Jony Ive Was Involved in the New M1 iMac Design, Despite Leaving Apple in 2019

[farewelwilliams]

I retire what I said about Ive recently, Ive definitely lost his touch and I'd like new talent to take over please.

This new iMac joins the Apple-WTF™ hall of fame.

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Magic Mouse 2 and iPad + pencil 1st gen made sense. Prove me wrong.

 

[JKAussieSkater]

This explains why the Magic Mouse’s lightning port remains underneath the mouse. 😩

 

[Dremmel]

The dude is a heavyweight designer genius. End of.

 

[DiamondarBoss]

So THAT‘S why it’s so thin. It’s all coming together now.

 

[Mac_tech]

Is that why it still has the massive chin? Or why it's thin to the point of being impractical, while still coming on a stand that only has tilt adjust?

The chin houses the entire computer, logic board.

 

[chucker23n1]

The chin houses the entire computer, logic board.

Yes, but if Apple wanted to, they could make the computer thicker (but shorter) and put the computer behind the screen.

The chin is a design choice.

(And I think it's the correct one. You don't want an iMac to look like just a screen.)

 

[Mac_tech]

Yes, but if Apple wanted to, they could make the computer thicker (but shorter) and put the computer behind the screen.

The chin is a design choice.

(And I think it's the correct one. You don't want an iMac to look like just a screen.)

True, see image from iFixit. I get what you mean.

 

[Royksöpp]

Yes, but if Apple wanted to, they could make the computer thicker (but shorter) and put the computer behind the screen.

The chin is a design choice.

(And I think it's the correct one. You don't want an iMac to look like just a screen.)

I kind of agree, and I kind of don't. I understand the chin is a continuation of the iMac design, but why not take this as an opportunity to reinvent it? It's not a hideous element, but it is an outdated one. It's time for something truly new.

 

[SuperCachetes]

The problem with apple as it stands right now is they have very few options for people in that target market unless you want to spend as much money on a Mac as a nicely equipped used Honda.

Fair enough. I am not a "Pro" in any sense in the Apple world, though I have probably $15K of software on my Windows laptop for work... which I hate using, by the way.

I don't know how Apple will ever really solve their issues with true professional users. It's a relatively small market, but one that is demanding of innovation and computing firepower... a scenario that requires a ton of R&D for a relatively diminutive market share.

I hope the M* processors create a compelling universe for people who need "the ultimate Macs," but as a shareholder, I understand exactly why they are focusing on the consumer-level stuff first.

 

[Abazigal]

This explains why the Magic Mouse’s lightning port remains underneath the mouse.

At this point, I would rather Apple continue to keep the charging port underneath the mouse just to keep irritating the haters.

 

[Mac_tech]

At this point, I would rather Apple continue to keep the charging port underneath the mouse just to keep irritating the haters.

I wonder why they would make such as poor desigin decision though. I would have put it on the top or bottom so one could use the mouse while its charging but that's me.

 

[chucker23n1]

I kind of agree, and I kind of don't. I understand the chin is a continuation of the iMac design, but why not take this as an opportunity to reinvent it? It's not a hideous element, but it is an outdated one. It's time for something truly new.

I do find it interesting that we had four years with the egg design, two with the lampshade, and then… 17 and counting with the chin.

But I don’t think the lampshade is practical with a screen that big and heavy, and… that doesn’t leave much?

 

[Abazigal]

I wonder why they would make such as poor desigin decision though. I would have put it on the top or bottom so one could use the mouse while its charging but that's me.

Apple often leaves little clues in the design of their products that hint at how the designers envision them being used.

My guess as to the placement of the charge port:

1) Apple doesn’t want the lightning port to mar the unbroken finish of the top of the mouse. It just wants a continuous curve of glass on top. Hence its position at the bottom where it can’t be seen or even felt while in use.

Meanwhile, Apple expects you to charge it so infrequently that it’s a non-issue in the greater scheme of things.

2) Apple doesn’t want people to use their mouse while charging, in keeping with the whole wireless theme.

I am not saying that Apple’s design decisions are the absolute right ones, but it goes to show there is a method to the madness that many people either don’t see, or refuse to acknowledge.

 

[lowkey]

Just make it thin... so thin it's not deep enough for an ethernet port... and anyway, nobody will notice we built a desktop computer needing a power brick...

Apples striving for thin-ness is leading it to numerous advances that trickle across the product range.
A good example is the bass chamber for the woofers on the iMac. I’d be expecting to see that innovation rolled out to the iPad and MacBooks at some stage.

 

[Shirasaki]

Most people hate the new design? I need evidence. All the professional reviews are positive AFAIK.

Dave2D mentions he doesn’t like the chin. Iirc marquee also says he doesn’t like the chin.

 

[Bawstun]

Not at all surprising but why are they sharing this? Are we meant to like them now or something because of this? The design just lacks Apple polish.

Yeah, most of Apple’s recent designs lack polish. The notch has been a lazy and unnecessary money-savings trade-off for far too long and it’s only one such example.

Somewhere along the line Apple realized they can sell mediocre design at their same jacked up premium prices and that mostly nobody will care, so that’s what they’ve done.

 

[Shirasaki]

Form over function is a complete deviation from practicality standpoint. Would anyone want to use a phone that is as thin as paper, but has no battery life, no port, no button, and only screen? There’s a reason why some perceives artists as mad man.

Sure, new iMac looks stunning, but some features would be sacrificed, which in here, luckily none, aside from moving Ethernet port to power adapter. I’d say this Ive touch is ok for my taste. But butterfly keyboard… idk. iPhone 6 for example?

 

[iZac]

I’ve didn’t want the commute and the stress anymore. I’m sure the Apple team still needs and wants a mentor or client-type criticism to to give them a check on whether what they’re doing is good or not. Jobs used to be that sense check for Jonny himself and I believe he brought in Marc Newson to fill that roll.

Now the Apple team probably bring their work to the LoveFrom Studio in San Fran for review every few weeks and Jonny charges a healthy consultancy fee for doing so.

In addition products percolate for probably 4 or 5 years before they release so undoubtedly Jonny had input from its inception.

 

[brofkand]

Fair enough. I am not a "Pro" in any sense in the Apple world, though I have probably $15K of software on my Windows laptop for work... which I hate using, by the way.

I don't know how Apple will ever really solve their issues with true professional users. It's a relatively small market, but one that is demanding of innovation and computing firepower... a scenario that requires a ton of R&D for a relatively diminutive market share.

I hope the M* processors create a compelling universe for people who need "the ultimate Macs," but as a shareholder, I understand exactly why they are focusing on the consumer-level stuff first.

It mirrors how they migrated from PPC to Intel as well, although Apple did release the 15" MacBook Pro earlier than I expected - probably because people were so sick of the PowerBook being stuck on the G4.

 

[JohnnieBBadde]

Industrial design experts disagree. The Museum of Modern Art disagrees. Millions of happy Mac and iPhone users disagree.

Trying to make devices thinner doesn’t “inevitably” lead to bad design. It pushes the envelope forward. If we were all happy with mainframes, why make personal computers? Why make laptops? If they didn’t miniaturize, we never would have iPhones or any small electronics for that matter.

A couple of class-action lawsuits every few years and Apple's "need" to only cover their own products for 12 months of warranty without you having to pay extra disagree - now what? I consider these devices to be tools that are to be used and not something to only put in a cabinet to just look pretty.

I'm not talking about general improvements in technology and miniaturization but if your product's features are so fragile that they tend to kill themselves within a period of 5 years without accidental damage then you are not prototyping correctly or just accept that you are f'ing over your customer.

And yes I am also an Apple customer with a wide array of their past and current products this is why I'm upset about the chiasmus between the way they present their products and reality.

 

[hot-gril]

i honestly don't understand the thought process here. they had a choice between slightly thicker screen with no chin or a thinner screen with a chin. when using the computer, you will always see the chin while the only time you will notice the thickness if you are walking from the side.

When using the computer, you aren't focusing on anything but the screen. Also, the iMac has always had a chin since G5, but I don't know why they ditched the front Apple logo in this design.

 

[hot-gril]

A couple of class-action lawsuits every few years and Apple's "need" to only cover their own products for 12 months of warranty without you having to pay extra disagree - now what? I consider these devices to be tools that are to be used and not something to only put in a cabinet to just look pretty.

I'm not talking about general improvements in technology and miniaturization but if your product's features are so fragile that they tend to kill themselves within a period of 5 years without accidental damage then you are not prototyping correctly or just accept that you are ***** over your customer.

And yes I am also an Apple customer with a wide array of their past and current products this is why I'm upset about the chiasmus between the way they present their products and reality.

What are you doing to your devices that are making them break? I had the thinnest and most fragile iPhone ever created, the 6, and it only died when I deliberately folded it in half.

 

[SuperMatt]

A couple of class-action lawsuits every few years and Apple's "need" to only cover their own products for 12 months of warranty without you having to pay extra disagree - now what? I consider these devices to be tools that are to be used and not something to only put in a cabinet to just look pretty.

I'm not talking about general improvements in technology and miniaturization but if your product's features are so fragile that they tend kill themselves within a period of 5 years without accidental damage then you are not prototyping correctly or just accept that you are ***** over your customer.

And yes I am also an Apple customer with a wide array of their past and current products this is why I'm upset about the chiasmus between the way they present their products and reality.

Lawyers bring class-action suits against the companies with the deepest pockets. That has nothing to do with problems with Apple products… rather opportunistic lawyers.

As for the looks, Apple devices look great AND are extremely useful. The form is the function.

Apple products do not kill themselves after 5 years. My 2001 iPod still works. My 2006 Mac Pro still works. They last longer than any competing computer brand I know of. Consumer Reports studies bear this out.

The reality: they are the best phone and computer maker on the planet. Their quality is top-notch and the design is attractive and iconic.

 

[hot-gril]

Seriously Ive, your time could have been MUCH better spent RE-designing the front-end of BMW's new M3 sedan !

Seems every luxury German carmaker has given up on making cool cars. I used to think, I'd want a Tesla if it weren't so mediocre in appearance, but now it's well above average.

 

[JohnnieBBadde]

What are you doing to your devices that are making them break? I had the thinnest and most fragile iPhone ever created, the 6, and it only died when I deliberately folded it in half.

By your username I assume that you're rather new to the Apple ecosystem, that's okay - just browse a bit through the MacRumors archieves and get an idea about chips desoldering themselves, screen coatings trying to get away, keyboard switches locked by tiny dust particles, subpar battery quality control, chips just coming off of a PCB due to a chassis not being rigid enough, just to name a few.