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Get Rid of the Bezel! One of two new macbook flaws

I

ivdig

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 27, 2008
12
0
Uh does anyone have a problem with the huge bezel around the macbooks new and old? I was sure this would be changed with the new macbooks. It just looks terrible, and is a waste of space, and materials. I am sure apple can get rid of it by either making the screen bigger, or making the laptop smaller. And for anyone to say that this is technically beyond apple is foolish. I really want a new macbook but I am so deterred by the huge waste of space. Tell me what you think and maybe we can try and turn this into something. I included a picture of the existing macbook and what it would look like if it was downsized. Btw the screen sizes are exactly the same size. No Firewire is the other flaw.

:confused::confused:

- ivdig
 

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It's not a waste of space. Your airport antenna is behind that, which needs to be vertical to get the best signal possible.
 
Shockingly I liked the bezel and I like that if I open it my finger isn't on the screen itself (viewable area). Sorry but it seems rather functional in a weird way.

BTW those who say "oh I looked at it in the store" dude just use it ... things grow on you after use.
 
Reducing the bezel is only achievable to an extent, the iSight electronics take up about 1cm vertically in the display housing, do don't expect the bezel to get thinner than that.
 
I just want to clarify that I hate PCs and I am a die hard mac fan, and will be with them hopefully for a very long time to come... but I have seen many different PC laptops that have managed to create much smaller bezels, and I know the antenna is there but many of these PCs have it there as well. And this applies to the camera issue as well. In general it just seems like cheap, and I agree that it kind of makes it look like a toy. Imagine if there was a 14.3 inch screen on there it would make all the world of difference. And could you really argue against that?

- ivdig
:apple:
 
Meh, there's always going to be people that don't like the new product design. I don't really like the new ones that much. I was hoping for the new Macbooks to be a sort of "bigger" MacBook Air.
 
ivdig said:
Imagine if there was a 14.3 inch screen on there it would make all the world of difference.
Click to expand...

I can imagine a 14" screen. And I can imagine it being too big for me, and probably others. In many situations, like watching a movie at close range in bed, a smaller screen is preferable.

Also, as a retoucher/photographer, I like how the bezel visually isolates the screen from distractions, and nicely frames the content.
 
jessica. said:
BTW those who say "oh I looked at it in the store" dude just use it ... things grow on you after use.
Click to expand...

You want people to splash out £1100+ on a machine that, hopefully, they're grow to like after a while?

For that price, the options should be available for people to have the machine they want - not the machine they can put up with. Please, don't defend poor design and marketing decisions by Apple.
 
You're going to touch the screen when you open it. There needs to be space for the airport antenna and isight camera, at least above the screen? Perhaps they could narrow the sides but leave the bevel along top? No, that'd look stupid. :eek:

Basically, it'd like nicer with less bezel, but it's pretty damn nice already.
 
the bezel is a large part of the reflection problem. I've used glossy screens before, but the new MB and MBP are very distracting because of the black gloss.

It shows everything and anything behind you. Aside from working in the dark, you will see something from the surroundings around you.

In fact tonight, on one of the new MBP's in my office, I took black tape and just taped around the bezel. You won't believe what a difference it makes. I recently had laser eye correction, so my eyes are a little sensitive to distracting elements like reflections. This address a large part of my displeasure with the glossy bezel and plan to try and find a long term solution.
 
onesixeight said:
the bezel is a large part of the reflection problem. I've used glossy screens before, but the new MB and MBP are very distracting because of the black gloss.

It shows everything and anything behind you. Aside from working in the dark, you will see something from the surroundings around you.

In fact tonight, on one of the new MBP's in my office, I took black tape and just taped around the bezel. You won't believe what a difference it makes. I recently had laser eye correction, so my eyes are a little sensitive to distracting elements like reflections. This address a large part of my displeasure with the glossy bezel and plan to try and find a long term solution.
Click to expand...

Hmm... I think it'll be only a matter of time before a company takes advantage of this and sells some anti-gloss borders for the new macbooks.

Maybe I should design one. Curse you laziness. :(
 
mcdj said:
I can imagine a 14" screen. And I can imagine it being too big for me, and probably others. In many situations, like watching a movie at close range in bed, a smaller screen is preferable.

Also, as a retoucher/photographer, I like how the bezel visually isolates the screen from distractions, and nicely frames the content.
Click to expand...

+1

Like epic +1! I do video work on my BlackBook and the frame is highly functional in creating a border between my reality and actual reality (however much I try to ignore actual reality *sigh* :rolleyes:). Plus when you're watching video it defines a clear edge to the picture.

Also... I remember the 14" iBooks. Everyone I knew bought the 12" ones for the simple reason that when they were working by themselves with the machine on their knees or in bed or whatever, an extra inch or so of screen is about as useful as a lead balloon.
 
The All New Build It YOUR Way MacBook.

Everyone has differing opinions. I have the new MacBook. I had (still do) v 2,2 MacBook Pro with a MATTE screen.

I love the new MacBook and think the display itself is amazing and I feel GOOD about the glossy display. What I think the real glare/reflection problem is the black glass bezel.

However, I know that Apple CANNOT make AFFORDABLE "Build it your way" MacBooks, so I will settle with what they offer or I will get a PC (HA HA HA - NEVER).

There are so many pros, I really think most people focus solely on the few flaws. All around it's a wonderful Notebook. I would recommend it to others. I would say, you may not get use to the bezel, but it's worth every penny of the $1599 I paid for it. Learn to ignore it or buy something else.

BUT the bitching has to stop. Firewire, battery cover, keys slanted, too shiny display, too big of bezel (oh would you rather make a reduced size keyboard with LESS power so the computer and the fold up display are the same size), it won't take 8 GB RAM, it is built from a solid piece of aluminum (yes, I am sure some will say this is a problem next), and etc etc etc.

Cheers all.
 
Scottsdale said:
BUT the bitching has to stop. Firewire, battery cover, keys slanted, too shiny display, too big of bezel (oh would you rather make a reduced size keyboard with LESS power so the computer and the fold up display are the same size), it won't take 8 GB RAM, it is built from a solid piece of aluminum (yes, I am sure some will say this is a problem next), and etc etc etc.
Click to expand...

I think the level of dissatisfaction with this latest laptop redesign should be taken seriously. Apple will sell a lot of them because there are a lot of people who want to use OS X (or who have no choice because they are invested in a bunch of Apple software), and those people have to buy whatever Apple has on offer. So you end up with a lot of folks saying, "you'll get used to it", or "you can use X,Y, or Z modification to deal with the reflections" because they spent a lot of money and don't want to feel buyer's remorse.

However, I think dissatisfied customers should make a lot of noise--in letters to Apple, on forums, when talking to friends or colleagues...in the hopes that Apple will get the message. I'm afraid that sheer sales figures will be misread by Apple, whichever way they go. They might sell a lot of laptops because Apple users have no other options, or they might not sell very many, in which case Apple might blame the poor economy. But if people are dissatisfied, they need to be explicit about it. They need to "bitch" so that Apple comes up with a better design sooner than later.
 
ivdig said:
Uh does anyone have a problem with the huge bezel around the macbooks new and old? I was sure this would be changed with the new macbooks. It just looks terrible, and is a waste of space, and materials. I am sure apple can get rid of it by either making the screen bigger, or making the laptop smaller. And for anyone to say that this is technically beyond apple is foolish. I really want a new macbook but I am so deterred by the huge waste of space. Tell me what you think and maybe we can try and turn this into something. I included a picture of the existing macbook and what it would look like if it was downsized. Btw the screen sizes are exactly the same size. No Firewire is the other flaw.

:confused::confused:

- ivdig
Click to expand...

I like how you are listing "flaws" of the MacBooks... Do you work at Apple?
There are reasons for everything. they are not just done to upset you.

If they made the screen bezel smaller, the base of the computer would have to be smaller. This means smaller components, more cost, more heat, more whiney customers.

The next time you decide to complain about something, think about why it was done the way it was, other than Apple trying to upset you.

Apple has always been the first of any computer company to abandon older technologies: floppy disks, 3 1/4 disks, dial-up internet and more. Every time they have done this people said it was a big mistake and that it will be their downfall... Sounds kinda like right now with the firewire doesn't it.

The Macbook screens were always glossy BTW.
 
In regards to the bitching, there is a difference between critiquing and bitching. Consumer critiques are the way products are supposed to be designed. So pointing out flaws is very important for both the consumers, and a company. It is the same thing when people say,"If you don't like America then you can get out!" As I said I love apple and will only buy their products. But to remain silent consumers is just dumb. Trust me apple wants to know what people like and don't like.

But anyways. Also I said in my original post you could shave off a lot of the bezel and edges without resizing the screen and keyboard at all. And for people to say it would slow down the computer is silly. You are talking about the people who fit a computer into the Air.

Just out of curiosity would any one want the smaller Macbook depicted in the picture I attached in my first post on the right? Same exact size keyboard and screen.

- ivdig

PS. haha Phrasikleia i was writting my post before I saw yours. Funny that we are thinking the same thing. :p
 
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