Why have Apple ruined the MacBook Air design?

[darngooddesign]

Does it have to be so thin? How many features and how much performance was left behind for the "wow" factor? We will never know.

If the benchmarks are the same as the Mini and 13” MBP, performance wasn’t compromised.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

I agree with two critiques but the NatGeos are of the '20s. They belong to the '20s.

Well that's the problem then - that sentence only works if you were talking about just one year, 1920, possessing the Geographics. If that's what you meant, then the sentence should have been "... one of my 1920 National Geographics..." or maybe "... one of 1920's National Geographics... " which is clunkier, but if it's for the whole decade, that's different.

A decade (1920s) is already a plural noun, so it should be 1920s' when speaking of a thing that the entire decade possesses.

And so my wish to not be pedantic goes out the window. I hate when that happens.

 

[MrCheeto]

And so my wish to not be pedantic goes out the window. I hate when that happens.

Just appreciate that I screw this up without compensation. The urinalists get paid quite comfortably to be bad at their job.

Seeing their errors is like seeing photographers make money if their finger covered part of the shutter in every shot. 🤮 Shameful.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Just appreciate that I screw this up without compensation. The urinalists get paid quite comfortably to be bad at their job.

Seeing their errors is like seeing photographers make money if their finger covered part of the shutter in every shot. 🤮 Shameful.

Agreed. We are all doing extensive pro bono screwups here. And though that bit about bad photographers hit home, I'm trying to not take it personally 😉

 

[brandoman]

Gee if only there was an option to fix that

Oh wait there is: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/28/scale-to-fit-below-built-in-camera-setting-notch/

Clearly, you don't use the menubar enough. Or maybe you don't like your screen size?

 

[Enzo Morocioli]

I've had the MBA since August. I love the design. Easy to hold, no matter which side you grip it when pulling it out of a bag. The TouchID button blends right in. And the notch? 99.99% don't even notice it in real world usage. I use this machine for university level teaching every day, it is the end-all-be-all of work computers. I just chuck it into a shoulder bag in the morning, really light to carry, battery runs all day, absolutely silent running. I have the space grey color scheme, no visible fingerprints at all. This thing is a beast.

 

[darngooddesign]

If you don’t like the notch, Lunar Pro let’s you move everything down without changing the width.

 

[Ifti]

I like my M2 MacBook Air and use it all the time.
And you know what, that's all I care about!

 

[erkanasu]

I went thorough the same emotions… eventually you stop grieving, accept the utility design, and then you’ll find that the screen is much better and worth the loss of wedge.

 

[USB-Adapter]

I like the design of the M2 Air.
If it could support 2 external monitors and up to 32 GB RAM, I would buy it immediately.
Face ID would be nice, too.

 

[jknorwood]

I love the new MBA and the new design, I had the previous design too - just got the M2 recently and love it.

I use my mac to get work done, not to pick up chicks.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I looked at the new M2 MacBook Air in an Apple Store recently and came away thinking how thankful I was for going ahead with my purchase of the previous wedge-shaped MacBook Air. I was hoping the new MBA would look better in reality than the photos and videos I'd seen online, but it actually looked worse. The flat design is boring and already looks outdated, it was covered in smudges and fingerprints, and the notch and Touch ID button on the keyboard both stick out like a sore thumb. It just lacks that sleek perfection that the previous MBA design had, which actually looks more futuristic now than the new M2 MBA. I just don't understand why Apple is doing this, taking big backward steps with the look and feel of their products. They've already done this with the new iMac, and MacBook Pro, and now the new MacBook Air. Moreover, the new Apple Watch Ultra is the ugliest device they've created in years. Why are they doing this? The reason I loved Apple products in the first place was the sleek minimalism and beautiful aesthetics of their products but they are slowly eroding that approach to design. Is it because Jony Ive has left?

And I hated the wedge shape. *shrug* Can't please all the people all the time I guess.

Why is Apple doing this? Because a flatter Mac Book, event he Air, is keeping with their current available models. And remember the earlier trackpad? It too, as I remember, was more 'wedge' shaped.

Wedge shaped devices are harder to pack, potentially more fragile, and probably other reasons. I don't know, find a used wedge? Maybe try to upgrade the processor? It's all I got, sorry...

 

[macsound1]

I like the design of the M2 Air.
If it could support 2 external monitors and up to 32 GB RAM, I would buy it immediately.
Face ID would be nice, too.

Even the M2 can’t support 2 external displays?!
I was really hoping the M2 MBA guts would end up in the iMac but that’s only because I thought they could support 2 external displays. 🤷

 

[macsound1]

The only thing truly baffling to me about the M2 MacBook Air is that it has no branding whatsoever.
No bottom embossed insignia and nothing under the display.
So weird.
As an Apple nerd but also as a consumer who’s like “what the hell machine am I holding”

 

[Tagbert]

Wrong. There is a reason the new M2 Air is the worst selling Apple product in 25 years. As the OP already suggested, outdated design in comparison to the wedge, cheaper build quality and the M1 Air is as powerful if not more powerful than the M2 in most common circumstances, and over half the price cheaper. There is also a reason why the midnight colour has only sold 26,000 units globally since the M2 air was released in comparison to the M1 Air which has sold in its millions form day one

Sorry, we didn’t realize that you are the head of Apple’s fulfillment team and can bring us such detailed and accurate numbers. We stand chastened by your illumination. /s

 

[Tagbert]

I wonder if Apple moved away from the wedge because its limited internal space isn't up to cooling the future M chips without a fan.

Also, the wedge is an inefficient use of space. So much of the case is thin enough to compromise the space for internal components.

 

[transpo1]

I wonder if Apple moved away from the wedge because its limited internal space isn't up to cooling the future M chips without a fan.

Yep— that would be why.

 

[ogawa]

The only thing truly baffling to me about the M2 MacBook Air is that it has no branding whatsoever.
No bottom embossed insignia and nothing under the display.
So weird.
As an Apple nerd but also as a consumer who’s like “what the hell machine am I holding”

Have to say I find it refreshing that they the omitted the typical insignia on the M2A. The branding is not necessary. The design speaks for itself, and for something I look at everyday, I don't constantly need a reminder of what brand/model the device is. I like how they've reduced this on the iMac's and studio display etc as well. Apple is meant to be all about simplicity, these feel like steps in that direction.

 

[1BadManVan]

Sorry, we didn’t realize that you are the head of Apple’s fulfillment team and can bring us such detailed and accurate numbers. We stand chastened by your illumination. /s

the fact he says the m1 outperforms in shows hes clueless anyways.

 

[colt033]

The problem with this thread is everything you're saying is just subjective.
You're entitled to have an opinion, but be aware that's just what it is: an opinion.
Just because you don't like the current offerings doesn't make them objectively bad or 'ruined'.
Not sure if IRL you're used to your opinions being unquestioned by your peers and taken as facts, but considering how you've voiced them here, quite probably you are.
You might find internet-land to be a bit of a culture shock.

The internet is full of condescending people, it seems.

 

[aevan]

They look outdated and anachronistic with that bulky, boxy design. The new MBP looks similar to my ancient Macbook Pro from 2006 and the colour options on the boring new iMacs are just silly. Go into any Apple Store or reseller and they just look out of place.

To me, M2 MBA looks more modern and is beautiful. MBP looks like my 2013 MBP on first glance, yes, but on closer inspection it’s more refined and does look modern and reassuring. It’s also beautiful.

I guess you just have different tastes, but I love the direction Apple is taking with Macs.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Clearly, you don't use the menubar enough. Or maybe you don't like your screen size?

I have a 14 inch Macbook Pro with the menu bar permanently available even in fullscreen thanks to that notch. I have never had an issue with menu bars not fitting. Haven't even needed to turn Scale to Fit on. It's a nonissue memoji pfp. I've heard this argument time and time again with the iPhone and on the Mac it's even less of an issue since there's options around it.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

I looked at the new M2 MacBook Air in an Apple Store recently and came away thinking how thankful I was for going ahead with my purchase of the previous wedge-shaped MacBook Air. I was hoping the new MBA would look better in reality than the photos and videos I'd seen online, but it actually looked worse. The flat design is boring and already looks outdated, it was covered in smudges and fingerprints, and the notch and Touch ID button on the keyboard both stick out like a sore thumb. It just lacks that sleek perfection that the previous MBA design had, which actually looks more futuristic now than the new M2 MBA. I just don't understand why Apple is doing this, taking big backward steps with the look and feel of their products. They've already done this with the new iMac, and MacBook Pro, and now the new MacBook Air. Moreover, the new Apple Watch Ultra is the ugliest device they've created in years. Why are they doing this? The reason I loved Apple products in the first place was the sleek minimalism and beautiful aesthetics of their products but they are slowly eroding that approach to design. Is it because Jony Ive has left?

I love the design but think the internals are laughable when considering the name and price of the product.

And I actually would have gotten it even if I didn’t like the design if only the value/$ wasn’t as embarrassing as it is by comparison to the M1 Air and 14-16” Pros.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Wrong. There is a reason the new M2 Air is the worst selling Apple product in 25 years.

[Citation needed]

 

[RSB96]

Well, I think the current designs are quite good.

In Macs, both the new MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air M2, as well as the iMac M1 have very recognizable designs, with straight, industrial and strong lines.

The iPads, from 2018 to the present have maintained the design, it is time that in the Pro they are given a twist, less frames, Dynamic Island, or something that gives them something "new" and differential from the Air and standard range.

I find the iPhones impressive with the straight edges and the Dynamic Island seems to me a very original and well implemented idea.

The Apple Watch Ultra live wins a lot, it is not tacky to be a sports watch, but if it changes enough to not be more of the same. The Series 9 range should change its design, since despite being an iconic and recognizable device, it is a bit boring to see "more of the same" on the wrist.

Overall I like the industrial, straight-edged design line better than the 2016, first generation iPhone 7/MacBook Pro 2016/iPad Pro 12.9" with rounded edges.