Is a notch ok if it meant a bigger screen/smaller chasis?

[senttoschool]

So leaks are coming out that the MBPs will get a notch.

This could mean one of two things:

1. The body is smaller and still able to achieve 14"/16"
2. The body remains similar size and we're getting something bigger than 14"/16", maybe 15"/17".

For me personally, I wouldn't mind the screen extending all the way to the top. The webcam really does take up a lot of space. The notch would just cut into the permanent menu bar, which most of the time, is empty in the middle.

Originally, I was turned off by it. But now I would actually prefer a notch. My preference is #2 of the above. I'd rather get more usable screen space than a smaller chassis. A 17" laptop would be a stunner.

If Apple actually does deliver a 17" laptop with 120hz mini-LED, I'd be ecstatic. A true upgrade from the 2015.

 

[Jorbanead]

I don’t think it’ll be an issue. I think for Full screen modes the top menu bar will intergreate really well with the notch. I could see two solutions for full screen mode:

1) A temporary black bar covering the top 74 pixels. The menu bar will appear in this space when your mouse hovers over it. Leaving the entire 16:10 portion below for app space while in full screen mode.

2) The menu could also extend 74 pixels and be semi transparent like it is now.

Either way it’s really not that intrusive and all they seem to be doing is adding extra vertical space to the current 16:10 ratio. So it’s not subtracting from anything.

Here’s an example:

 

[senttoschool]

@Jorbanead The notch seems unnecessarily big in those mocks. There is no way it's that big in height.

 

[senttoschool]

I dig this and think it's way better than the wasted space at the top of current Macbooks.

 

[Kung gu]

I prefer notch see below. The old MacBook looks hideous

 

[sunny5]

It just makes thing complicated especially for full screen.

I don’t think it’ll be an issue. I think for Full screen modes the top menu bar will intergreate really well with the notch. I could see two solutions for full screen mode:

1) A temporary black bar covering the top 74 pixels. The menu bar will appear in this space when your mouse hovers over it. Leaving the entire 16:10 portion below for app space while in full screen mode.

2) The menu could also extend 74 pixels and be semi transparent like it is now.

Either way it’s really not that intrusive and all they seem to be doing is adding extra vertical space to the current 16:10 ratio. So it’s not subtracting from anything.

Here’s an example:
View attachment 1868125

Only if Apple add those modes tho...

 

[Jorbanead]

@Jorbanead The notch seems unnecessarily big in those mocks. There is no way it's that big in height.

That’s 74 pixels in height compared to the 48 pixels of the standard top menu. The leaked screen sizes showed each added 74 pixels in height, suggesting the notch would be 74 pixels. This is what that looks like.

 

[Mr Screech]

It won't happen.
Many programs have a menubar with dropdown lists across the entire width.
I can't imagine apple being this stupid...

//bezels are a good thing, for contrast and practical opening and closing your screen without smudges.

 

[senttoschool]

It won't happen.
Many programs have a menubar with dropdown lists across the entire width.
I can't imagine apple being this stupid...

//bezels are a good thing, for contrast and practical opening and closing your screen without smudges.

Depends on the width of the notch. The screen can extend horizontally, giving back some of the space taken up by the notch. Then any menus can just be on the right side of the notch.

I never touch the bezels when closing my screen.

 

[UBS28]

It won't happen.
Many programs have a menubar with dropdown lists across the entire width.
I can't imagine apple being this stupid...

//bezels are a good thing, for contrast and practical opening and closing your screen without smudges.

Indeed. I did not expect that Apple would fail me again. The M1 MBP was not for me because it had 2 ports. And now with these M2X they add a notch?

Guess I will pick up a PC laptop maybe then if the rumours are true.

 

[JouniS]

Mac software should handle the notch fine, though there could be some initial issues with the weird screen shape. Multi-platform software might be another story, as it has generally been a safe assumption that a computer screen is rectangular.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Why would there be a need for a notch on a Mac though? We have them on iPhones due to the size of the device but with a computer this isn’t an issue as the bezel of the screen can be bigger. Am I missing something???

 

[Kung gu]

Indeed. I did not expect that Apple would fail me again. The M1 MBP was not for me because it had 2 ports. And now with these M2X they add a notch?

Guess I will pick up a PC laptop maybe then if the rumours are true.

I really don't care as the notch will be in the menu bar and hidden in full screen mode.

You do you. M1X will be the best laptop CPU. What matters in a computer is mainly the CPU and GPU and ports and battery life and the new macbooks will be best in all these.

But oh my gooosh the notch it's killing me is stupid without seeing the performance and ports of these machines.

 

[leman]

Why would there be a need for a notch on a Mac though? We have them on iPhones due to the size of the device but with a computer this isn’t an issue as the bezel of the screen can be bigger. Am I missing something???

Of course there is no need per se, but the idea is kind of intriguing. First, it would give you a bit more useful screen estate by essentially moving the menu into the top border. Second it would give the Mac laptops a very unique, distinctive look that nobody else can copy easily.

It just makes thing complicated especially for full screen.

I don't se any complications. The top border (with the notch) is just for the menu bar, not for the user content. In fullscreen mode the menu bar is simply blackened out. So basically, in fullscreen you get the usual 16:10 screen area (like on a current Mac display). In desktop mode, you get the full screen area for user content, since the menu bar will be in the border.

It won't happen.
Many programs have a menubar with dropdown lists across the entire width.
I can't imagine apple being this stupid...

This is not going to be a problem in practice. First, only very few applications have menus that reach into the middle of the screen. And even if they do, the menu bar can be simply lowered under the notch and you jut get your top black bezel.

 

[Serban55]

"Icons or other information may be displayed on a black background in the extended regions, giving the display a continuous unbroken appearance.""
So they already thought about it..so i think this is just the beginning

 

[Serban55]

It just makes thing complicated especially for full screen.

Only if Apple add those modes tho...

since this is macOS and not ios, like for the touchbar, i bet there will be third party that will add those..even i am thinking to make if Monday this comes true

 

[HQNYC]

Notch or not, doesn't matter to me. The chip is the reason why I'll upgrade.

I'm not an aesthetic guy. Tech = tool.

 

[mctrials23]

Notch or not, doesn't matter to me. The chip is the reason why I'll upgrade.

I'm not an aesthetic guy. Tech = tool.

Same here. The touchbar doesn't and didn't bother me and if they do this it won't bother me. Most of the time my mac is hooked up to a couple of screens anyway so I wouldn't see it. I want the new machines for the power they will offer.

 

[Falhófnir]

Maximum display area with minimal footprint is ideal, and this is how they achieve it with current tech. Looks ideal within reasonable current expectations to me.

 

[Krevnik]

Notch or not, doesn't matter to me. The chip is the reason why I'll upgrade.

I'm not an aesthetic guy. Tech = tool.

If the notch means a little extra height for my documents, I’ll take it though. More lines of code on screen without shrinking the font is useful to me.

 

[darngooddesign]

I love how none of the mockups show the 14" screen at its default larger magnification, an app with a long menu bar like Photoshop, and a couple of extra icons like iStat Menus; always just minimal stock information on a larger 16" screen which minimizes the problem.

 

[jz0309]

It won't happen.
Many programs have a menubar with dropdown lists across the entire width.
I can't imagine apple being this stupid...

//bezels are a good thing, for contrast and practical opening and closing your screen without smudges.

No smudges on my screen nor on the bezels here

 

[tomO2013]

Personally I’m ok with a notch - I’d be even happier if it included Face ID. Acknowledging that during the pandemic Touch ID is a more practical option when out in a public place for phones etc…
Still the pandemic won’t last forever and for my use cases, I’d actually prefer to have a better front facing camera with a notch than no notch at all.
The practical benefits of instant sign in with Face ID is something that I feel provides a (small) but great user experience. Give me front facing 1080p or higher and I’m a happy camper when talking with family, friends or work colleagues.
Does that make me team notch!?

 

[Realityck]

It won't happen.
Many programs have a menubar with dropdown lists across the entire width.
I can't imagine apple being this stupid...

//bezels are a good thing, for contrast and practical opening and closing your screen without smudges.

Also prevents display damage from impacts on the side of chassis.

 

[senttoschool]

I love how none of the mockups show the 14" screen at its default larger magnification, an app with a long menu bar like Photoshop, and a couple of extra icons like iStat Menus; always just minimal stock information on a larger 16" screen which minimizes the problem.

The menus would just be on the right side of the notch. If you have many icons on the right side, then those will just be hidden. It does that now.