List your ideas for laptop improvent here. Maybe someone will listen.

ok. so being pretty new to the notebook world, i have noticed a couple of things. small things that i would think in the decades of engineering laptops some manufacturer would have figured out.

why don't they move the fan intake away from the bottom of the computer? you think they could figure out a way to have the intake/exhaust on the side/back. hell, the top even (somewhere around the keyboard, maybe?). but the bottom? that is a bad idea for so many reasons, not the least of which is that it is a LAPTOP computer. sure, real estate is needed for ports and what not- but the intake and exhaust ports need not be large.

the jack for the power plug. why do they think it's a good idea to have this long plug sticking out of a computer that will be moved around all the time? not only is it long, but it is usually directly attached to the motherboard- a couple of wires could get the jack off the motherboard at least! maybe they could alter the jack to pop off easily as well, so maybe you won't pull your laptop off a desk if you trip on the cord. aren't there any engineers out there that think of this kind of stuff? apple people will surely chime in here. hehe.

let's discuss laptop improvement ideas here. maybe somebody will listen. i'm sure we can come up with some killer ideas.

 

As you've already acknowledged, there are alternatives ways to handle the powerplug, as seen on the MacBook and MacBook Pro. You would think more companies would start using similar tech though, as often the power adapter connector is one of the biggest sources of problems of failure or damage.

As far as fan intake goes, I think there are plenty of laptops that do have the fan exhaust on the sides and/or back. In fact, the large majority of laptops I've seen these days usually seem to have them on the sides.

 

Being on the sides would be awesome. When I have my laptop on my lap I'm afraid it will overheat.

 

apologies 'dillo. don't know if i clearly made my point-


i mean have the intake and exhaust somewhere other than the bottom. doesn't matter where- as long as the intake/exhaust can't be blocked by your legs or choked by sitting on a deck even!

lots of laptops have the intake on the bottom and exhaust on the side/back. they should think of a better way. maybe intake on side/exhaust on back. with a little tubing or ducting they could easily have the intake/exhaust right next to each other if need be. they could put it anywhere they wanted...

side/back/near the keyboard anywhere! just no intake or exhaust on the bottom would let these things breathe better.

i honestly can't believe that laptops have been around as long as they have and they haven't figured this out yet. lots of people use these things on their beds... man. i wish i worked for a computer company. i would think a laptop that was just thought out a little better could be pretty popular.

 

how 'bout retractable ear buds so you don't half to make sure to pack a pair every time you go somewhere, 'cause laptop speakers are just pain bad most of the time!

 

i like that idea. they would have to be easily replaceable in case they broke or you wanted to use another kind. awesome.

you could also have the retractable ear buds attach to the laptop somehow, maybe to the battery lock or something. they would have to be unobtrusive for transport, that might be tough to figure out.

 

yeah that was what i was getting at. kinda like the built in remotes.

 

sweet. never had a built in remote... hehe.

 

Better than that, what about Bluetooth earphones? They should make some that can fit in the expansion slot when not in use.

 

sony has the fans on the side

 

1. Laptops should not have the rubber supports on the battery. The base becomes unstable when you remove the battery when on AC power. (not everyone wants to charge the batt 24/7)

2. VGA output should not be near the AC adapter plug.

3. Headphone jacks should NOT be placed at the front. This is especially annoying when you want to connect external speakers. You don't want the wire to run in front of you! Also, when doing a presentation with sound, you have to move the laptop further up from ledge because the wire is in the way.

4. Durable paint/coating should be used on the keys. The silver paint on the m1330 is very susceptible for easy wear.

More to come...

 

lol okay..

Well for the cooling idea - There are alternatives being made, some company showcased a laptop that's heat sinks attach to the hinges, for the screen. Then on the other end of the hinges (the lid) it's made of a copper/steel, so all the heat is directed to the monitor lid. It's warm but not hot. It's a completely fanless design. Although, the stress on the hinges after time is unknown. Still a rough idea but it has been done and is very successful.

Reason they don't put an open area on the top (palm rest) is because if you spill water, one guess where it goes. Also, it'd be an open haven for dandruff, hair, dirt and debris. It's a good idea but comes with a risk in many ways.

The power jack, I agree, inside the jack should not be soldered right onto the mother board. I've seen so many jacks break. It should me, modular to a sense, easily removed and changed.

Apples technology is great idea, but all the macs in the office cords are fraying, this technology needs to be perfected, and desperately. Still, it's going in the right direction.

They make retractable headphones now.. not built into the laptop. but the cord and jack, both ends, retract by spring back into a tiny case that's attached. Built in is a great idea, hell I think they should remove the speakers period. They suck, plus laptops are designed for traveling and such, not many people go on a plain and crank it up if you know what I mean LoL. So that can be a configuration option at purchase, typical setup, or no speakers but built in retractable headphones. And if you were to change you're mind, it can be reverted to the other method by after market parts.

- - - -

My idea's,

A volume wheel instead of a pain in the ass volume -/+ button. Or at least an option to pick between the two at configuration before purchase.

A BACK LIT KEYBOARD OPTION FOR ALL DAMN MODELS! I wanted a Macbook Pro, just for this damn reason! But I refused to dish out that much for a computer that'll be outdated in 3 to 6 months.

A Standard - So if I wish to upgrade any component in my laptop through after market parts they develop for each form factor (14, 15,17 inch factors). I know it can be done, because they already make all they're systems dead on alike to save costs, so they just need to develop the ability to scale power and a good heat dissipation method. It has it's limits but I know it can be done. Don't start arguing with me about all the complications because I know them.. IT'S A DAMN IDEA, A DREAM, if we need to go so far. You knwo you want it to so eat me.

And how about being able to pick the color/finish of you're whole laptop. rather it be silver or black, smooth or textured.

Oh.. I also demand my tab button ejects hot or cold beverages from the computer (and cups better be damn included).

 

really? intake and exhaust? no ports for intake or exhaust on the bottom? way to go sony.

another obvious request is to make them easier to upgrade. i guess they aren't that tough now, lol. some brands are all over this, though.

lol.
have you seen the fridge that tosses you a beer? now that's technology.

 

No idea why the ethernet jack is on the right side of the new Inspirons... (is it all Inspirons? I have the 1520)...

 

OMG I want a beer tossing fridge! Screw the laptop idea.. I'd much rather whistle, and have beers thrown at me by a mechanical appliance. Lmfao....
- - -

Yeah Dell, Asus, others.. They got the upgrade capabilities, but there are the oh so lovely limitations (heat, power).

What Sony model is that? Likely one that's over priced like mad..typical.

 

Carbon Fiber works really well in heat dissipation. It should be offered when customizing a laptop.

 

lets see. first, i would make sure every laptop had atleast 4 full power usb 2.0 ports (not 2 that are weak and cant power anything). headphone jacks on the left side and the cd drive on the left side! i hate opening and closing my drive because i have to move my mouse/mousepad (its a big gel coushin one). i would make sure the ethernet jack is in the back not on the side as well as the monitor out port. i would make sure there was ample distance between the keyboard and lcd pannel so there are no marks on the screen after porting it around. i would move the intake for the cooling fan to the rear side while heat is dumped out the rear. i would not make one ram stick under the keyboard and one under the laptop. i would remove the caps lock button and replace it with the windows key. i would not make a laptop where the 9 cell battery sticks out the rear or bottom. and lastly, i would not make a laptop with vga out. only dvi or hdmi! oh, and all laptop video cards should be standard form, no exceptions.

 

i'll bet it's really light and strong as well?

 

The bluetooth headphones is a GREAT idea. It trumps the retractable headphones in that the inside of the laptop is cramped as is. I'd rather have more computer components than have to store a retractable set of earbuds. I personally would like to see better battery life out of the 14.1". I travel alot and my laptop is only plugged in in the evenings. I currently have a 9 Cell AND a 6 cell so I don't have to hunt down an outlet during every friggin meeting.

On the 15.4 and the 17s, fully powered USBs are great. On the 14.1, more battery life > all.

 

Carbon fiber also scratches easily. The heat issue will always be there IMO. I don't have discrete graphics though, so it's not as big of an issue here on my 14.1

 

I'd like that.
I'd also like a screen brightness control that doesn't depend on software and pushing the function key along with something else.
And I'd like a choice of OS, or at least a driver CD with drivers for several OS's.
And a button that can be easily configured to boot a second OS of your choosing (not like the mess you have to go through with the Media Direct button).

 

Carbon Fiber will also add like $300 to $3000 to the tag probably lmfao.

Still sick idea..

How about a gold plated option... I want my laptop gold plated, and the logo made of diamonds,

Like this..
http://www.laptoplogic.com/news/detail.php?id=3403

and a choice of picking the position of the damn touch pad!

 

I want a high power USB 3.0 so I can plug in a kettle and cook ramen noodles while I'm on my laptop.

Jokes aside, my Vostro could really use a wheel control for volume, a backlit keyboard (at least make it an option), and I really wished my shiny chrome power button would light up too. That would have really enhanced the looks.

 

Yes the Bluetooth idea is much better!

 

I think the Dells already have hardware contrast controls. I did not have to do anything special to make that work with Gentoo. In fact, it even worked in the installer.

 

lol....nice thread....!!
Bluetooth earphones is gr8 idea .....I also like the feature in Macbook Pro of having light sensors which adjust brightness according to lighting conditions....LED backlighting should be standard feature....

How abt giving a separate cover which can be fitted in the battery slot instead of the heavy battery. For many people who are constantly plugged in this would mean that a lighter notebook and no need of carrying battery when they sure about being plugged in....

How abt having a cordless AC adapter ? I m asking too much, right....