Defending the new iMac design

[Pilot Jones]

So then you'd have to conclude that Apple is stupid for releasing these iMacs. I don't think they're stupid; I think you're projecting your evaluation of the bezel to more people than is warranted. I'd wager the average non-Apple-forum type consumer walking into the Apple store and seeing these isn't even going to give the bezel a passing thought.

I'm not projecting my own evaluation over anyone. I don't need to. The endless sea of laptops, desktops, phones, tablets and other various personal computing devices (including non-Apple ones) that have black bezels as the standard (and almost always, only) configuration is proof enough.

I'm just gonna summarize what I said earlier by repeating one point:

Do you think we would even be having this conversation in the inverse situation, if the new iMacs bezels were black?

The fact that this even is a talking point means that it is a polarizing design choice for enough people to warrant this very discussion we're having right now.

 

[Serban55]

Some people like Dark Mode. The new bezel is a step backward for us.

Same for the light mode... come on, you guys , are we children to discuss white or black or yellow or etc borders on a colorful imac ?!
The display quality its important and not the border color, jesus ))
This is a fun topic
There is no standard or something wrong with either black or white
The standards in everything is done by the people and producers.if the imac is the first from a lot of new upcoming white borders laptops/devices..that will be the next standard..iphone 4, ipad , imacs with white borders were a thing years ago.
Whats next? Discuss about a black car or an white one? at least there are some advantages to chose one instead of the other

 

[usagora]

I'm not projecting my own evaluation over anyone. I don't need to. The endless sea of laptops, desktops, phones and tablets and other various personal computing devices (including non-Apple ones) that have black bezels as the standard (and almost always, only) configuration is proof enough.

I'm just gonna summarize what I said earlier by repeating one point:

Do you think we would even be having this conversation in the inverse situation, if the new iMacs bezels were black?

The fact that this even is a talking point means that it is a polarizing design choice for enough people to warrant this very discussion we're having right now.

So, like I said, you'd have to conclude Apple is stupid for committing to a design that "most people" don't "prefer" and find "uncomfortable" (your words from post 15). Since it's obvious that Apple is not stupid, simple deduction should lead you to realize that your evaluation of the bezel situation is wrong. Speaking of logic, just because most manufacturers do something a certain way doesn't mean there was specifically a public demand for it.

As for your question ("Do you think we would even be having this conversation in the inverse situation, if the new iMacs bezels were black?"), my answer is no. Why? Because the "nitpickers" (again, your own words) would be satisfied and the majority of consumers would continue to not care what the bezel color was.

Just because some members of an Apple forum get hyped up about the bezels doesn't mean it's a major issue to the rest of the world outside the forums.

And just to be clear, I have nothing against people feeling strongly about this, but I DO have an issue with people trying to make it sound like "most" people share their feelings when it's simply not true.

 

[Serban55]

People can adapt to anything
Its a power of human being
The white borders are not so popular for a long time and thats why people are talking about it..after 1-2 years with this on the market, people will ignore it for sure and adapt

 

[bluespark]

I love the new design -- it's a home run for me. I obviously can't speak for others, but I'm more likely to buy this iMac (in fact, more than one) than I would be to buy one with black bezels or more subdued colors. But for those who feel differently (or, in my case, when I'm ready to upgrade the larger iMac I use professionally), Apple isn't closing up shop just yet. We'll certainly see a replacement for the 27" iMac at some point, and we'll likely get darker color variants for the 24" iMac when the time is right (probably this fall or winter, if I had to guess). Not everything has to be for every person.

 

[Pilot Jones]

So, like I said, you'd have to conclude Apple is stupid for committing to a design that "most people" don't "prefer" and find "uncomfortable" (your words from post 15). Since it's obvious that Apple is not stupid, simple deduction should lead you to realize that your evaluation of the bezel situation is wrong. Speaking of logic, just because most manufacturers do something a certain way doesn't mean there was specifically a public demand for it.

As for your question ("Do you think we would even be having this conversation in the inverse situation, if the new iMacs bezels were black?"), my answer is no. Why? Because the "nitpickers" (again, your own words) would be satisfied and the majority of consumers would continue to not care what the bezel color was.

Just because some members of an Apple forum get hyped up about the bezels doesn't mean it's a major issue to the rest of the world outside the forums.

And just to be clear, I have nothing against people feeling strongly about this, but I DO have an issue with people trying to make it sound like "most" people share their feelings when it's simply not true.

Apple is not infallible. It's run by human beings like you and I. They've made some bad decisions here and there in the last few years.

Do I think Apple is stupid? No of course not. Do i think this specific design decision is stupid? Absolutely.

Are we just throwing basic economics and market behavior out the window now? If you want to talk about "simple deduction" and "logic", why would you just waive the fact that despite the existence of alternatives, black bezels have evolved to undoubtably become the norm across computing devices worldwide for a reason?

You may think something like is insignificant to a consumer, but why we're not talking about "most manufacturers"...we're talking about all the manufacturers across all kinds of devices, including Apple, right up till the release of this specific computer. The existence of this kind of a pervasive industry standard isn't a simple coincidence.

This isn't a nascent industry like AR. These design decisions have been established over decades at this point and exist for very valid reasons. Just because a decision is contrarian doesn't make it a good one.

I called myself a "nitpicker" because I feel stupid arguing about something so specific yet relatively insignificant in my life on an online forum. That doesn't mean i think this decision is any less ridiculous.

Good design is not meant to shove itself in your face. It is supposed to be unobtrusive. This is not my personal point of view, this is literally one of Dieter Rams' 10 Principles of Good Design, something that Jony Ive has admitted to following religiously over the course of his entire career. And we all can agree that Jony Ive is most definitely not stupid.

We can keep going back and forth, but the fact that the White Bezels are being pointed out again and again, by multiple people means that it is making itself apparent at the cost of the seamlessness of the experience. Just because it's being done by enthusiasts on an Apple forum doesn't reduce the validity of the perspective.

The "average consumer" may not consciously sit and discuss the bezels like you and I, but you're kidding yourself if you actually think that this computer's white bezels are not going to be something they specifically notice & give at least a quick thought before making a purchase.

 

[Ap0ks]

Apple is not infallible. It's run by human beings like you and I. They've made some bad decisions here and there in the last few years.

Do I think Apple is stupid? No of course not. Do i think this specific design decision is stupid? Absolutely.

Are we just throwing basic economics and market behavior out the window now? If you want to talk about "simple deduction" and "logic", why would you just waive the fact that despite the existence of alternatives, black bezels have evolved to undoubtably become the norm across computing devices worldwide for a reason?

Because everybody is used to black bezels nobody should ever try anything different, sounds boring to me...

Also I’m sure if the new iMacs had black bezels there would be talk of them, black would stick out like a sore thumb in the design they’ve gone for.

 

[Mr. Warbles]

I warned everyone last year who thought it was dumb to buy the last 27” iMac to wait until after the first Gen of new iMacs to buy an Apple Silicon. So many on here were acting like Apple was going to get it perfect right out of the gate. They will refine this machine and soon it will be better than any intel system but it’s not there yet.

I’m so glad I got the last intel 27”, now I can wait a few generations until they really perfect this design. Gen 1 buyers are always the guinea pigs.

That being said these are consumer level computers for kids/families and such...regular everyday use. I think the next “pro” designed iMacs will be cool and the 2nd Gen of those pro designs will be amazing!

 

[Pilot Jones]

Because everybody is used to black bezels nobody should ever try anything different, sounds boring to me...

Also I’m sure if the new iMacs had black bezels there would be talk of them, black would stick out like a sore thumb in the design they’ve gone for.

"Boring" doesn't enter the equation. This is not a simple aesthetic choice to be made just because it looks better or not. The most important consideration for a screen I have to stare at for hours has to be ease and seamlessness of use. I want it to be as unobtrusive as humanly possible.

This is like saying that giving the iPhone a white notch + white bezels would be a purely aesthetic decision. The first thing it does is significantly affect your primary method of interfacing with the device, so it's much bigger than that. Aesthetics are secondary.

Your second point I disagree with. Black may look better or worse to you personally but there's a few black bezel photoshops on MR & other sites that look just fine. Definitely doesn't "stick out like a sore thumb".

 

[Mr. Warbles]

Funny also that last year when Apple release the last 27” intel the high majority on here we’re like “it’s easy Apple, just give us a big iPad on a stand with thinner bezels!”

so Apple does that and everyone’s like:

“But the bezels are white!”

Damned if you do, damed if you don’t. If Apple does something people request then they focus on other things that don’t meet their expectations. Unless you are in the room designing these with Tim Apple, you won’t get everything you want.

This is a great start to this refresh and it will get better as they perfect it.

 

[iDave]

I like the new design too. Planning to order one on the first day; probably green.

I have owned a few iPads with white bezels and prefer them over the black ones I’ve used. It’s just personal preference.

 

[usagora]

Apple is not infallible. It's run by human beings like you and I. They've made some bad decisions here and there in the last few years.

Do I think Apple is stupid? No of course not. Do i think this specific design decision is stupid? Absolutely.

Are we just throwing basic economics and market behavior out the window now? If you want to talk about "simple deduction" and "logic", why would you just waive the fact that despite the existence of alternatives, black bezels have evolved to undoubtably become the norm across computing devices worldwide for a reason?

You may think something like is insignificant to a consumer, but why we're not talking about "most manufacturers"...we're talking about all the manufacturers across all kinds of devices, including Apple, right up till the release of this specific computer. The existence of this kind of a pervasive industry standard isn't a simple coincidence.

This isn't a nascent industry like AR. These design decisions have been established over decades at this point and exist for very valid reasons. Just because a decision is contrarian doesn't make it a good one.

I called myself a "nitpicker" because I feel stupid arguing about something so specific yet relatively insignificant in my life on an online forum. That doesn't mean i think this decision is any less ridiculous.

Good design is not meant to shove itself in your face. It is supposed to be unobtrusive. This is not my personal point of view, this is literally one of Dieter Rams' 10 Principles of Good Design, something that Jony Ive has admitted to following religiously over the course of his entire career. And we all can agree that Jony Ive is most definitely not stupid.

We can keep going back and forth, but the fact that the White Bezels are being pointed out again and again, by multiple people means that it is making itself apparent at the cost of the seamlessness of the experience. Just because it's being done by enthusiasts on an Apple forum doesn't reduce the validity of the perspective.

The "average consumer" may not consciously sit and discuss the bezels like you and I, but you're kidding yourself if you actually think that this computer's white bezels are not going to be something they specifically notice & give at least a quick thought before making a purchase.

Of course, I never said they were infallible and when I said "stupid" I was referring exactly to this specific topic only (new iMac). Again, MOST people simply do...not...care about the bezels and you're kidding yourself if you think most people are going to even give them a passing concerned thought before purchasing. And of course I never said your opinion was invalid because you're posting it on an Apple forum. What I'm saying is it doesn't represent the majority opinion.

If this iMac flops and Apple's research determines it was because of the light-colored bezels, then I'll be happy to eat crow. But I don't think that's going to happen.

I'm going to leave it at that.

P.S. While watching a movie just now, I noticed my LG TV has a light silver-colored bezel. Guess they didn't get the memo that ALL manufacturers should be using black bezels

 

[SamRyouji]

Meh, I just need to buy a cheap black bezeled screen protector if I want it to have a black bezel. And since it's also flat, I'll just wait for comanies such as Colorware to offer me some cool vinyl stickers if I want to change my iMac's color.

If there's only one gripe for me, the pink color is too red to my eyes. This is the kind of pink shade that I want:

 

[Pilot Jones]

Of course, I never said they were infallible and when I said "stupid" I was referring exactly to this specific topic only (new iMac). Again, MOST people simply do...not...care about the bezels and you're kidding yourself if you think most people are going to even give them a passing concerned thought before purchasing. And of course I never said your opinion was invalid because you're posting it on an Apple forum. What I'm saying is it doesn't represent the majority opinion.

If this iMac flops and Apple's research determines it was because of the light-colored bezels, then I'll be happy to eat crow. But I don't think that's going to happen.

I'm going to leave it at that.

I just cannot imagine that anyone buying such an expensive device is going to make that decision as passively as you suggest. Consumers aren't stupid, whether enthusiasts or average.

Let's just agree to disagree 👍

 

[barry.pearson]

Isn't there a valid reason to use black bezels for colour grading? Even if it's not professionally. With a white bezel the lighting in the room can skew your sense of white balance. I think even for those doing minor edits to photographs or light photoshop work this could potentially cause an issue.

In all fairness the last time I used a computer that didn't have a black bezel was waaaay back in 2004-2006 on the iMac G5 - and I don't remember complaining about it then.

 

[barry.pearson]

Meh, I just need to buy a cheap black bezeled screen protector if I want it to have a black bezel. And since it's also flat, I'll just wait for comanies such as Colorware to offer me some cool vinyl stickers if I want to change my iMac's color.

If there's only one gripe for me, the pink color is too red to my eyes. This is the kind of pink shade that I want:

I'm the opposite, I wish they made a red iMac too - although I'm happy orange is getting some love too!

 

[QCassidy352]

Don't get me wrong, this design isn't perfect. There is certainly room for improvement, like everything else on this planet. Actually, it has a lot of room for improvement. But is it really 'hideous', 'disappointing' or 'a step backwards'? Imo, people are critizing it way too quickly.

The colours
I have no idea why there's so much critism on this because people have been asking for more colourful macs for ages. Maybe the pastel colours aren't your thing, but they're supposed to be 'light and optimistic, while instantly brightening up any space'. And in my opinion, that's exactly what it does. Still don't like it? You always have silver.
But, maybe you're a more 'everything matte black' person. Then you're either a professional, a very boring person, or both. Like, Apple is trying to be optimistic and fit every colour of the rainbow in their lineup. So why tf would they offer space gray? If you want it to look cool, wait for the 27".

The chin
Of course, if I could choose, I want it to be gone too. But I understand why it's there and I can live with it. Here's why:

1. You concentrate on the screen anyways. Just like a hole punch or notch, the chin fades away after a while. And it doesn't even interrupt the screen itself, only making the front bigger.
2. It contains the six drivers and two pairs of woofers. If it gives me better sound experience, I'll happily accept a chin
3. Its value can't be too good. Remember that the price is 'only' 1299 dollars, you can only do so much with it. If it didn't have a chin, it'll probably come with a price hike. Guess what regular, non-techie customers rather want.
4. If the design is 'too' good, you might get a 'iPad Pro 2018/Apple Watch 4' situation; peaking too early. Apple is still struggling to add big updates with these two products.

The colors are awful. They can offer whatever pastel crap they want, but for the love of god, offer one that looks normal. The chin is egregious. The white bezels are inexplicable and inexcusable. Ugliest Mac I can recall since the flower power imac.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Re: the white bezel

There's a reason Apple eventually moved to all black bezels across the iOS lineup

(after originally having white ones on some models)

 

[iDave]

Isn't there a valid reason to use black bezels for colour grading? Even if it's not professionally. With a white bezel the lighting in the room can skew your sense of white balance. I think even for those doing minor edits to photographs or light photoshop work this could potentially cause an issue.

I expect this is why the chins are light pastel colors instead of brighter/darker.

 

[adamlbiscuit]

I'm ok with the new design. Granted, it took some getting used to. I'm eagerly awaiting to see it in person. I think the chin without the Apple logo looks a bit empty, but looking at it through the 'minimalism' lens I get why they did it. The colours look gorgeous from behind.

I also wish I could go back in time and see how many people hated the original iMac G3 design when it first came out, branding it unprofessional or 'toy' like (I've seen similar criticisms aimed at this iMac which piqued my curiosity).

I feel history is repeating itself, but instead of all computers being beige like in the late nineties, we're now in a place where most computers & monitors are black/silver/grey or some combination of. This iMac is making computers 'fun' again in a similar way to which the iMac G3 did back in the day.

& remember, it's the consumer model. I imagine the 'Pro' model will sport an entirely different look (similar to how the PowerBooks looked sleek and cool vs. the funky/fun iBooks).

 

[frosty18]

Re: the white bezel

There's a reason Apple eventually moved to all black bezels across the iOS lineup

(after originally having white ones on some models)

I suspect they moved to all black because of just how little bezel remains as well as the numerous ugly FaceID sensors up top

 

[frosty18]

I think that this new iMac is really beautiful and makes the Mac fun again! I would love to see a reintroduction of the iBook, to replace MacBook Air, with similar colors and a white bezel like the old polycarbonate MacBooks. I'm actually really glad apple didn't release a Pro Display XDR with an M1 chip inside because it doesn't even look like a Mac. The new white bezels and bright colors are quirky just like the old sunflower and G3 iMacs!

 

[usagora]

Re: the white bezel

There's a reason Apple eventually moved to all black bezels across the iOS lineup

(after originally having white ones on some models)

And now they have light-colored bezels on the new iMac, so obviously it's not something they think is as important as some people here do. My previous MBA had an aluminum bezel and it didn't make a lick of difference to me. I guess if someone is that adamant about it, they can get out some black paint or wait for someone to produce some bezel stickers or something. I don't think that's going to apply to a majority of consumers

 

[ilex27]

I like them at first glance but definitely want to see them in person. What is the material of the white bezel? Is it going to get dirty with fingerprints? If so, that's a dealbreaker.

 

[frosty18]

I like them at first glance but definitely want to see them in person. What is the material of the white bezel? Is it going to get dirty with fingerprints? If so, that's a dealbreaker.

The whole front including the chin is glass, so in theory it should actually look cleaner than the easily smudged black bezels. Apple is also calling the bezels light gray so I too want to see what they look like in person.