Five things still missing from Apple MacBooks

By Dan Ackerman on 23 June 2009

(Credit: CBSi)

The latest incarnation of Apple's MacBook laptops are in the market, and while we really like what we see, especially the new SD card slots and lower prices, that shouldn't stop us for asking for more, should it? Here are five items still on our MacBook wish list:

  • Matte screen options

    Despite the fact that nearly every serious laptop user we know prefers matte, non-glossy screens, only Apple's 17-inch MacBook Pro offers a matte option — in the form of an AU$80 anti-glare coating add-on.

    Especially with the current models' edge-to-edge glass, popping open a MacBook outdoors (or in an over-lit room) is just asking for trouble. Sure, glossy screens make colours pop and movies more dramatic — but we'd like to have the option of choosing a matte screen anyway (and not for an extra AU$80, either).

  • Blu-ray drives

    While high-capacity Blu-ray drives aren't quite a necessity, the format is slowly gaining a foothold. Many Windows laptops at least offer it as an option, and many high-end laptops in the MacBook's price range include a Blu-ray drive by default.

    Leaving aside the idea of having a high-capacity optical backup capability, Blu-ray seems like a natural fit for the MacBook's multimedia-friendly vibe.

  • Mobile broadband options

    We're slowly getting to the point where having a mobile broadband account connected to your laptop is a practical tool, rather than an exotic novelty. In Australia, a few vendors have dipped their toe in this pond, (most notably Dell with Vodafone), but surely we can expect more options in the future.

  • HDMI outputs

    Mini DisplayPort is Apple's video connection of choice, and we've also seen a push toward it from PC makers such as Dell. But few of us have an external display with DisplayPort — HDMI, VGA, and even DVI are all more common.

    Apple offers some helpful adapters (at AU$45 each) for DVI and VGA — but no way to connect a new MacBook to an HDMI-equipped TV, for example. Fortunately, some third-party vendors now offer a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter for around AU$20.

  • Touchscreens

    If we had a dollar for every blog rumour about an Apple tablet we've seen, we'd have at least enough to shout a mate or two at the pub on Friday. Plus, Apple has already proven it's mastered the touchscreen in the iPhone and iPod Touch. Why not spread that expertise across the product range?

Of course, we haven't missed these features enough to keep us from bestowing the coveted Editors' Choice award on the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros. What's on your list of missing MacBook features? Let us know below!

Topics: apple, macbook, macbook pro, matte, blu ray, hdmi, laptop, option

Related Articles

Comments (11)

  • Zainalu commented on 04/08/2009 13:30 Report abuse

    Is MacBook Pro equipped with any usb slot for pen drives etc.? Plz help.

  • minimac commented on 06/07/2009 01:07 Report abuse

    Apple owners drive volvos.

  • Apple is Lame Anyways commented on 05/07/2009 16:44 Report abuse

    The reliability of Apple's laptops might be good and stuff, but why are a lot of people saying 'AHH APPLE'S STUPID EXPENSIVE COMPUTERS ARE SOO GOOD'? I don't get it, Windows isn't that bad.

  • badapples commented on 05/07/2009 13:22 Report abuse

    What about 16:9 aspect ratio screens at 1920x1080. Dell, HP, Acer, Asus just to name a few are now building these complete with Blu-ray and HDMI and even inbuilt HDTV tuners. Apple is becoming obsolete. Take the Mac Mini,a great idea, but....its screaming for a Blu-ray and HDMI, and maybe then I will consider purchasing one.

  • DB SAY HI commented on 01/07/2009 18:03 Report abuse

    Hey Cnet how about apple NOT making its customers pay $500-$2000 for an OS i mean come on comparing the specs of a $1000 dell to a $1800 Mac the specs are almost identical then it gets worse as you go up a $2000 17' dell is almost the same as a $4000 Mac and dont even get me started on the desktops

  • s356199 commented on 27/06/2009 03:03 Report abuse

    A touch screen? Come on, we'll have to clean our Mac screen every 30min. Use your brain editor.

  • thought through commented on 23/06/2009 21:31 Report abuse

    i havnt checked out the speakers yet. Are they any better than the older white version? The speakers on the white ones are not very loud.

  • thought through commented on 23/06/2009 21:28 Report abuse

    OK .... u have me on the glossy screen. And having this option is a good idea. I didnt even consider the outdoor use, as even though i move around alot i find myself using it indoors (im not a big fan of the elements).

    A few more USB ports would be great!!! and putting one on the cd slot side would be useful for a mouse. I feel so sorry for the macbook air users, i dont know how they survive with only one port.

  • neotees commented on 23/06/2009 18:28 Report abuse

    Coming from the owner of a 13" Macbook aluminium, I would have liked at least 4 USB ports.

    I understand they were going for something more portable, minimal.

    But I would like to be able to plug in more than a mouse and my iPod.

    I sort of disagree with you on the glossy screen issue, I use mine outdoors on a daily basis and have little trouble at all, given the brightness isn't set to minimum (or off altogether).

    Another thing I would really like is more software based, the ability to create more partitions using bootcamp for additional OS installs. Would be nice to have OSX, XP and Ubuntu without having to go through some pretty hectic tutorial (not that it's really hard), but Apple's all about optimisation right.

  • domino_m commented on 23/06/2009 17:57 Report abuse

    I think it really comes down to the options given, so that the regular retail models are just the way they are now, with features like blu-ray as an option. I'm glad to see the firewire port back, but i would prefer to see Express card slot AND multicard reader.

Post your own comment

You must read and type the 6 chars within 0..9 and A..F

You must read and type the 6 chars within 0..9 & A..F

Submit

Enter your personal information to the left, or sign in with your Facebook account by clicking the button below.

Connect

The Explain Series

Must read