Is Apple losing their aesthetic sensibility?

[gkarris]

Finally, I have to emphasize the point about "commonality." thejadedmonkey provided that info about Apple trying to make some of its applications more Windows-like. This might have show us why Apple is moving away from white. The general population likes black and silver when it comes to electronics. Most laptops, desktops, DVD players, phones, cameras, and non-iPod mp3 players incorporate these two colors extensively. It only makes sense for Apple to bring those two colors in and do a better job with them (yes, even black and silver can be butchered, just look at Dell or HP laptops). I also don't like the loss of white in one area: the iPod. I am a fan of the white iPod. For some reason, I find it better looking than the black one. I know I'm in an extreme minority here, but I would have loved a white Nano. Oh well. I guess I'll just have to wait until they make one again in...oh about seven years

Actually, Apple can use poka-dots and pastel flowers and they'd still make it look awesome (oops, they actually did!)...

 

[Bimmi]

All the current talk of "the old iMacs looked better" just reminds me of the MASSIVE wave of complaints when the G5s came out. Reaction was overwhelmingly negative, as I recall. How soon we forget.

That said, Apple design does seem to be in a bit of a slump right now. Leopard's UI looks alarmingly cheesy. The new iPods lack warmth, and the new iPod UI seems to have developed a bad case of flash over substance. And while I have no quibble with the iMac itself, the keyboard and mouse do not match the computer or each other, making the standard setup one of the least cohesive Mac looks I can recall (the metal-vs.-white of the pro machines was pretty awful too, but at least the peripherals matched each other)

One thing's fairly obvious; the soothing, seamlessly elegant Apple design aesthetic of the past six years seems to be a thing of the past. It does seem that they are flailing around trying to find a new direction, but flailing is about all they're doing at the moment.

 

[CalBoy]

Actually, Apple can use poka-dots and pastel flowers and they'd still make it look awesome (oops, they actually did!)...

Yes, but Jobs is really trying to reach out to customers who have never looked at or thought about a Mac before. Having a design that fits into the modern era's sensibilities no doubt helps this.

 

[Dybbuk]

Hi. Thank you for writing.

I just had a question about this: what? Is there metal on the exterior of the macbook? I thought it was plastic. Please elaborate on which part of the notebook you were talking about for me

I was talking about how I like the MacBook's keyboard on the MacBook, not on the new desktop keyboards. I think it would be nice if it was all white. The aluminum looks odd.

Actually, Apple can use poka-dots and pastel flowers and they'd still make it look awesome (oops, they actually did!)..

I would like a MacBook with floral details.

That said, Apple design does seem to be in a bit of a slump right now. Leopard's UI looks alarmingly cheesy. The new iPods lack warmth, and the new iPod UI seems to have developed a bad case of flash over substance. And while I have no quibble with the iMac itself, the keyboard and mouse do not match the computer or each other, making the standard setup one of the least cohesive Mac looks I can recall (the metal-vs.-white of the pro machines was pretty awful too, but at least the peripherals matched each other)

One thing's fairly obvious; the soothing, seamlessly elegant Apple design aesthetic of the past six years seems to be a thing of the past. It does seem that they are flailing around trying to find a new direction, but flailing is about all they're doing at the moment.

Bimmi, it seems like you understand what I mean entirely. Thank you for stating your point so well. The new design style of Apple is really cold and lacks elegance. It is a slightly more intimidating style.

I think you are right about the iMac. Itself, it looks pretty okay. But the keyboard and mouse wreck it for me.

 

[CalBoy]

I was talking about how I like the MacBook's keyboard on the MacBook, not on the new desktop keyboards. I think it would be nice if it was all white. The aluminum looks odd.

So your comment was about the Apple keyboard, not the keyboard that's built into the macbook right? Your original sentence sort of ran on, so I didn't know what you were refering to. Thanks for the clear up.

 

[flopticalcube]

If Apple had offered the keyboard and MM in different colours, say all white, all black, black on alu, etc. I think things would have gelled better.

 

[Dybbuk]

If Apple had offered the keyboard and MM in different colours, say all white, all black, black on alu, etc. I think things would have gelled better.

Yes. Black and aluminum would have worked much better.

 

[CalBoy]

If Apple had offered the keyboard and MM in different colours, say all white, all black, black on alu, etc. I think things would have gelled better.

Really makes me wonder why they didn't update the MM with the keyboard; seems like it would have been a logical move.

 

[Dybbuk]

Really makes me wonder why they didn't update the MM with the keyboard; seems like it would have been a logical move.

They did. I saw it with the new iMac. They made the squeeze buttons white instead of grey.

I ... I'm not sure how it helps.

 

[MLeepson]

I just picked up a 4 GB Nano. And it may look like a "fatty" but it sure isn't. it fits comfortably in my either of hands and can operate it with one hand. not to mention it matches my powerbook, The interface is great. It must be one the best Apple products that i've owned

 

[CalBoy]

They did. I saw it with the new iMac. They made the squeeze buttons white instead of grey.

I ... I'm not sure how it helps.

Really? Are you sure? That's pathetic then. I see your point.

 

[Dybbuk]

Really? Are you sure? That's pathetic then. I see your point.

Yes, it is true. I saw when I went to buy my Mighty Mouse. I wanted it, but they didn't have it seperate.

I must say it would look nice were it not clashing terribly with the iMac!

 

[Rothrock]

I went into an Apple store last week to get myself an iPhone and took a few minutes to play with the new iMac. What I was struck by was the inch wide black area around the active part of the monitor. I really found it distracting and ugly.

It is just so harsh and makes this zone that has no useful (either functionally or aesthetically) purpose.

Other than that I still love their design. I absolutely love looking at my iPhone when it is turned off sitting on my desk. And the interface and applications look great – well except Notes! I have no idea how a company like Apple let something as ugly and useless as Notes ship on such a revolutionary product.

 

[janstett]

And the interface and applications look great – well except Notes! I have no idea how a company like Apple let something as ugly and useless as Notes ship on such a revolutionary product.

Are you kidding? With the lack of a proper to-do list, notes is the only thing saving the iPhone for me.

BTW got my iPhone Saturday

 

[ghall]

Are you kidding? With the lack of a proper to-do list, notes is the only thing saving the iPhone for me.

BTW got my iPhone Saturday

I agree, what is with all this beef with the iPhone's note app. It rocks. It is a little hokey, but it gets the job done.


I love the new designs that are coming out of Apple, with the exception of the iPod touch. I think it's great that Apple is moving away from white plastic. I liked it, but it's starting to get old. Plus it seems like every other gadget uses white plastic as well (Nintendo Wii, and DS as examples).

I would have liked to see something a little more new with the iMac besides a new shell though.

 

[shinji]

The white plastic is tired and old, and Apple was due for a change.

While I didn't like the new iMacs (specifically the border) when I saw them online, after seeing in them in person I think they're gorgeous. The mouse does look out of place though, however it sucks as a mouse anyway, and I'm not sure why anyone would use it. I'm using a Razer Pro which doesn't exactly match my Mac Pro but it is a great mouse

As far as the new keyboard, I think it looks great too. I definitely would not have wanted black keys or a black keyboard with aluminum keys- yuck.

So I don't think they're losing their aesthetic sensibility at all- it will just take time for people to get used to after the white plastic.

 

[queshy]

I definitely like the white look better, but the new iMacs are pretty nice. It's going to be interesting to see if they keep the macbook white.

 

[stockcerts]

I don't agree in regard to the new IMacs look slapped together. I think the previous design all in white plastic was a nice design, but being in white plastic gave it a cheapened look. I never equated plastic with quality. Either way, this issue will always be personal preference.

In the IMac forums one of the things you hear the most is how much everyone loves the way the new systems look on their desk. Until my IMac purchase the looks of a system was never a consideration, but I must say, my new computer looks cool, and functionally it's a nice computer.

 

[Dybbuk]

I don't agree in regard to the new IMacs look slapped together. I think the previous design all in white plastic was a nice design, but being in white plastic gave it a cheapened look. I never equated plastic with quality. Either way, this issue will always be personal preference.

In the IMac forums one of the things you hear the most is how much everyone loves the way the new systems look on their desk. Until my IMac purchase the looks of a system was never a consideration, but I must say, my new computer looks cool, and functionally it's a nice computer.

Hi Stockcerts,

My major qualm is not with the iMac itself (which is fine looking, I suppose, except for some personal issues). It is the way the keyboard and mouse look with it.

 

[MikeTheC]

Ah, Apple's sense of design. Now there's a discussion that could fill an encyclopedia volume.

I was not a big fan of the iMac G5 form factor, and the latest design looks like they took the G5 form factor and their aluminum Apple Cinema Display form factor, dropped 'em in a pot, stirred them until they blended, and out of that plucked the new aluminum Intel iMac.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like the aluminum PowerBook form factor, though I'm surprised it hasn't been modified somewhat and modernized, however if they can't come up with a truly better design, then maybe they're best to just leave it the heck alone.

The PowerMac G5 form factor case (now inhabited by the Mac Pro) has externally always left something to be desired as far as I'm concerned.

Really, the last case designs I really, truly liked were the G3/G4 tower case and the iMac G4 case. Everything else since, new keyboards and their very otherwise-disappointing Mighty Mouse mice included, have been lacking in what I'd call "inspired design".

So yes, Apple's declining aesthetic sensibility has not gone unnoticed by people other than yourself, Deuz.

 

[FJ218700]

recently, I was rebuilding a B&W G3. The windows-box users I work with thought it was the most amazingly, cutting-edge-designed computer they had ever seen. They didn't believe it was a decade-old.

 

[Dybbuk]

Ah, Apple's sense of design. Now there's a discussion that could fill an encyclopedia volume.

I was not a big fan of the iMac G5 form factor, and the latest design looks like they took the G5 form factor and their aluminum Apple Cinema Display form factor, dropped 'em in a pot, stirred them until they blended, and out of that plucked the new aluminum Intel iMac.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like the aluminum PowerBook form factor, though I'm surprised it hasn't been modified somewhat and modernized, however if they can't come up with a truly better design, then maybe they're best to just leave it the heck alone.

The PowerMac G5 form factor case (now inhabited by the Mac Pro) has externally always left something to be desired as far as I'm concerned.

Really, the last case designs I really, truly liked were the G3/G4 tower case and the iMac G4 case. Everything else since, new keyboards and their very otherwise-disappointing Mighty Mouse mice included, have been lacking in what I'd call "inspired design".

So yes, Apple's declining aesthetic sensibility has not gone unnoticed by people other than yourself, Deuz.

It is glad to hear that I am not alone in this.

The G4 design is truly a masterpiece. I can't say that I like the G5/white Intel iMac design more. I'd say they're about even, with maybe the G4 winning simply because it is so unconventional. Personally, I would have been happy to see them continue that design and modernize it. However, AFAIK there are technical issues with that design? Maybe someone can clarify for me.

I am more annoyed at the half-hearted attempt to stray away from the white. I wish they had done it in one fell swoop to avoid this awkwardness. Considering they updated the MM to be MORE white ... I don't have much faith.

recently, I was rebuilding a B&W G3. The windows-box users I work with thought it was the most amazingly, cutting-edge-designed computer they had ever seen. They didn't believe it was a decade-old.

Sorry, I'm new to Apple. I don't know it. Can you show me?

 

[flopticalcube]

 

[diddy]

Still a beauty.

I thought of building mine into a coffee table as a iTunes/TV listings/browsing OSX-embedded-furniture thing, but I just can't. It's too awesome.

Apple's style is just changing, and watching the evolution is half the fun. We're in that in-between stage. Remember when everyone thought the G5 PowerMac was ugly and mis-matched? (Eww! A cheese grater!)

 

[FJ218700]

Sorry, I'm new to Apple. I don't know it. Can you show me?

Mine isn't as clean as the one shown above, and the apple CRT like that it isn't working any more, but it runs Tiger rock-solid (slow, but solid). I'll try to post a pic of it in action later in the setup forum as part of my home system (server).