10 things Apple should do to take the Mac to the next level
Ivan | Sun, 2010-11-14 23:55Apple hardware wins design awards every year. Yet, there are several things Apple could do make the Mac even better than it is today. Here are ten ideas I want to suggest that could take the Mac to the next level.
1. Desktop Macs with a battery
One of the biggest benefits of MacBooks over desktops is their ability to run without power. In many countries of the world especially during summer months power cuts are frequent and nobody wants to run a giant UPS under the table.
A small battery would not raise the cost of the iMac too much and would allow you to save your work after the power went out.
2. Snap on anti-glare filter
The glossy screen is fantastic for its deep blacks and popping colors. Clearly beats the matte screen indoors. But if you have a window behind you or you're outdoors seeing your own reflection and everything behind you is annoying after just half an hour.
To have the best of both worlds Apple could release a simple and light snap-on matte filter for those occasions when you feel like working in the park.
3. GSM chips in all Macs
The ability to access the web virtually any time anywhere from the iPhone and iPad is great. Depending on public WiFi sucks for several reasons. Especially because it's a security risk. USB modems do not work reliably and they are ugly.
Every MacBook should have a slot for a GSM sim card. But not just laptops, I would add them to the desktops too because wireless networks are becoming increasingly good and they can be used as primary or backup internet connection.
4. WiFi syncing for mobile devices
It's crazy that we still have to use a silly cable to sync a 20MB file. WiFi can transfer such data in seconds. We want WiFi syncing as an option now!
5. Wireless stereo headphones
While I'm ranting about cables, let me mention that I want stereo wireless headphones too. Cables always get in the way and they only looked good in the iPod commercials 5 years ago. In 2010 Apple should come out with its own wireless bluetooth stereo headphones that charge automatically by using the earth's magnetic field. (Ok, regarding that last part I'm willing to charge by USB for another year or so.)
6. Get rid of the Superdrive
The DVD format is now obsolete. For films, all the latest TVs accept USB pen-drives which is more convenient than burning DVDs. External HDDs are big and cheap, which is easier for backups than DVDs. I only used the DVD drive like twice in the last year and I could've avoided even that. Yet, I have to carry the superdrive around all the time.
There is no reason we should pay for that device if we don't use it. Make it optional and external, just like its done for the MacBook Air.
7. Make space for a second disk drive
Solid State Disks are super fast, but they are expensive and small. It would be great if we had the space for a second drive in MacBooks and iMacs to put the system and all apps on an SDD and keep a second slower HDD that has a large capacity for all the media. Why run on Snow Leopard when you can get a Cheetah?
8. Stereo camera for all Macs
3D is all around us, yet computer manufacturers have not yet jumped on the bandwagon. It would be fantastic if Apple would include a stereo camera on all devices to allow for 3D chatting. This has little practicality, but it would be really cool.
9. Allow pens on Trackpads and iPads
Our fingers are good in most cases. But sometimes higher precision would be great. I wish Apple's touch technology would support a pen that would give pixel perfect positioning.
10. Reprogrammable keyboard
I always wanted to learn the Dvorak keyboard, but it's very hard without a guide at the beginning. Also, many people use multiple languages. Some of us use special applications where each button has a special meaning.
Apple should create a keyboard with dynamically reprogrammable keys like the Optimus Maximus keyboard, but with more elegance. You could even leave messages on this keyboard.
Is there anything else you're missing? Let me know in comments!
Commenting on this Blog entry is closed.
I was thinking about a specific point about this before I read this article! Full on retina display!!! While this won't be necessary for most people, I would absolutely love to finally be able to edit photos in full 300dpi!!! Finally "actual size" would be... well actual size. I'm always afraid I'm overdoing sharpening or sometimes I spend way too much time on retouching some details we wouldn't even see on the printed image anyway!!! Maybe just make it an expensive option =)
Oh yes, great idea. :)
I think GSM chips will eventually make it to all the Apple laptop models.
I think you could drop the super drive from the laptops, but I'd actually like to see Blu Ray come to the Mac Pro.
Stereo camera is useless, 3D is a horrible marketing gimmick ... and I work on film & tv productions.
Pens and styluses on Apple trackpads ... YES please.
SSD across the board. I expect Apple to push this as using vast amounts of Flash storage is vital to their strategy and maintain their position.
I think that anti reflection screen is most important (would be - for me). Just awful with the sunlight shining on your screen. When I need a mirror I'll go to the bathroom!
http://jackmancer.com/
http://twitter.com/jackmancer
Battery in a desktop Mac: its is either a lap top or you buy these backup battery (i think they are called UPC). Regarding the glossy screen: isn't it already available for a 50$ additional fee when you buy from the online store? GSM: why if you can tether from your iPhone. Didn't drop the internal modem awhile back? What about the different providers using different tech around the world - look at the iPhone, it uses the mini GSM, not the std one. The wireless headphone: yes! But how much time do you get from your hand free phone ear piece in the car - not long unless they come up with new battery technology. Superdrive: yes. SSM: yes. Blue-Ray, forget it. Not going anywhere (BR).
The mini SIM card in the iPhone is just a smaller cut of plastic around the SIM chip. You can cut a normal SIM card and it will work on an iPhone 4.
Perhaps for the not so distant future - touch screen on a computer as well?
http://jackmancer.com/
http://twitter.com/jackmancer
Jobs said no, they tested it and doesn't work. I agree. It's tiring.
Ah yes I can understand that. But for some programs it could be really nice.
Maybe something like a Nintendo DS - screen up front and touch interface below - instead of a keyboard, but that can function like it as well.
http://jackmancer.com/
http://twitter.com/jackmancer
Just wishful thinking here? Some of that stuff is probably already in the works. My quick take...
1) No. A battery IS a UPS. It would still be a clunky thing imho.
2) No. Apple doesn't make that kind of stuff anymore anyway - maybe a third party will. Don't blame you for hating the glossy screens though - I can't stand them.
3, 4, 5) YES - probably already in the works too.
6) WHAT? I JUST GOT A DVD BURNER!
7) No - because it will just mean a larger machine.
8) No. 3D is a fad that's run it's course (again) imho. But glad it came around (again) because this time it helped slash the price of LCD TVs.
9 & 10) YES! Especially the pen tablet thing.
PC's already do all of this!
http://stevefakeballmer.wordpress.com/
I am not Steve Ballmer pretending not to be me!
I like the Idea about a GSM card reader. I am currently forced to use Windows because my network connection is not strong enough and when I boot into Linux it does not know what the modem is. I intend buying a mac later and would like to know more about them is the crossover from Linux to Mac easy ?
I love this post, and 100% agree with the idea about batteries. The other ideas are interesting too. Regarding #2, though, couldn't you just tape a piece of wax paper over the screen? I'm only sayin'. :0
A big red button that you press and the Mac does exactly what you want it to do, even though you couldn't explain exactly that what was to the guy in support.
btw I smear vaseline all over my glossy screen and it works a treat, and I do really high end stuff like business cards.
#1: The battery idea cracks me up. It sounds great in theory, but the battery to keep a top-of-the-line MacPro running for a few minutes while you save a 2GB movie file would be the size of a Mac Mini. I just don't see it happening.
#2: Does anyone really think Steve Jobs or Johnny Ives is going to make a snap-on anti-glare filter? A snap-on is the poster child for "cheap." And the gloss screens are everywhere, they aren't going to backtrack now.
#3: GSM Chips sounds cool for a laptop, but I don't see a need for it in a desktop Mac. Furthermore, I suspect the vast majority of the general public isn't going to be willing to pay a monthly fee for 3G access for a desktop computer in the off chance that their cable connection stops working for an hour or two now and then.
#4: Oh yeah, this is the killer feature! And it sounds like Apple is already working on adding it to the next iOS update, if rumors are to be believed.
#5 Great idea, but I don't want the added cost to my iPhone,iPod,iPad. I would rather choose exactly the one I want.
#6: I agree in the case of laptops, but for desktops it's still necessary. I really don't want to install 10GB+ of Adobe Creative Suite over a wireless connection.
#7: HDs are so big now, I don't see most people needing a second one. We as designers are a different beast, but the overwhelming majority don't even need the small flash drives they include now.
#8: Oh cmon... 3D is everywhere, and nobody cares. Cool yes, useful no.
#9: Waccom tablets already have this feature, and I think Apple would do well to add the capability.
#10: The Optimus Maximus is the coolest piece of computer hardware that will never sell. Who in their right mind would spend that much on a keyboard? But it is a great idea!
-----------
Visit The Graphic Mac for graphics and Mac OS tips, reviews, tutorials and discussion.
These are all great suggestions! The only one I think is a little premature is the DVD drive being obsolete. I agree that it is heading that way, but I don't think we are quite there yet.
But I love the idea of having a battery backup. I am not in a remote part of the world but the power in my building goes out quite often. And it is a pain when I lose work!