“Apple’s two laptop lines, the MacBook and MacBook Pro, are very good. They have better built-in software than any Windows laptop I’ve seen and don’t suffer from the security issues that plague Windows. And they can even run Windows software, if you need that,” Walter S. Mossberg writes for The Wall Street Journal.
Mossberg writes, “But the Mac laptops lack some features that are common on Windows portables, such as slots for camera memory cards and built-in cellular modems. And the MacBook even lacks an ExpressCard or PC Card slot.”
Full article via Mossberg’s new AllThingsD.com website here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “JadisOne” for the heads up.]
MacDailyNews Take: Invalid criticisms if you spend more than a second looking at it. A $19 memory card reader (USB or ExpressCard) is hardly a reason to shackle yourself with an OS-limited PC from HP, Dell, Toshiba, etc. Get a Mac. Criticizing the MacBook for lacking an ExpressCard or PC Card slot, is like criticizing a VW Beetle for not offering a tow hitch. Get a MacBook Pro if you want that slot. Apple offers two notebook lines for a reason: they are designed for different users. Both camera memory cards and broadband cellular modems are available in USB for MacBooks; if you want such things tucked safely inside a card slot, get a MacBook Pro. People who limit themselves with non-Apple notebooks lose out on a whole lot more than Mossberg’s meaningless MacBook piffles.
I’m sorry, but the MDN take was just immature…. I mean, please.
The card reader criticism is a joke (for the reason stated by MDN), but the ExpressCard slot isn’t. While most MacBook purchasers couldn’t care less, for those few who want such a slot–say to get on a cellular carrier’s data network–this is a real issue. And comparably priced Windows laptops often DO have such a slot. I wouldn’t trade a MacBook for one of those, but it’s a fair point.
I agree that the memory card slots are largely worthless and just add bulk since you can easily get a cheap USB reader, or just plug your camera in directly. However, the lack of an ExpressCard slot is a different issue. I think MacBooks should include one as well since comparably priced PCs do have them.
Between those comments and giving as positive review to another non iPod MP3 player, the checks from Apple must be drying up.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117806696371588969.html?mod=mostpop
I use a lot of camera’s lately, but I just don’t want those dustholes on my mac.
Considering how the argument is often made that Apple’s products are slightly more expensive that PC equivalents due to the number of standard features not included in barebones PC’s, I think Mossberg’s (usually a Mac cheerleader) comments are very valid. Particularly on the ExpressCard and PC card slots; the same is true for the lack of PCI slots on the iMac; something that’s always frustrated me, even though they’re terrific machines. When someone like Mossberg criticizes Apple, you know it’s with reluctance…His article is very fair.
I beleive you can get a USB cell modem nowadays.
Anybody?
Bueller?
MDN take was indeed immature. Grow up MDN.
Come on MacDailyNews, grow up, the lack of an express card slot on the MacBook is a legitimate criticism. I have a MacBook and I wish it had an express card slot. I agree there is little need for memory card slots as there are a multitude of small, inexpensive card readers available.
I don’t think MDN understands that criticism can be constructive, which is usually the case with Mossberg’s criticisms. There is always room for improvement in every Apple product. Recognizing these things is the first step in making better products.
Jack, One Guy, et al:
Criticizing the MacBook for lacking an ExpressCard or PC Card slot, is like criticizing a VW Beetle for not offering a tow hitch. Get a MacBook Pro if you want that slot.
MDN is right, you are all wrong.
If you’re so stupid as to buy a notebook without a slot when you want a slot, don’t blame Apple – especially as they offer a notebook line with slots.
As an aside, it’s a good thing MDN doesn’t work for Apple, because then nothing would ever improve.
Piffles?
Like cattles and sheeps and feets?
Gosh, Jack, One Guy, and immature, don’t you guys just LOVE that “grow up” cliche? Rat-a-tat-tat: “Grow up,” say you.
Well, then you ought to be right at home with this response: GET A LIFE! Pop-pop!
I agree- it’s a valid criticism. The idea of a laptop is portability. If you have to buy an external device for every thing you want to do, you start to lose that portability. None of Apple’s laptops offer an internal modem anymore, and none offer a PC card slot. And Mac Books have no such slot period. While Mac OS X is certainly nicer than Windows, at least for anyone visiting this site, having some expandibility in the base Mac Book would certainly make them more competitive since most other laptops in the same price range do.
am i the only one that prefers to use a USB cable directly from my camera so that I dont have to handle the 2gb sd card?
” A $19 memory card reader (USB or ExpressCard)”
http://www.amazon.com/Expresscard-CF-Adapter-Mac-DDEXP34-CF-1/dp/B000JZF2WW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-4734493-3047339?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1178224883&sr=1-1
Yea, I really want to clutter up my MBP with one of these ugly things… plus it’s $45, not $19.
Another knee-jerk idiotic take by MDN. Congrats. You take a valid criticism, like a lack of features that are offered on “same class” notebooks and basically say that they’re high-end only features that require another $1000.00 to get. You also throw out the fact that Mossberg is giving the Mac laptops good reviews and simply focus on the one tiny bit of VALID criticism and try to hang him with it. You’re the worst thing for the Mac community and one of the reasons we have such an infamous reputation.
To TiredofRetards
Your response is sort of a leap, don’t you think. All Walt Mossberg was doing was POINTING OUT the fact that the MacBook doesn’t have these features. For those to whom this information is relevant, it could be a decider. If someone needs an Express Card slot and doesn’t have the extra grand lying around to pony up for the MacBook Pro, that user is out of luck.
And MDNs metaphor is completely off. It would be more like if you bought a pair of Nike running shoes for 100 dollars, but they don’t come with laces. MDN basically says “Well, if you really need laces, then you should get the 200 dollar pair of Nike running shoes.” You on the other hand can look all around and see other brands offering 100 dollar running shoes with laces, they’re just not Nike. Then MDN kicks you in the balls and takes your lunch money.
Apple could use more product offerings in the Mac line to fill the mid-range of computers; I am surprised that Apple has not done so already. Mac OS X is so good that I think MDN focuses so much on the software angle because that is so imoortant. Minor hardware features should not stop potential users of the all-powerful OS that we all adore so much. The battle of the OS’ continue…
Built-In memory card slots?
Okay, which of some 20 different formats? Or do we have some honkin’ big slot and a handful of adaptors? How much space does it take up? What do I have to give up for this feature of little use?
For $10 (retail) I can buy an Iogear SD (or other format) USB2 thumb reader in whichever format I like. Plus, it doubles as a thumb drive for file transfers.
http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GFR202SD&name=Pocket Card Reader
As for cellular modems. Name a generic DOSBox that has one?
All I can say is that I’m glad my digital camera does wireless transfer.
And for those of us that travel a lot, having external card readers and the like is a hassle. It’s more stuff to carry around. And I already have enough stuff. iPod, GPS, power brick, accompanying cables and so on. The point has been made that when you have to add on to a portable, you’re making it less-so with each item you add.
I have a MacBook Pro, and have just ordered a memory card reading Express card on eBay for my GPS card, but I can see why Walts’ criticisms are valid and the MacBook should have this slot too.
OK, let me throw my two cents in. Why not. : -)
I read Walt’s article and I tend to agree with MDN. Walt says you need a camera but does not mention one comes with the Mac, etc.
OK, you want a card reader, they are out there cheap, you want the other card slot, I am sure there are adapters out there. Walt is usually pretty fair and exact on his presentation and I think that he kinda slipped here. Maybe he did not want to seem to praise Macs too much so he was trying to find something wrong to show PC people that he was trying to be even. Don’t know.
Eitherway, the machines come with what they come with. Nuff said. Have a nice weekend.
en
MDN word – anyone. as in “Anyone? Anyone?”, Buller? Buller?”
In order to maintain his journalistic credibility, Mossberg (and any other writer, for that matter) has to provide at least some criticisms. Otherwise, the writer could be accused of being a PR guy for the product’s company and not a fair and imbalanced reviewer.
Mossberg likes the MacBooks and MacBook Pros a lot. He makes that clear. But things would look very fishy if he never said anything bad about them. The same goes for any other product.
Not many people could confuse the relative importance of the points being made.
The Macbooks are still much better value with or without…