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The notch is already seamless with menu bar and never interrupt your content but for that design the notch will surely interrupt the menu bar and not seamless at all.
Doesn’t look too seamless with the menu bar sticking out past the notch. I understand maybe there’s some hardware limitation as to why this is but i still argue that being flush with the notch is the better design.
 
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Some phone manufacturers make it so that there is no notch whatsoever. They have a circular hole where the front camera goes. I wonder why Apple didn't go for a similar approach.

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Because the camera module in these macbooks is much larger than that. It as the camera, a light sensor and another sensor and some mounting brackets. There isn’t as much thickness inside a laptop lid as there is in a phone. It just takes too much space.

Eventually, if they can get under screen cameras working better, I’m sure that Apple will try to get rid of the notch. For now, it is a reasonable compromize that gives us a better camera and a little more screen space with very little downside.

 
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The body design seems to be inspired by the plastic unibody Macbook from 2009. Seems someone in Apple's design department is on a retro trip. First the iPhone 12 brought back iPhone 5 design cues, now this. I like it. ;) Will probably not buy one of the new Macbooks soon (because I need to be able to run Linux x86 VMs for my work), but glad to see a bit of consideration of function over form.

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This whole notch/oberall design thing has clearly showed the divide between those who just want a pretty laptop that will look good at Starbucks and those who are buying these to get real work done and make money using them.

Very much so; Unfortunately both camps are forced into the same space.

In one corner, those that need serious computer and graphical horsepower that can handle sustained loads and pack a suitable amount of RAM.

In the other corner, those that are not power users but are on board because of the better general performance, screen size, pro-motion, etc.

Personally, I feel its only recently that a non MacBook Pro Apple laptop has had acceptable performance that I'd actually want it for a daily driver (See the Air)...and I use a Mac Pro for all my heavy lifting and content creation. When the new 14'' airs come out we'll hopefully have more happy campers.
 
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This whole notch/oberall design thing has clearly showed the divide between those who just want a pretty laptop that will look good at Starbucks and those who are buying these to get real work done and make money using them.
Those should know better from experience with MacBook Pro post 2016. It's an absurd philosophy to want a case that will hold the CPU back in a professional machine.
 
Ok I think being a m1 air and 2019 16in MacBook I think I found my middle of the road laptop. I just want to buy it after Thanksgiving to take advantage of the extended return period. Gotta sell my mint 16in MacBook :)
 
I love the design, in-spite the greater body depth and notch. It reminds me of the MacBooks prior to 2016.

Now that we have a very retro design, let’s bring back the 17” & the glowing Apple.
 
Because the camera module in these macbooks is much larger than that. It as the camera, a light sensor and another sensor and some mounting brackets. There isn’t as much thickness inside a laptop lid as there is in a phone. It just takes too much space.

Eventually, if they can get under screen cameras working better, I’m sure that Apple will try to get rid of the notch. For now, it is a reasonable compromize that gives us a better camera and a little more screen space with very little downside.
I wonder if it's also to do with FaceID? Are they preparing for FaceID in the coming iterations and wanted to standardise the notch now? It does seem rather big for what it houses. Is FaceID coming to the Mac though? I'd certainly want both FaceID and TouchID and not just FaceID. If I had to choose, I'd go TouchID on the mac.
 
Not needing this extra power I’ll stick with the MBA, as the thinner lighter chassis is much more conducive to international travel. But I am happy to see Apple bring back the ports and ditch that god forsaken Touch Bar.
My only niggle is why have a notch if you’re not going to include FaceID? Such a weird design choice.
 
Not needing this extra power I’ll stick with the MBA, as the thinner lighter chassis is much more conducive to international travel. But I am happy to see Apple bring back the ports and ditch that god forsaken Touch Bar.
My only niggle is why have a notch if you’re not going to include FaceID? Such a weird design choice.
I agree when I saw the notch I thought Face ID was feature, and it would be awesome on a laptop more so than even an iPad.Open screen, authenticate. Walk away from screen activate security lock.
 
the flat design of the display is excellent, definitely similar to the PowerBook g4 models and similar to the iPad Pro back. and with the display lid closed the side profile also looks like an iPad Pro with the camera bump

this model is excellent, it’s shape definitely feels more utility rather than being the thinnest thing they could make, this has more character and seems that it was actually thought through though not a perfect design its good direction. The notch is yet to be determined it is annoying with the slightly leaking menu bar underneath.
 
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Design wise it's retro for sure. The way I see it, Apple stuff has been so consistently awesome over the years...

Take your pick.
 
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