MBP, good but my complaints so far.

1. Took a few seconds for OS to show up after I turned it on.
2. Was stuck at 98/99% charging for a long time before being fully charged.
3. When I unplugged the power, it said "calculating" for charge left. Would be nice if it instantly showed the charge left.
4. There is a very small selection of wallpapers and screen savers from the presets.
5. When I hit the space key there's an annoying click sound
6. The layout of the windows is a little bland in coloring/style
7. The charger is magnetic and annoying

Other than that, good so far. I just got a 2011 2.4ghz MBP 13 inch.

 

1. Windows does that too.
2. It won't charge to 100% if it's between 95-99%
3. Does it also irritate you that when you plug it in it says "Not charging" for 2 seconds then shows the %?
4. Who uses the default wallpaper?
5. Sorry the space bars makes a noise.
6. Sorry it's not flashy like windows.
7. Sorry it's magnetic and if you trip over it you're not like to pull your notebook down with it and break.

 

So you have no real issues despite looking extremely hard for them. Congratulations. I'll try and address some of your points with a little less snootiness.

1. All computers take time to boot and load. PC. Mac. Linux. There is no way around it. Crazy world. You'll just have to accept this as the state of the technology if you want to use any computer.

2. Explained above. To add a little more detail- the reason this happens is that lithium ion batteries can explode if overcharged. After being charged fully, and then discharged only very slightly, there is a moderate risk of damage if charged again.

3. It might annoy you less if you understand why it is how it is. If you click on the battery icon, you can change between percentage charge, or time remaining. If you pick percentage charge, it will give charge percentage information instantly, whether plugged in or not. If you show time remaining, it estimates your battery consumption rate to predict how long the computer will run, given your current usage. This can change dramatically depending on how you are using the computer, screen brightness, etc.

Since it isn't using the battery before you unplug the machine (and partially because there are many variables that are likely to change right when you unplug it) it can only start collecting this information right when you unplug it. It takes a few seconds to collect enough information to make a reasonable prediction.

If you don't like that functionality, just switch to show percentage instead of time remaining.

4. You can actually use any image you want as the wallpaper. There are third party screensavers as well. They have the extension .saver if I am not mistaken. I wouldn't worry about the presets, because you have access to the sum of all digitized content ever created and put on the internet.

5. All keys make a click sound. Does this sound bother you because it is different than the sound made by the smaller keys? I'm testing my keyboards, the spacebar makes a unique sound on all of them. I think it's because of the different shape and size. Maybe someone else can chime in on this. It's not an issue for me on the mac, or any other keyboard. I've tested several so far. I think you may have to just accept this if you want to use a laptop with a physical keyboard, along the lines of point #1.

6. Style is subjective, but many people have a strong preference for the OS X windowing style. Windows, by comparison, is very bright and very blue. The less intense colors and minimalistic interface in OS X help to draw your attention to the content in the window, rather than the window itself. While you're scrutinizing the OS itself for the first time, you might feel a certain way, but I would give it some time and second consideration after actually using the laptop for purposes other than an exploration of the laptop. It makes a lot of sense when you think about the real purpose of an interface in the first place. I suspect it will grow on you.

7. I actually somewhat agree with this. The charger is annoying, not really just because it's magnetic, but because of the shape of the connector. They redesigned it pretty recently because the original connector was prone to coming loose over time from the cable. The new design solves that problem, but it is a bit annoying, for me. The old design was also magnetic, granted, but it was actually pretty amazing and not annoying at all. I can't quite put words to my thoughts on this point, but it basically comes down to the shape of the connector.

 

and? you really think it can boot instantly? What machine actually does?

if charges slower near 100%, and if you plug it in when its over 95% but not yet 100%, then it will not even charge at all. This is for your benefit so your battery will last longer before going bad and needing to be replaced.

you want to waste the CPU time for this to be calculated constantly? Or you want it to drop everything going on on the computer and calculate this information so that your computer will not do anything until the calculation is finished? You do realize that getting an estimated time is not a simple calculation... right?

ok?

bigger keys can be more noisy than smaller keys...

I think it looks great... nice and simple without being obtrusive.

annoying how? The power plug is awesome...

 

it's actually a real-time issue, not a CPU-time issue, and there is no way to calculate it before unplugging the laptop. a 2.6 ghz quad-core i7 macbook pro and a core 2 duo macbook air should both take the same time to calculate the battery remaining time. it is a simple calculation. It wouldn't take much processing power to calculate constantly (update once per second, for example, like a clock), but since the estimation isn't that accurate, it simply isn't necessary. There's a clock sitting right next to the time remaining timer that uses at least as much CPU power, all the time.

 

So then.... you don't have any problems?

1) That's just how storage works. Even with a SSD, I still wait a few seconds before seeing the login screen.

2) You don't want to charge a Li-Pol (or LI-Ion) batteries at 100% anyway. Likewise, don't discharge them fully (or nearly fully) sine that'd also damage the battery.

3) Real-time issue, as stated above.

4) Don't we have the Internet to solve that?

5) It's a keyboard...

6) Perhaps you could change the window manager (maybe run Gnome on OSX? )

7) Wha? I want a magnetic charger... However I can't due to patents (but that's a whole other rant).

 

One thing that annoys me and i have yet to figure it out. When i transfer files to say desktop from a folder on my drive...it pops up eevery time asking for my password! Im already logged into my account, stop asking me for my damn password again!

 

Ah man, your sig...

8TB DDR3?

 

OP seems like a real troll imho.. Or has never actually used a computer before..

Can you show me any info to back that statement up that says it damages the battery to use discharge or charge it fully? Do you mean, use it until it shuts down and then turn it on and let it die again until it's fully discharged or simply when it shuts down the first time?

I thought apple had batterys that you don't need to take any special care when it comes to that and just use it any way you like.. Atleast that is what i remember after reading their FAQ about their batterys.. Maybe they just say so..

 

Could be possible

Here's an article explaining that Li-Poly batteries aren't any different from Li-Ion batteries. Having a true Li-Poly battery work at room temperature is currently impossible, so what battery makers have done instead is to substitute the liquid electrolytes with a gelled version, but otherwise Li-Poly and Li-Ion are electrically the same thing.

Another article from that website explains how charging works, and of special interest to your question: why overcharging/over-discharging is bad:

Overcharging:

Spoiler

Lithium-ion operates safely within the designated operating voltages; however, the battery becomes unstable if inadvertently charged to a higher than specified voltage. Prolonged charging above 4.30V forms plating of metallic lithium on the anode, while the cathode material becomes an oxidizing agent, loses stability and produces carbon dioxide (CO2). The cell pressure rises, and if charging is allowed to continue the current interrupt device (CID) responsible for cell safety disconnects the current at 1,380kPa (200psi).

Should the pressure rise further, a safety membrane bursts open at 3,450kPa (500psi) and the cell might eventually vent with flame. The thermal runaway moves lower when the battery is fully charged; for Li-cobalt this threshold is between 130–150C°C (266–302°F), nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) is 170–180°C (338–356°F), and manganese is 250°C (482°F). Li-phosphate enjoys similar and better temperature stabilities than manganese.

Lithium-ion is not the only battery that is a safety hazard if overcharged. Lead- and nickel-based batteries are also known to melt down and cause fire if improperly handled. Nickel-based batteries have also been recalled for safety concerns. Properly designed charging equipment is paramount for all battery systems.

Over-Discharging:

Spoiler

Li-ion should never be discharged too low, and there are several safeguards to prevent this from happening. The equipment cuts off when the battery discharges to about 3.0V/cell, stopping the current flow. If the discharge continues to about 2.70V/cell or lower, the battery’s protection circuit puts the battery into a sleep mode. This renders the pack unserviceable and a recharge with most chargers is not possible. To prevent a battery from falling asleep, apply a partial charge before a long storage period.

Battery manufacturers ship batteries with a 40 percent charge. The low charge state reduces aging-related stress while allowing some self-discharge during storage. To minimize the current flow for the protection circuit before the battery is sold, advanced Li-ion packs feature a sleep mode that disables the protection circuit until activated by a brief charge or discharge. Once engaged, the battery remains operational and the on state can no longer be switched back to the standby mode.

Do not recharge lithium-ion if a cell has stayed at or below 1.5V for more than a week. Copper shunts may have formed inside the cells that can lead to a partial or total electrical short. If recharged, the cells might become unstable, causing excessive heat or showing other anomalies. Li-ion packs that have been under stress are more sensitive to mechanical abuse, such as vibration, dropping and exposure to heat.

Of course, there are some safety precautions built into the batteries so that these events are unlikely, but it's still never a good idea to push a battery to its limits.

Basically, Apple (and anyone else selling Li-Poly batteries) are using their marketing hype to try to claim that no special care is needed. It's still entirely possible to explode a Li-Poly battery if you abuse it.

 

Given the comments they made in a few MBA threads (saying they were underpowered even though my MBA can easily keep up with what they purchased), I don't think the OP is a troll but rather someone with limited knowledge. Most of the complaints they made can be applied to ALL other notebooks and even desktops. Right now I am sitting in front of a Dell at work and its spacebar makes a different sound than the rest of the keys. That is just how spacebars are, they failed to realize this and turned it into a MBP complaint when it should really be a keyboard complaint (across desktops and notebooks).

I am waiting for them to come back with a response saying "but my old XXX didn't do that!" Who cares? Spacebars on every physical keyboard I have ever used (including smartphones) have all had a different clicking sound when using them.

I am also not sure what is annoying about the Magsafe adapter either since it is easily the smallest and easiest power plug I have ever used on a computer. No need to allign things just right, all I have to do is get the plug near my Mac and it will automatically plug itself in. I would rather deal with that than a 3 inch long, thick, black copper wire coming out of the back that can't be bent.

Their complaint about the look of OS X is understandable though OS X has always looked more elegant than Windows. I like what MS did with Aero but I don't think OS X needs anything like that. Besides, the program dock is 1000 times better than the start bar in Windows 7/8.

 

Well, he could be trying to sneak some sort of MBP praise out of us. Maybe

I think that the layout of an OS is completely subjective. Besides, I see OS windowing (?) becoming much more friendly to customization (similar to the Gnome window environment) in the near future. Since most applications people use are now more-or-less OS-agnostic (browser, office applications, etc.), I find it harder to justify X OS over Y OS over Z OS with any criteria other than cost.

 

I think the most interesting component of the whole thread is the sheer magnitude of reaction to what were truly very minor complaints.

He wasn't claiming the Macbook was horrible, just had a few downsides in his opinion.

However, he still got an extreme level of fanatical response and people who thought they needed to answer each and every possible flaw in his opinion.

They also seemed to think it was necessary to use the namecalling, degradation, and dismissal defenses when the OP showed no ill will towards anyone or anything.

What makes a mac user defend the mythical perfection of a macbook to that degree?

Apple and the whole line of Macbooks (like any laptop) have advantages and disadvantages.
Isn't the entire point of a message board like this to discuss and compare those advantages/disadvantages for each individual?

 

Except the things that the OP was complaining about can be applied to pretty much every single other notebook on the planet. I can level exactly the same criticisms against the Alienware M11x, Asus K53TA, Dell Vostro, and HP dv6z that I owned prior to my Mac. And I can even say many of the same things about the Mac itself.

That's the point. masterchef did a "masterful" (pun intended) job of breaking this down.

 

But...I'm not a Mac user... In fact I don't even like Apple all that much. I just like browsing the forums

saturnotaku took the words right out of my mouth.

 

the battery has special circuitry to prevent overcharging and total discharging. when you reach a reported value of 0%, the computer shuts off, but the battery isn't completely drained. When you charge up to 100%, the battery stops charging. You are abstracted from having to manage this more or less. You don't have to worry about normal use of the battery with the laptop.

Thanks. I tried my best to avoid being a total snob and just address the points with the intent of mostly being helpful. I have to say that I was also slightly surprised by some of the extreme reactions, but you have to keep in mind that Apple, (the company, its users, and its products) are often the target of flame-bait, and when people complain for inane reasons, it's easy to fall for it. That's why they do it.

Most of the complaints were borderline flame-bait, to be fair. Especially noise occurring when you press a physical key. Seriously, use your finger and touch a table with your thumb using the same motion as you would use with the spacebar. And taking a few seconds for the OS to show up after turning it on. That's a good one.

Mixing in borderline-legitimate complaints, like the sort-of-wonky new charger design, makes the flame-bait all the more effective.

 

Nobody in here ever said "no ur wrong turd, teh Macz is teh purfect l33t!1!!one!!eleven1!!!!" People were simply pointing out that the majority of the flaws the OP observed are actually seen in all other notebooks, not just MBPs. Hence why the thread title should be "MBP, good but I have complaints about notebooks" Nobody stood up and said that the MBP was a perfect machine with absolutely zero flaws.

Additionally, as evidenced here in this thread (and by your post unless your signature is wrong), non-Mac users visit this section of the forums quite often. Many will crap all over everything Apple just to get a rise out of people. It happens in forums for iPads, Macs, iPods, iPhones, etc. The whole Apple bashing thing is getting pretty old.

 

What clicking sound are we talking about? A sound on the system speakers or the physical depress of the spacebar?

Ok, a complain about alienware I am using. There is a tick sound even when the sound is on mute like closing "My Computer" by clicking on my track pad. Maybe I should go make a thread at Dell forum and vent about it.

 

Apparently we have a post-n-run, but as far as I can tell, he meant that there was a physical sound when depressing the spacebar. I'm still tilting over it, just a little bit.

If we were actually discussing advantages and disadvantages, I would wholeheartedly agree. People would probably still want to counter every point. But in this case, it's just inanity. I cite the spacebar complaint. Only on an apple forum.

The funny part is that there are real issues with OS X and with apple laptops, none of it is perfect. But, on an apple forum (only), you should readily expect people to come in with complaints on the level of:

"It's nice, but it would be better if you didn't have to plug it in"

They may very well be right, but that's not a legitimate complaint about your apple laptop, because the state of the technology simply is not there. Same thing with physical keyboards making sound. It's one thing to talk about deficiencies in our state of technology, but it's another thing to criticize a particular instance of technology for not meeting a state of technology which does not yet exist.

 

A real issue with the current generation of MacBook Pros, particularly the 15-inch, is heat and fan noise. Had the OP said, "The system runs quite warm, and the fan is annoying when it spins up." -- OK, that's a fair concern. Or perhaps, "Lack of TRIM support in OSX without using a hack on anything other than 'Apple approved' SSDs."

 

You don't get to judge what anyone can or cannot say, or in any way judge what is a fair or legitimate concern/opinion. The OP has a MBP, they posted about a MBP and this post was on a forum section dedicated to Mac products - end of story.

Everyone can post whatever replies they want as well, but as an impartial reader only the people responding have looked stupid so far - even if it was a troll post, it was a completely successful one.

 

I hope the irony of this post isn't lost on anyone.

 

Looks like the OP was a hit and run. Closing thread.

I can't see anything productive coming about if and when the OP returns. And I doubt that the OP would return consider...