The macosxhints Forums - wish list (hardware)

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ThreeBKK

07-08-2006 08:58 AM

wish list (hardware)

Hardware dream list:

• this one has been in big demand for a long time: notebooks with ability to view DVDs of different region codes or change region code setting unlimited times

• digital or analog direct video input for monitors so that another computer or a game console can bypass the CPU and just use that notebook's or iMac's monitor (possibly with an optional TV tuner module) This would add a ton of value to older 'books.

• ability to use internal speakers and headphone out at the same time

• Blue-ray, HD, and DVD-Audio playability. Super CD too while we're at it.

more to follow soon…

ThreeBKK

07-26-2006 05:51 AM

I would like to see a low light setting made available for the Apple notebook LCD screens.

Currently, even reducing brightness to one block is too bright when used in a dark room. A setting equivalent to maybe 1/4 of a block would be perfect.

JTR	08-17-2006 04:55 AM

Apple is not to blame for not allowing unlimited/no region code settings. Hardware manufacturers are obliged by law to restrict to region codes, that's why the only possibility you have is to hack the drive and player.

For DVDplayer you'll easily find such a tool in versiontracker, but to hack the drive is different with each unit and a failed attempt may well destroy your drive.

ArcticStones

08-17-2006 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeBKK

I would like to see a low light setting made available for the Apple notebook LCD screens.

I hear ya. I was trying to get some work done on the airplane last week. Thought I was doing something wrong when I couldn’t find a setting between black screen and lowest light. Would have saved some battery and been more comfortable.

Perhaps these controls should be like some well-known graphic software GUIs: Holding the Alt-key down should give you the option of decreasing/increasing brightness, volume or whatever by increments of 1/10th of the usual. Shouldn’t be hard to implement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTR

VLC?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeBKK

Hardware dream list:

Well, I would like Apple to introduce Softscreen as an accessory to a revised video iPod. :D

JTR	08-17-2006 05:27 AM

I want a computer that has both, motorola and intel processors... and a hardSID ;-))

No, what I really would like is a good video-in card integrated in the standard config. Not only for using the monitor but also for digitizing. Most PCs today have a (low-cost) solution like this integrated.

cocoanewbie

08-17-2006 09:42 AM

I'm not expecting TV integration because TV system is fairly diffrent in countries. Though US is the biggest market for Apple, I don't think Apple put extraordinary effort on it.

Of course, Apple needs to keep the door open for the 3rd party vendors.

tlarkin

08-17-2006 09:54 AM

blu ray will fail in the end i think. sony has a history of stuff like that. beta max, mini disc, memory stick etc

no one third party wise really adapts to sony technology, and sony is a pain in letting other companies develope for them, so i think a more shared technology will end up prevailing because it will end up being the most cost effective.

voldenuit

08-17-2006 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArcticStones

I hear ya. I was trying to get some work done on the airplane last week. Thought I was doing something wrong when I couldn’t find a setting between black screen and lowest light.

That's a technical limitation of the light tubes used, you can't dim them beyond a certain point. It won't change until LEDs can be used instead.

Try the "negative mode" instead: press command+control+option+8.

It looks a bit weird first, but it's very pleasant in low-light situations, once you get used to it.

ThreeBKK

08-17-2006 04:50 PM

I would also like to see a pair of unfolding magnesium, aluminum, or titanium feet under my notebook for cooling. Perhaps at least a set of threaded holes underneath for adding after-market feet at a later date.

As it is, I use a pair of vinyl erasers to prop up the rear of my PB. Not exactly high-tech, but very cheap and somewhat effective.

Recently, I saw a product which was an iPod dock, and a 5 port USB hub! That's so perfect. Apple needs to incorporate that into the next iteration of the universal dock.

ThreeBKK

08-17-2006 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voldenuit

That's a technical limitation of the light tubes used, you can't dim them beyond a certain point. It won't change until LEDs can be used instead.

Good info, I didn't know that. When the brightness is set to zero bars, I can still see my windows and activity on the almost black screen. It's still displaying the graphics, but without a backlight. This is easiest to see when there is bright light above or to the sides of the screen.

hayne

08-17-2006 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voldenuit

Try the "negative mode" instead: press command+control+option+8.

It looks a bit weird first, but it's very pleasant in low-light situations, once you get used to it.

There is also "DarkAdapted": http://www.adpartnership.net/DarkAdapted/
I made a preset for "Half Bright" with RGB all set to 50%

ArcticStones

08-17-2006 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voldenuit

Try the "negative mode" instead: press command+control+option+8.

It looks a bit weird first, but it's very pleasant in low-light situations, once you get used to it.

That looks pretty good. If I choose the right font, I think I can live with the negative type for the breief periods in question. Thanks for the tip!

JTR	08-18-2006 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeBKK

I would also like to see a pair of unfolding magnesium, aluminum, or titanium feet under my notebook for cooling. Perhaps at least a set of threaded holes underneath for adding after-market feet at a later date.

As it is, I use a pair of vinyl erasers to prop up the rear of my PB. Not exactly high-tech, but very cheap and somewhat effective.

I agree. Having written my master thesis on my pbook I can say it is not fun to do so as the pb gets so hot after some hours of typing it will hurt your hands. I always put folded paper between my hands and the pb.
"larger" feet would certainly help to cool and I think I'm going to try your solution, too.

Floris

08-27-2006 03:25 PM

A 30" iMac with core2duo extreme as a tv/lcdtv/plasma replacement for my living room

ThreeBKK

08-27-2006 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayne (Post 315615)

There is also "DarkAdapted": http://www.adpartnership.net/DarkAdapted/
I made a preset for "Half Bright" with RGB all set to 50%

Good thinking. That gives me an idea about using the built-in Apple color calibration software to make a darker color profile for low-light situations. That way the vampires in my room won't keep ashing when I turn on my PB at 3AM. :)

tlarkin

08-27-2006 08:51 PM

I wonder if apple will ever try to venture into the web-tv/dvr market again. They had one a while ago that was a small market test only sold in cali. One of my friends bought one off ebay not too long ago.

It is hard to tell how much apple wants to go into the multimedia market. They have things like the ipod, but no real full home theatre solution.

Gnarlodious

08-28-2006 07:12 AM

I would sure like to see an Airport card with an external antenna jack. Everyone complains about weak Airport power.

About the screen dimming problem, I agree however the brightness half-life is a problem. Your new Mac might be too brightwhen new but just wait a few years and it will be significantly dimmer. That is when you will appreciate the brightness.

If I have a new Mac with a too-bright screen, I let it run all the time until it's adequately dimmer. It might take 6 months or so. Of course, I'll pay for it in 4 years when the screen is too dim, but technology is a cruel taskmaster.

ThreeBKK

08-28-2006 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnarlodious (Post 317885)

I would sure like to see an Airport card with an external antenna jack. Everyone complains about weak Airport power.

Great idea, I want one too!

Quote:

About the screen dimming problem, I agree however the brightness half-life is a problem. Your new Mac might be too brightwhen new but just wait a few years and it will be significantly dimmer. That is when you will appreciate the brightness.

Yeah, but as it is now I don't even use more than half of the available brightness during the daytime. More than about 6 bars on the brightness meter hurts my eyes. I only go up to 8 bars when watching DVDs because they are darker for some reason.

I was experimenting with making some new color profiles. I didn't really accomplish what I set out to do, but I did make some very interesting alternative color profiles for general usage. I'll have to try the program that hayne is suggesting next.

ThreeBKK

07-01-2008 06:25 AM

I'd also like to have a display on my MB Pro which has a remotely controllable viewing angle. I want tiny motors or actuators inside of the body which can tilt the screen forward and backward at the touch of a remote button. That would be handy.

An Airport Extreme card which I can retro fit into my PowerBook G4 to get 802.11 N speeds would be wonderful. I don't really want to add on a USB device just to do this.

ThreeBKK

07-01-2008 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeBKK (Post 315597)

As it is, I use a pair of vinyl erasers to prop up the rear of my PB. Not exactly high-tech, but very cheap and somewhat effective.

I've upgraded from erasers to 3M felt furniture feet (square). Take two of them, and stick them together with the provided adhesive to make a soft block which props up the rear of the notebook.

The erasers were reacting adversely to the heat exuded from my PowerBook's aluminum shell.

ArcticStones

07-01-2008 06:54 AM

.
Peripheral:
A freely "tethering" iPhone for my laptop.

ThreeBKK

07-01-2008 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voldenuit (Post 315519)

That's a technical limitation of the light tubes used, you can't dim them beyond a certain point. It won't change until LEDs can be used instead.

Comparing my PowerBook, with old-school backlighting, to my MacBook Pro, with LED backlighting, in a dark room, I can say that the lowest brightness level is about the same for both. There isn't any discernible difference between the light output coming from the two screens other than the color balance. The MacBook Pro is a little blue, the PowerBook is a little yellow.

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