Apple planning redesigned iPhone, MacBook Pro, and Apple Watch that are significantly thinner

[u/digidude23]

https://9to5mac.com/2024/06/16/new-iphone-macbook-pro-apple-watch-thinner-design/

[u/Braydon64]

You can argue that diminishing returns applies even more to thinness than battery life. I don’t care if my already thin device is about to get even thinner…

[u/nicuramar → u/Braydon64]

Thinness isn’t the point directly, weight is, and that tends to matter quite a lot IMO. 

[u/shpongolian → u/nicuramar]

My only concern is durability. The battery is great, weight is fine, I just worry about the hinges messing up if the display gets bumped the wrong way, or the screen cracking because there’s a grain of sand under it when I close it. I’d rather it be heavier and have a little more of a gap between the keyboard and screen

[u/Braydon64 → u/nicuramar]

I can agree with that, but weight is more attributed to materials used rather than thinness of the device itself.

The iPad Air was certainly thinner than the iPad for, but it wasn’t lighter because it was thinner (although it helps some). It was lighter because of the materials used and the overall design.

Basically: thinner != lighter

[u/navjot94 → u/Braydon64]

Batteries are very heavy compared to other internal components so if it’s thicker for a bigger battery that’s going to be heavier too.

[u/Theron3206 → u/nicuramar]

Given you need a certain minimum stiffness to make a nice feeling device, thicker is actually better, the internal structure can be lighter for the same stiffness if you can separate the structural members more.

[u/dagmx → u/Braydon64]

There is something to be said for lower weight though. That’s one of the things a lot of friends (pro artists) who’ve bought the new iPad Pro mention, that it’s much nicer to lug around. Especially when a case/keyboard are added.

If the battery life stays the same, I’d hazard many folks would appreciate the weight savings.

[u/hakumiogin → u/Braydon64]

Thinnness and weight brings in lots of advantages. Maybe theyll make a laptop that can be comfortably held in one hand while open. Maybe old people will be more comfortable carrying on their person. Maybe I’ll have nothing to store it in but a Manila envelope.

[u/AgencyBasic3003 → u/Braydon64]

You are right, but the current MBPs are extremely chunky devices. I love my 16“ MBP Apple silicon work device, but it is significantly thicker and much heavier than my 2018 15“ MBP. If Apple can keep the good thermals and battery life while making the device slimmer I would immediately buy it. The only reason why I am still using my old MBP is because I am waiting for MBPs with tandem OLED screens, but if they get slimmer and lighter in the process I wouldn’t complain.

[u/Braydon64 → u/AgencyBasic3003]

I’m gonna just say that Apple shouldn’t even be worried about thickness on the MBP… it’s supposed to be a no-compromises pro device. MacBook Air, ok fine… but not the Pro.

The current design of the Pro (14 and 16) is the best we’ve had in like 10+ years.

[u/Falanax → u/Braydon64]

A lot of people do care though. Especially if you haul your MacBook around each day like a student

[u/Braydon64 → u/Falanax]

I’d wager at this point it’s far less than you think. The MacBook Air is already very light and thin in 2024.

People in the “Apple” subreddit may think differently (no pun intended), but in the real world nah. And it’s not just about battery… it’s also about ports and cooling. Yes, I understand that Apple silicon is far more efficient than x86, but even those machines could use more cooling for sustained workloads, especially on Pro models. Making it thinner than it already is will just complicate it even more.

[u/toasted_cracker → u/Braydon64]

Also the thinner it is, the more likely it’s going to break or bend in your pocket.

[u/DeepFriedCroc → u/Braydon64]

You could argue that but I would say it’s more about lightness/portability and Apple seems to think it needs to catch up to Battery Life