Already, a few issues have been reported in a few forums.

• The battery/HDD cover doesn’t close flush against the case or has gaps.
• Problems with connecting external displays via DVI or VGA.

The Apple Defects wiki hasn’t reported any issues yet with the new late-2008 MacBooks or MacBook Pros, but I’m sure they will trickle in as the year wraps up. Are any of you dear readers unfortunate victims of defects in the new MacBook/Pros?

Update 10/4/2008: Looks like the trackpads are having issues now.

The new MacBooks that debuted this week, I have to admit, are tempting me. The new unibody aluminum design is damn slick and feels very solid and substantial in my hands. The new multi-touchpad feels very natural to the touch. Even the internals have been simplified. I think Jony Ive was right when he said “it’s more beautiful on the inside than the outside”.

That said, there is a design choice that I find highly questionable: Apple’s decision to create a proprietary display connector for a standardized display interface. While DisplayPort is a license- and royalty-free industry standard which has a standardized connector, Apple chose to design its own connector and called it Mini-DisplayPort. Not the display interface standard, mind you, just the connector.

Earlier this year, I bought my first of two Dell WFP2408 LCD monitors, which were one of the first displays to feature the newly standardized DisplayPort interfaces alongside the more common DVI connectors. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to use the DisplayPort connectors because Apple does not conform to the connector standard nor do they currently offer a Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter. I can, however, elect to purchase a $30 Mini-DisplayPort to single-link DVI adapter. If I had a 30-inch LCD, I could choose the rediculously priced $100 Mini-DisplayPort to dual-link DVI adapter that’s about as large as the power adapter and also takes up a USB port. Conveniently enough, however, Apple has just started selling a new 24″ LCD monitor featuring their own Mini-DisplayPort connector.

After spending a fairly good premium on an Apple laptop, I don’t think it’s quite fair to force a customer to buy a $30-100 adapter for Apple’s non-standard DisplayPort connector. At the least, I feel Apple should include a Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter with their laptops. Each time I feel tempted to enter the beautiful, walled gardens of Apple, it’s these little catches that make me think twice.

Update Oct. 17. 2008:

Looks like I’m not the only one griping about this.

Update Jan. 30. 2009:

I  bought a MacBook on Jan 6.