Apple executives detail 24-inch iMac design, features in new interview
A pair of Apple executives talk Apple's new 24-inch iMac, its design elements, and the inclusion of the M1 chip in a recent podcast interview.
Credit: Apple
Apple worldwide senior produce marketing manager Colleen Novielli and engineering program manager Navpreet Kaloty recently appeared on Relay FM's "Upgrade" podcast to speak about the new M1 iMac refresh ahead of preorders opening on Friday.
On the fact that the iMacs now come in a bevy of bright new shades, Novielli explained that the colors "are designed to bring a sense of brightness, optimism, and joy." She added that "I think we can all agree that's something everyone needs at the moment."
The Apple Mac product manager also touched on the design elements of the 24-inch iMac, including the controversial chin and bezels on the front side of the device.
"The borders are meant to complement the typical home design, for one, and blend into the background. The light gray borders are awesome. The lack of the stark contrast provides a more seamless experience for the user," Novielli said.
As for the chin, Novielli explains that Apple was able to fit the iMac's internal components within that space. She says the chin makes the iMac's color "shine," while also allowing Apple to reduce the device's thickness by a significant amount.
When asked about whether Apple would sell the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID separately, Novielli declined to comment. However, she added that the keyboard would work with any M1-equipped Mac.
On the overall design, hardware manager Kaloty said that the inclusion of the Apple Silicon chip affected every aspect of the new iMac's design. That includes the I/O on the rear of the device, which now exclusively consists of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports.
The full interview contains other tidbits about the iMac's design and features, and is available to listen on Relay FM.
Credit: Apple
Apple worldwide senior produce marketing manager Colleen Novielli and engineering program manager Navpreet Kaloty recently appeared on Relay FM's "Upgrade" podcast to speak about the new M1 iMac refresh ahead of preorders opening on Friday.
On the fact that the iMacs now come in a bevy of bright new shades, Novielli explained that the colors "are designed to bring a sense of brightness, optimism, and joy." She added that "I think we can all agree that's something everyone needs at the moment."
The Apple Mac product manager also touched on the design elements of the 24-inch iMac, including the controversial chin and bezels on the front side of the device.
"The borders are meant to complement the typical home design, for one, and blend into the background. The light gray borders are awesome. The lack of the stark contrast provides a more seamless experience for the user," Novielli said.
As for the chin, Novielli explains that Apple was able to fit the iMac's internal components within that space. She says the chin makes the iMac's color "shine," while also allowing Apple to reduce the device's thickness by a significant amount.
When asked about whether Apple would sell the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID separately, Novielli declined to comment. However, she added that the keyboard would work with any M1-equipped Mac.
On the overall design, hardware manager Kaloty said that the inclusion of the Apple Silicon chip affected every aspect of the new iMac's design. That includes the I/O on the rear of the device, which now exclusively consists of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports.
The full interview contains other tidbits about the iMac's design and features, and is available to listen on Relay FM.
Comments
Worldwide Senior Product Marketing Manager
My gripe is no OPTION for dark colors. I get the complimented a bright home but what if you want one in a dark studio?
Dark options should have reversed the front and back colors. Someone made a model of this and it looked good.
I am too also betting Apple is saving dark colors for more “serious” and pro models.
....or maybe I should chop 2" off my working desk legs...
I agree professionals in studios will prefer black borders. Fingers crossed for 32”.
I wished the colours were not as insipid on the chin and stand, the colours back and sides look great but would hardly ever get seen in my scenario; the front should have been the priority for colour. Imho.
Maybe they’re hoping the “grey” border will make the insufficient dark of the onscreen blacks look darker when surrounded by a light border.
I think it looks stupid. As others said above, cute colors that can only be seen from the back of the machine make absolutely no sense. Most people have the back of their machines facing walls. Because it’s the BACK.
This is like the nonsense of “beautiful design” on iPhones that are so thin and slippery that the “beautiful design” needs to be completely hidden by a case that makes it thicker (easier on the palm) and far less slippery. Just yesterday I removed my iPhone 6s from
its case to do a regular cleaning and almost dropped it (which doesn’t happen with the silicone case on).
These iMacs won’t be in cases, but they are stupidly thin, and their “beautiful design” elements will be facing walls and corners and almost never be seen (but the odd grey border will be in your face!). So why do it? Because it looks good in advertising?
Nonsensical design still lives on at Apple, even without Jonathan Ive.
As for the “chin”, I don’t care. You still need a place to put the actual electronics and heat dissipation, which is already insufficient.
Besides, all will be forgiven when the 27" 32" iMacs are revealed. I'd bet good money they will look a helluva lot less like the 24" and a whole lot more like the XDR.
As the article clearly states, the borders aren't white, they're light grey. None of us have actually seen them yet, but I'm reasonably sure that black would be a jarring contrast against the unsaturated colors of the chin. It would be appropriate to consider that Apple does think about this stuff, and that they're pretty good at that.
But few remember this
or this
They're all iMacs.