Bezel around screen

[MBX]

Anyone know why there is such a thick bezel around the screen of the MacBook Pro's? Why can't they extend the screen until almost the very edge (dark grey border) of the lid?

When they introduced the MBP iSight version they cut off like 100 pixels at the top.

So i really hope the new MBP's will not go the MacBook Air route and have even thicker borders but actually reduce more than the current models.

 

[e12a]

there are screws on the panel's edge that extend the trim around the lcd panel inside. the lcd panel inside doesnt extend far enough to be flush with the edges. besides screws attaching the LCD to the bezel/frame, there is adhesive on the panel's trim, adhering it to the bezel.

for the bottom, the lcd driver or inverter board (depending on generation) and wiring (LVDS, Wifi antennae, etc.) need space for proper routing. Plus its a handy place to but "Macbook Pro".

edit:
the lcd trim takes about half the width of the bezel. If you look on the backside of the clamshell you see that it is rounded just past half way. You can't have a lcd panel that is flush with the edge and still have a rounded edge on the backside. there just isn't enough clearance.

not to mention lcd panels are built to specifications. Apple doesnt make the panels.

 

[anirban]

I am no hardware designer, but it seems that there has to be some space for the display housing, mounting hardware, and connectors in general. In that sense, I would say that the current bezel is normal, I wouldn't expect them to stretch the screen all the way to the very rim.

 

[macbook123]

Titanium Powerbook had much thinner bezel.

They were able to do it 8 years back, so I disagree with the explanations for the enormous bezel on all the new Apple computers given here...

Note that since the last post to this thread the new Macbooks and Macbook Pro's were released, again with thicker bezel than the previous generation (which also had LED screens in case of the MBP).

Here's my theory: Apple needs to give the laptops a wider footprint to fit the same amount of hardware into a thinner case, but they can't find providers making ~16 inch screens, so they just thicken that bezel instead....

 

[macrem]

It seems the MBP iSight camera increases the width of the top of the bezel compared to a cam-less Tibook.

I don't see a major difference between the pre- & post-Oct 2008 MBPs:

 

[macbook123]

It seems the MBP iSight camera increases the width of the top of the bezel compared to a cam-less Tibook.

I don't see a major difference between the pre- & post-Oct 2008 MBPs:

The iSight camera increases the width at the top (more than on some other laptops), but there's no reason for it to increase the width on the sides.

The unibody MBP is wider and deeper than its predecessor. Since the LCD's are exactly the same size, all that extra width and depth goes into the bezel. I can see it clearly in your photo and have both laptops in front of me (don't have time to measure them right now).

 

[duffyanneal]

I believe the main reason for the wider bezel is for aesthetics. Not so much for the display side but for the lid itself. The wider bezel allows the lid to taper to a sharper edge which ties it into the tapered bottom panel. This slims the machine down when closed. Also if you look inside the case it's a pretty tight fit for the mobo, battery, and disc drive. Apple thinned out the case but as a result the guts inside the machine spread out a little. This caused the bottom case to be a tad bit wider and deeper. The lid has to match up to the base hence the wider bezel.

 

[Mercellus]

Quite honestly, when comparing the older style display bezel compared to the new model, I actually prefer the new model simply because it places the focus on what you're working on. I would also imagine the increased size of the bezel allows the components to be more evenly distributed inside of the display enclosure making it slightly thinner. It also gives the glass a larger surface to adhere to.

 

[macbook123]

Quite honestly, when comparing the older style display bezel compared to the new model, I actually prefer the new model simply because it places the focus on what you're working on. I would also imagine the increased size of the bezel allows the components to be more evenly distributed inside of the display enclosure making it slightly thinner. It also gives the glass a larger surface to adhere to.

So what in your opinion is the limit to making the bezel wider? Would it still be preferable if the bezel were as wide as the visible area itself (excuse my sarcasm here...)?

 

[Mercellus]

So what in your opinion is the limit to making the bezel wider? Would it still be preferable if the bezel were as wide as the visible area itself (excuse my sarcasm here...)?

I believe that Apple have found a perfect balance for the new bezel, in my eyes it looks striking yet not distracting at all while I am actually using the computer; it's not too narrow but it's not too wide either.

 

[macrem]

So what in your opinion is the limit to making the bezel wider? Would it still be preferable if the bezel were as wide as the visible area itself (excuse my sarcasm here...)?

I also prefer that the screen uses the maximum amount of space.

IMO this just looks too cheesy:

 

[andrewdale]

If I had to guess, they had to make the bezel wider to make the top still fit the bottom casing. The bottom casing had to be a bit larger to fit the components, so they added a little more bezel to make it all fit right.

 

[macbook123]

If I had to guess, they had to make the bezel wider to make the top still fit the bottom casing. The bottom casing had to be a bit larger to fit the components, so they added a little more bezel to make it all fit right.

The obvious alternative would be to make the LCD itself larger

 

[wheelhot]

Wow, the new MBP looks hot

 

[macbook123]

I believe that Apple have found a perfect balance for the new bezel, in my eyes it looks striking yet not distracting at all while I am actually using the computer; it's not too narrow but it's not too wide either.

I disagree. I don't see any advantage in having a wider bezel. The thinner, the more functional (because the surface area of the laptop is optimally used), and therefore the more appealing. If you need a black thing surrounding your visible screen area, how about putting a black cloth behind the laptop (again I'm being somewhat sarcastic, thought not completely jokingly)?

 

[macbook123]

I believe the main reason for the wider bezel is for aesthetics. Not so much for the display side but for the lid itself. The wider bezel allows the lid to taper to a sharper edge which ties it into the tapered bottom panel. This slims the machine down when closed. Also if you look inside the case it's a pretty tight fit for the mobo, battery, and disc drive. Apple thinned out the case but as a result the guts inside the machine spread out a little. This caused the bottom case to be a tad bit wider and deeper. The lid has to match up to the base hence the wider bezel.

It only makes the MBP *look* slimmer though, if viewed from an angle. I personally would have preferred a case that has the same thickness everywhere (like the TiBook), yet has a 16 inch LCD (preferably with higher resolution!) and a thin bezel, thereby allowing for the same footprint and total thickness as the current MBP.

But I seem to be the only one here criticizing Apple's design choices, so I'm going to shut up now G'night everyone!

 

[duffyanneal]

But I seem to be the only one here criticizing Apple's design choices, so I'm going to shut up now G'night everyone!

I would have preferred a smaller bezel myself. I like my machines a bit less rounded. But I'm happy they finally changed the design a little I was not buying any more MBPs until they did a little work.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

They were able to do it 8 years back, so I disagree with the explanations for the enormous bezel on all the new Apple computers given here...

Except previous models did not use a glass screen. It seems to be the bezel is larger only to support the external glass.

 

[deadpixels]

I also prefer that the screen uses the maximum amount of space.

IMO this just looks too cheesy:

"IT" runs windows, "IT" is supposed to be ugly