Is Apple behind the laptop curve?

By David Carnoy on 27 May 2009

The battle between fans of Macbooks and Windows-based PCs continues unabated, particularly in the US where Microsoft has been running a Laptop Hunters series of ads knocking Apple for the high price of its laptops and the features you get for the money.

From the Microsoft US ad campaign, Laptop Hunter Sheila finds fault with the 15-inch MacBook Pro. (Credit: Microsoft)

Our laptop editors regularly give high marks to Apple's wares, and the company's 13-inch MacBook and Apple MacBook Pro have both recently won Editors' Choice nods. In short, we're pretty happy with what Apple has to offer. But as good as its laptops are, Windows-based PCs do have a few leading-edge features not found in MacBooks.

Here's the list we came up with:

  • Blu-ray: whether you think it's a worthwhile feature or not, no Macs currently offer a Blu-ray drive. Last year, Steve Jobs referred to Blu-ray and its licensing process as a "bag of hurt", but recent rumours suggest that Apple may make a Blu-ray announcement at its World Wide Developers Conference next month. We'll have to wait and see whether it applies to notebooks.
  • Memory card slots: in our book, being able to toss a memory card from your digital camera or camcorder into your notebook is a big convenience. We're seeing this on more Windows machines and it should be a standard feature across all laptops.
  • HDMI out: Apple has gone with a Mini DisplayPort, which doesn't carry sound, instead of standard HDMI. (A Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter is available for about US$20, but that's just another thing you have to carry around). Premium notebooks should feature an HDMI port so you can easily connect to an HDTV sans adapter.
  • Biometric security: this is better known as fingerprint recognition. Many ThinkPads and Lenovos have built-in biometric security. No Macs offer this feature.
  • WWAN mobile broadband support: a small but sure-to-be growing number of Windows machines offer built-in connectivity to mobile data networks (naturally, there's a fee involved for service).
  • More USB ports: this one is definitely at the bottom of the list, but it's worth mentioning that many Windows notebooks now come with three USB ports. The MacBook and MacBook Pro only have two, and the Macbook Air only has one. This can become an issue if you opt to use one of the USB ports for a mobile data accessory (no new Macs have a PC card slot, though MacBook Pros do offer the newer and arguably superior ExpressCard slot).

Are these omissions a big deal or just minor quibbles? Let us know and feel free to add below anything you think we missed.

Topics: apple, laptop, microsoft, notebook, windows, blu-ray, macbook, blu ray, hdmi, usb ports

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Comments (29)

  • Gsp commented on 12/08/2009 20:35 Report abuse

    gargravarr - I thought for a second you may have figured out a reasonable explanation for Apple choosing their proprietary Mini Display Port over HDMI...Namely that they're more interested in appealing to a narrower market of graphics & media professionals who may want to connect their Macbooks to very large displays and work on very high resolution graphics...rather than the mass market appeal of HDMI for watching HD & BluRay movies.

    However, when I looked into it, I discovered that HDMI v1.3 supports up to 1600p resolution. This version has been around since 2006 & is the version used by most PC manufacturers in their laptops. HDMI v4, which was just released this May, actually supports 2160p resolution. (Actually even v1.0 supported 1200p - not just 1080p).

    Therefore, HDMI with 1600p resolution has been available the entire time Apple has been putting Mini DisplayPort in their Macbooks (since late 2008).

    Additionally, if their concern was media professionals, then HDMI actually makes more sense as it has other advantages over Mini DisplayPort, such as support for the xvYCC color space.

    The real reason Apple Macbooks have Mini DisplayPort instead of HDMI is because its spec includes HDCP copy protection - in other words, DRM protection, which continues to be a key element in their iTunes business model (all rented and bought movies on iTunes still carry strong DRM). This is about what's good for Apple short to medium term profits, not about what's best for their customers.

    This article is slightly out of date, as the May/June 2009 released models of Macbooks now all come with built in Memory Card slots.

    However, that's one point, and as a Macbook owner (I mostly like my Macbook), I do really miss having HDMI, Blu-Ray, the convenience of Biometric security, and built in HSDPA for WWAN - especially now that the Memory Card slot has taken the place of the Express Card slot - so that also means if you're using WWAN, you can't use the Expres Card HSDPA transmitter/Recever, & thus have only 1 USB port left for anything else.

    Additionally, the keyboard ergonomics are the worst of any keyboard I've ever used (& I've used many)...more typos and wrist & elbow discomfort than I've ever experienced - and after several months, I'm still not used to it - there's just no tactile feedback at all.

  • Paul G. commented on 23/07/2009 09:04 Report abuse

    Macs might have a higher price and can't do everything PCs can, but they're really reliable in my opinion. They're compatible with just about all hardware in my experience. To use a printer all I have to do is plug it in, no drivers to install, same with my camera, my USB hub, (which i owned before I bought my mac) my MIDI keyboard, my speakers, Hell, everything I use. I've never had it crash on me once, the software that came with it is great, I use all of the all of the time. Everything on here looks so clean and organized. The OS is what you are paying for, not raw power. Apple can do a lot more in a mac with the same components a PC has. I paid 2000 for my mac about a year ago, and it still works just as well as the day I bought it, even 200 GB of data later.

    If you want a gaming computer, a mac probably isn't for you, although I play games on it all of the time. I have never gotten a virus on this computer, and the computer seems almost intuitive. Everything is so simple, people can pick up my computer and not have to ask how to do anything, it's all right there.

    Macs aren't necessarily better, but for my needs, (No i'm not an aspiring writer) It works great for me. Maybe for people out there who spend all of their time on cnet.com and like to tweak their computers and customize every bit, they should get PCs.

    People who want simplicity, ease, and something that will work just the way you want it all of the time, get a mac.

  • Jay Tee commented on 24/06/2009 22:13 Report abuse

    I absolutely agree that at the moment, while the technology is still new, and a bit chunky, the argument against biometric security sits fine. On the other hand I think having extra USB ports is essential. For example if you are a graphic designer (which apple boasts to be the best in its field), you'll most likely have: a mouse, a wacom tablet, a printer (in your office and at home)and lastly a portable hard drive/usb which you use to and from clients or backing up work. Now...admittedly you would probably never be needing all of these at the same time, however, this is still a real problem with only 2 USB ports and could get very annoying.

    And here is the crux of the apple fad..."apple's are good....but their advertising is better".

  • LOL FANBOY FIGHT commented on 18/06/2009 19:10 Report abuse

    HAHAH noobs windows is cheaper....
    mac is better? but cost more...?
    So ....
    WHY DO YOU GUYS COMPARE $1000 WINDOWS LAPTOPS WITH BLOODY $2000 MAC BOOKS NOT FAIR COMPARE 2 OF THE SAME PRICE PLEASE

  • FreeKill commented on 10/06/2009 09:46 Report abuse

    I love these debates,Macs have to run windows to play games. If your in my position and your gaming pc weighs a ton, a powerful windows based lappy is the only way to go. At the time of purchase, the macbook pro had weak sauce graphics card and was 1000 more than the equivalent and faster windows based ones. The only AV anyone needs is hijack this, and stay away from porn sites.

  • Funny ha ha commented on 10/06/2009 07:18 Report abuse

    I love reading the MacPhiles trying to defend their overpriced purchase and the fact they they fell for the marketing bs.
    Same old non arguments: "it doesn't crash" - personally I haven't crashed a PC in 5 years that I can recall. "No virus problems" - err, there is the off virus around, but who could be bothered writing one, when only a hand full of people would ever be infected? Again, I've never had a virus and I've been using computers (originally Apple IIe!) since the 80's.

    Please do not feel you should denegrate PC users in order to justify your decision to buy a Mac. We really don't care, anf those of us who are informed, know that if you need a Mac to be "cool", then you're already not :)

  • concerned 4 ur health commented on 10/06/2009 06:53 Report abuse

    to wants you to get it right...ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE OKAY? Maybe you should go to the loony bin cause of your arguments that make sense, they all are reasons for a mac. also show me slot loading blue ray drive and ill talk. but until then shut your f***ing mouth. i would always pick a mac over pc if only cause it has a slotloading drive and DOESNT CRASH. also you talk about price. sure pcs are cheap, but theres a reason for that. they have no good software. tell me how much your software costs and then talk to me about price. the software that comes with a mac is worth a grand at least, and all of it is USEFUL.

  • csetter2 commented on 10/06/2009 00:26 Report abuse

    It's funny that I read this expecting to feel differently about my mac. Everything you mentioned I wouldn't need and I use my laptop for for work (graphic design) and school. Macs are intuitive. I have yet to find a PC that is up to its standard.

  • sam commented on 09/06/2009 14:40 Report abuse

    Let's not forget resale value. I sold a 4 year old 17 inch powerbook for $1,000. Take that PC,s!

  • gargravarr commented on 08/06/2009 16:28 Report abuse

    Hilarious screen name, MacForGays. I'd report you for abuse, but I suspect you might like that. As for HDMI, yeah, I'd like it too - but it can't do resolutions beyond 1080p, can it?

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