Apple Says Notch is a 'Smart Way' to Give Users More Space for Content on New MacBook Pros

[Bruce Patterson]

What I don't get is why not do a clear background behind the "notch" and/or make it more of a hole punch? Why not have FaceID in there??

 

[dhruveonmars]

The notch doesn't bother me but I rarely use a webcam. Count me in as another that would opt for a MacBook Pro without a webcam/notch if given a choice…even if it was the same price.

-kp

It's not just the camera in the notch, but there's also a True Tone sensor and light sensor if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[reyesmac]

If apple included the exact front camera system as it includes in the iPhone 13 then the notch would be exactly the same size as the notch on the phone. Why is it so big? So people complain and buy it anyway, get used to it, and then Apple can "improve" it by including the same camera system on the iPhone 13 after that set of cameras is very cheap to buy. Its just a dumb game to play with your customers when you can clearly do better but at the cost of a few more dollars per unit. I guess the hit on the bottom line would be too big to justify right now.

 

[Pakaku]

Why not have FaceID in there??

Gotta save something for the next round of MBPs

 

[boak]

A small notch would look quite awkward on a big display though. The design is kind of tailored to the product, just like how the corners are sharper than the iPhone notch’s, to mirror the device corners.

 

[davidako]

Because if they didn't keep the chin, when the menu bar is black and essentially the notch is hidden, then it would seem like there is a big forehead. The way it is now, when the menu bar is black, the top and bottom bezels look equal.

Yep, but 16:10. Which is a poor aspect ratio. Too tall for content consumption but too wide for work.

Ideally they’d be closer to the 4:3 of the iPad 12.9. 4:3 to 3:2 is best for productivity IMO, but difficult to fit into a hinged laptop.

 

[TComm]

It still looks bloody awful no matter how they or anyone else tries to spin it. It’s an eyesore. Not everyone likes using dark mode to try and ‘hide’ it either.

When you have to resort to using workarounds via software to try and disguise a hardware design decision then that is bad design. End of story.

Spot on comment. The notch is so not Apple.

 

[DummyFool]

Some windows laptops have bezels almost as tin and no notch. This gives even more screen real estate and in my opinion looks better.

 

[Wildkraut]

So much hate. Some people are never happy. If we could turn that into energy we could generate enough power to launch Zuck into the sun or something.

No, but that’s probably what Apple is trying to achieve lately, let Steve spin at speed of light in his grave to power the Apple HQ Spaceship.

 

[aeternitas]

It was clear from the beginning, when you read user comments during the day of the reveal, that they were Apple PR taking points.

The idea that “we gave you a notch so you could have more screen real estate” is such a stupid spin when you actually think about it. It’s amazing people fall for it.

 

[Kylo83]

If the iPhone has a 4k front camera why can’t they put that in the MacBook, the huge notch just for a old 1080p camera is odd

 

[bradman83]

Steve would have never approved the notch. Especially on the phone.

Steve approved of:

• The iMac G3 hockey puck mouse (and every other ergonomically awful Apple mouse that came after)
• The buttonless iPod Shuffle
• QuickTime Player 4 (and QuickTime Player X for good measure)
• The Power Mac G4 cube
• iPod socks
• iTunes Ping
• Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian patterns on computers

Steve probably would have approved of the notch, he would have just done a better job making you think it was a great idea.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I totally agree.

If anyone wants to send me their 'notched' MacBook Pro, I will accept it with the appropriate amount of scorn and distaste... Anyone? Anyone?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

The notch could have been smaller but Apple is saving that for next year.

Tim in Fall ? event, 2022.

“This is the most powerful Mac we have ever built” It contains a smaller cut out for the camera. We think you are going to love it”

View attachment 1876948​

I did find it odd how many times he stomped when making a point. Just a random observation...

 

[jlc1978]

Well then we would have had a top bezel equal to the thickness of the notch and everyone would be bitching about "OMG! The bezels are so thick!"

Exactly.

The notch is industrial strength stupid. I can't fu|_________|ing believe they would would put a physical obstacle in the middle of a laptop screen.

It's been there all the time, just hidden by a bezel taking up space.

Wanna be creative? Sell one SKU without the bloody notch / camera and let me use my iPhone for necessary video calls.

They do. Stay in full screen and the problem is solved.

 

[topdrawer]

Some windows laptops have bezels almost as tin and no notch. This gives even more screen real estate and in my opinion looks better.

then you got choices. it's a wonderful world.

 

[Marshall73]

Yep, but 16:10. Which is a poor aspect ratio. Too tall for content consumption but too wide for work.

Ideally they’d be closer to the 4:3 of the iPad 12.9. 4:3 to 3:2 is best for productivity IMO, but difficult to fit into a hinged laptop.

Same aspect ratio as previous macs though.

 

[macNerd1]

Apple trying to put lipstick on a pig.

 

[noraa]

The notch is big for no reasons.

And you know this how? Have you gotten the computer and done a teardown of the screen?

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

The notch could have been smaller but Apple is saving that for next year.

Tim in Fall 💻 event, 2022.

“This is the most powerful Mac we have ever built” It contains a smaller cut out for the camera. We think you are going to love it”

View attachment 1876948​

Your post, rings a certain air of inevitability of a reoccurring theme at Apple. The thought that comes to my head is: "tired skies of oblivion with everything we do".

 

[coolman124]

Apple does have a good point here. Especially if it was designed by Jony Ive’s. The notch was able to introduce a bigger screen factor on an iPhone X too comparing with iPhone 8 Pro Max.

The iphone 8 what?

 

[TinaBelcher]

Justine? Really? Her over-the-top, dramatic smile, alone makes me wanna gag. Just look at her channel, she has no knowledge of Apple products. She's just an ignorant fanatatic. Don't take anything she says seriously.

 

[CasinoOwl]

This is no big deal if you can make the menu bar black whether you are using dark or light mode. Apple should build that in to settings.

 

[Wildkraut]

Some Apple keynote in 2025: "This is the new completely redesigned MacBook Pro, we've removed the notch and we think you're going to love it!".

And then introduce some other ? that people hate.

 

[mdw1]

Best way to cover the notch haha....