PowerBook Design Issues
Saturday, March 12th, 2005
Now that I’ve had this new PowerBook for a few weeks I have a few design-related issues to make note of.
The first and maybe the most important is that with all ports as well as power plug-in on the sides, it would seem to me that this power cord end maybe ought to be an elbow-like right angle so the cord doesn’t stick out so far. Of course, I love the charge light ring on the power cord and my idea would not change that, just put a 90 degree bend in the white plastic so the actual cord is better routed out the back and the entire connection is not sticking out so far.
The PowerBook’s upper surface (and others) is made out of aluminum and aluminum has edge properties that are very different from my old titanium PowerBook. The edge that you see in this picture above the keys, essentially the back edge of the keypad well, is quite sharp and feels a bit unfinished to me. The same with the top edge just in front of the hinge. The outer edge has a corner “moulding” on it which softens it but anyplace that a raw aluminum edge can make contact with fingers it feels a bit unfinished to me.
This same edge on the back side of the keypad well is even more distracting as I come into contact with it more often. I touchtype and because of this my hands are almost always resting on the keypad and at times the outer edge of my hands and my thumb as it goes to the spacebar touch that edge and it’s just raw enough so that I notice it, and not in a good way.
Another innovation on this PowerBook is better cooling by means of better venting and this is great since the fan has not come on once including during prolonged iSight use as well as some heavy sessions with GarageBand (both of these give the processor a real workout and on my TiBook caused terrific heat).
However, the finish on the edges of the vent cuts, like the edges of the keypad well seems raw to me and has an unfinished feel.
All of this said, I love this new PowerBook and these are small gripes. Overall the performance is really great, the design wonderful, and I’m very happy I bought it. It’s faster, quieter, cooler, sleeker, burns CDs and DVDs faster, and is just a great computer.
Do I wish it had a G5 processor in it? Sure, but not at the expense of size, shape, and cost. If anything, how about a dual G4 PowerBook Apple? That might give us a leg up until IBM figures out how to make a low power G5.
Richard: I see what you mean about the power cord, and your suggestion would be a fine improvement. Those unfinished areas would bother me too, but as you say, it’s a great PowerBook in terms of overall design, quietness, and running cooler. The light weight in my almost year old PB is something I really am grateful for when traveling with it. While I wistfully wait for a more powerful PB, I wouldn’t want it to add more weight or size.
Richard, my aluminum PB is a year old as of February and I don’t have any of the rough edges you commented about. Maybe Apple’s move to China as the manufacturer has created some quality-control issues that you need to address with Apple.
Interesting. of course this is all relative so we’ll have to get together to compare “edges.” Your place of mine?
The outside edge digs into my wrists while typing on 1.67GHz G4 Powerbook in my lap, or on a pillow in my lap. This edge is even sharper than that of 550MHz G4 Powerbook.
Outside edge on mine is fine. Wow, interesting, seems like Apple’s got an assembly issue in China to work out.
Did you find any design issues with the Apple wireless mouse?
Gary, yes, if I take the computer away from the mouse (downstairs to the living room) when I bring it back, I have to go through the process of getting the mouse recognized again. Or, it just takes so long I don’t have the patience. I’ve just not gotten that piece to work yet.