| > you're bound to end up with something flat and uninteresting That's the ideal: a computer that gets out of the way. They've been wanting that since long before Steve died, too. Hence the iPad, literally just a screen. Or last year's iPad Pro, where they took the bezel away and there's even less screen, same for the MacBooks. The iMac must be the poster child: literally just a screen. The less device you see, and the more content (ergo screen), the better. > The plastic designs were much more friendly, imho But plastic also chips and breaks. Of all the plastic MacBooks I had, none of them finished life without a few chips of plastic missing. The plastic also didn't vent the computers' heat very well. I agree that the sharp edges aren't fantastic but, strictly speaking, you're supposed to keep your wrists raised above the keyboard to avoid developing RSI so the edges shouldn't come into it anyway. I miss the PowerBook G4 design. That was aluminium but had round edges. That design but with modern thinness, that would be nice to have back. |
Yeah, but what's Ive's role here? Isn't the miniaturization more due to electrical engineering efforts (placement/routing/PCB design), than to visual design efforts (making it look thinner than it actually is)?
> But plastic also chips and breaks.
Yes, and I think it gives a device more identity and character :)
> The plastic also didn't vent the computers' heat very well.
True! But Apple is known for their obsession of "form over function", so this is a curious aspect that goes against their principle.
> the edges shouldn't come into it anyway
Yes, that's a good point. But you can't always prevent that e.g. when traveling, or lying down, which is what laptops are made for.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my view because I don't understand what all the fuss is about. I liked Apple in the days of the Apple ][, but I absolutely despise their walled garden, and their assimilation of the supply chain. Design is absolutely secondary to all that.