iMac Design Implications

Well I think we've all seen the shiny new iMac by now, what with the black apple logo and a very nice screen (like Intel's concept laptop, oddly enough).

My question is simple: is this design going to filter down?

Personally I think it would fantastic for the MacBook Pro (and some kind of ultraportable, perhaps? .

Certainly I like the black apple logo, I love the screen (glossy or matte, I just like the black border style), I think the contrast between the black back and silver front is nice, I personally enjoy typing on the chicklet keyboards I've tried (once I get used to them, but they're still not quite as nice as my 12" PB keyboard), and so forth. In short I love the new iMac design.

So, who thinks the next MacBook Pro update inherits most if not all of these features?

And Apple will never produce a phone.

Actually you're right, Apple will never bring back the 12" because it was a mini cousin of the Pro line not much faster then the iBooks. A proper subnotebook is a different story. I'n not saying they will, just that it's a big hole in their line-up and their laptop sales are going up fast enough to allow for a more expansive selection of computers (arguably a 15" MacBook, and an 11" MacBook nano).


As Ireland says a unified design language would be very interesting. Notably the iMac has always represented the consumer section, and this update dumps their consumer styling. Likewise it now makes their Pro styling look outdated. Apple could: unify their computer design language along the iMac's lines and toss the difference between pro/non-pro. Use the iMac's language for MacBooks, and establish a new Pro language. Use the iMac's language for MacBook Pro's, and establish a new consumer language. Those, as I see it, are their main options in computer design going forward.


So what if they do actually unify their language? Offer a MacBook at 11" (subnotebook), 13" (current MacBook), 15" and 17" (current MacBook Pro). As it is the differences between the regular and Pro models are pretty darn slim at this point (GPU, mainly) so why not just offer a models a base model that can be specced upwards?

Perhaps, because of the GPU, a base model and top-end model at each size (perhaps tag the 13", 15", 17" top-end models with the Pro tag, and give the 11" model a Nano tag or something). Top-end model gets the niceties (keyboard lighting) and the features (top-end CPU/GPU) and the base model doesn't have that. Both models can be BTO'd upwards or downwards in RAM/HDD but if you want to switch GPUs or CPUs you're automatically upgraded/downgraded to the relevant model.

The subnotebook would likely be the least configurable and perhaps the 17" model would lack a low-end version. That way stores get two SKUs for 13" and 15", and one SKU for 11" and 17" (6 SKUs in total, compared against 6 SKUs now if you go by the Apple Store online).

No additional shipping complexity in return for a laptop line that adds non-Pro 15" model and an 11" subnotebook, and unifies Apple's design language going forward.

Your brain processes perceived just as well as reality. It may be an illusion to some kind of objective sensor, but to your eye there is real benefit.


I think it would have looked better had the bezel extended all the way to the edge; that is with no aluminium border at all. I do, however, still like the look a great deal. Perhaps, for a laptop, just make the entire thing flat black (i.e. the iMac's backside look) with a glowing black or white Apple logo on the back. I, personally, would love glowing orange keys but I imagine Apple would go with glowing white keys.

As for those objecting to glass on a laptop, the Intel concept I referenced uses glass (at least according to Business Week, slide four). If they can do it, Apple should be able to do it.