does ever use them. I guess the only reason I could see myself using them is to edit video for my dad, who has one of those camcorders that writes directly to those little guys.

 

[Jill Sandwich]

I was on a work colleagues' WinXP laptop today and was almost screaming at the screen with frustration as they had enabled 'tap to drag', 'hover to select', 'tap to select' and every other extraneous shit on their trackpad. You couldn't turn it off either, even going to trackpad settings next to the clock. The trackpad was the size of a DV tape too. SO irritating. My MB trackpad feels like an open field on a sunny day after that experience!

I'd say the HP Envy series rip off the MacBooks pretty well.

 

[eznark]

The only thing I want on a PC notebook from a macbook is the keyboard. Man I love the keyboards.

Too bad everything else is trash.

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

You can buy slot-loading DVD drives.

I'd kill for a backlit keyboard though. Why don't more manufacturers think of that?

 

[SnakeXs]

You can buy slot-loading DVD drives.

I'd kill for a backlit keyboard though. Why don't more manufacturers think of that?

I cringe any time I'm away from mine.

 

[agm2502]

cause the Wii plays gamecube games so Nintendo designed the slot drive to read 3" cds, while Apple realizes that no one else uses them so they said fuck it?

The ps3 reads them as well I think so a pc maker has no excuse not to use one unless they are more expensive

 

[hiro4]

You can buy slot-loading DVD drives.

I'd kill for a backlit keyboard though. Why don't more manufacturers think of that?

I've got backlit fever so bad I even want it on my normal desktop keyboard and refuse to buy one without backlit.

For every thing apple does bad (price, gaming) they do other things so damn good: trackpad, battery, encasing.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

PThey make really good Windows laptops.

decent, but not great. the trackpad is less awesome and the drivers could be better.

battery life takes a nosedive.

 

[SUPREME1]

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE THREADS TURNS INTO A PC VS MAC THREAD. YOU KNEW THAT ALREADY, THUS THE DISCLAIMER.



Thinly veiled, sir. Thinly veiled.

 

[andycapps]

The only thing I want on a PC notebook from a macbook is the keyboard. Man I love the keyboards.

Too bad everything else is trash.

Vaio's are just as good, personally. Trackpads are another story.

The main things I like about the hardware design of Macbooks (not a Mac user) are the unibody, slot loading drives, the keyboards, the trackpad, and the magnetic power adapter. So yeah, I like the designs as well.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

btw the closest thing to a PC macbook would be the HP envy

Envy isn't there yet. build quality is questionable and there are lots of issues yet to resolve.

only thing concerning me about the latest MBP's are the high idle and load temperatures. But I'm told that last gen's MBP's were also high, so maybe it's not a real issue.

that and the rather weak (relatively speaking) GPU. an ATi solution would have been much better: more powerful and energy-efficient. and so to that end, most PC laptops costing more than $1400 are more powerful than the MBP. BUT...the MBP has advantages of its own.

life is about trade-offs I guess. I just wish the Envy had been a more solid offering from HP. maybe they right the ship with the Envy 15 refresh and Envy 17 launch. but I won't be their guinea pig.

Vaio's are just as good, personally. Trackpads are another story.

the keyboard and trackpad on my Vaio AW were to die for. but none of the multitouch fun.

 

[sarcastor]

The ps3 reads them as well I think so a pc maker has no excuse not to use one unless they are more expensive

well we've been using them in car stereos since the 1980s yet 99% of pc laptops have that stupid tray. The slot drive is way more elegant and space saving.

Is there any 17" PC laptop that doesn't weigh 15 lbs and last longer than 3 hours?

 

[Karma]

Pretty sure the magnetic power thing is heavily patented.

Magnetic power connectors were around along before MagSafe. Deep fryers and other cooking appliances have used them for years.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Magnetic power connectors were around along before MagSafe. Deep fryers and other cooking appliances have used them for years.

Spoiler

fatass

jk

 

[andycapps]

the keyboard and trackpad on my Vaio AW were to die for. but none of the multitouch fun.

Yeah that's what I mean. The multitouch is something that I wish that Microsoft had focused more on with Windows 7, but for me, I'm using a mouse most of the time with my laptop so it doesn't bug me much.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Yeah that's what I mean. The multitouch is something that I wish that Microsoft had focused more on with Windows 7, but for me, I'm using a mouse most of the time with my laptop so it doesn't bug me much.

for me, I don't miss what I never had. lol.

but if (when) I pick up my MBP (I may wait another month, just to make sure the high temperatures don't cause part failures), I may have a hard time going back to living without.

 

[SnakeXs]

Magnetic power connectors were around along before MagSafe. Deep fryers and other cooking appliances have used them for years.

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7311526.html

 

[Apath]

It begs to be asked: Why not get a macbook and run Win 7 as a virtual machine? Best of both worlds?

It's what I do, but the multi-touch scrolling sucks major balls for Windows.

And why haven't other industry "leaders" gotten the hint and at least copied a portion of Apple's great aesthetics? Beyond me.

 

[WickedAngel]

The only thing I've ever really wanted from the Mac is the magnetic power supply but I'm fairly certain that they've got that idea patented to Hell and back.

The minimalist styling is nice but I don't like the sharp edges or the keyboard.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

It's what I do, but the multi-touch scrolling sucks major balls for Windows.

And why haven't other industry "leaders" gotten the hint and at least copied a portion of Apple's great aesthetics? Beyond me.

maybe patents (?)

 

[Jewbacca]

Yea just the magnetic power plug, everything else is rather bland.

 

[Karma]

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7311526.html

What is your point? Apple did not invent the magnetic power connector.

 

[projekt84]

I like Sony laptops a lot. Way more than Mackbooks.

Macbooks are definitely nice looking though.

But if I were to actually buy a laptop, I'd probably get some Asus powerhouse with insane performance.

 

[Jill Sandwich]

Just an aside, do you think the MacBook Air will get refreshed, or dropped?

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

cause a 17" macbook is $2200? You can get a decent 17" PC laptop for $600 but the battery only last 2 hours versus 8 hours on the Mac. I guess they cost $2200 cause Apple spends shitloads on R&D and it fucking shows.

It's mainly because of the following:

- Unlike most other companies Apple makes money off of hardware and sells software at a loss. Compare and contrast the price of Mac OS vs Windows OS (especially when comparing the full versions), iWork vs Microsoft Office, Logic Studio and Final Cut Studio vs any other professional working studio (this would result in at least an extra $1200 spent).

- Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't most computer manufacturer's selling their hardware at a loss besides Apple and Dell? This is what I've heard could someone please clarify.

- They're thin and lite stylish laptops. Go look at Apple's competitors laptops in that same category and see how much of a "bang for your buck" those are.

well we've been using them in car stereos since the 1980s yet 99% of pc laptops have that stupid tray. The slot drive is way more elegant and space saving.

Is there any 17" PC laptop that doesn't weigh 15 lbs and last longer than 3 hours?

I've seen 4 hours.

 

[Vestal]

Funny story..

Here at work they have bought about 20ish or so MacBooks and basically just installed Windows 7 Natively and never looked back.. Its HILARIOUS and at the same time sad.


Its stupid, you can get a laptop with twice the horsepower and storage than a MacBook for the same or lower price. Not to mention that as a person who works in the IT department its a PAIN in the arse to work the hardware problems on the Crapbooks .

I personally have a Sager Laptop 17" screen 1920x1200 screen that beats the living crap of any of these newly bought Crapbooks and I bought this laptop 2 years ago for basically the same price ROFL

 

[Vestal]

- Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't most computer manufacturer's selling their hardware at a loss besides Apple and Dell? This is what I've heard could someone please clarify.

I've seen 4 hours.

No.. this is not the console market.