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Ask HN: Would MacBook Pros be better with these simple changes?

2 points by amichail ↗ HN
I think these simple changes would improve most people's experiences with MacBook Pros.

Software:

* limit brightness by default so whites don't hurt your eyes or tell the user how to do this

* provide a way to increase the volume of high frequencies so they balance the strong bass (especially for older adults with weaker high frequency hearing)

* provide a way to hide the notch in Desktops that works like what is done in full-screen apps so that users don't need to use a wallpaper with black at the top

* provide an easier way to make fine adjustments to brightness

* provide an easier way to make fine adjustments to volume

Hardware:

* make the escape key width the same as the Touch ID sensor

* put bumps on two function keys to make them easier to find without looking

7 comments

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gregjor
You should explore the display, sound, and accessibility settings in MacOS. Look at third-party keyboards.

https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-fine-tune-volume-brightness...

amichail
For fine tuning volume and brightness, why not have a single keypress result in a small change while holding down the key results in a bigger change?
gregjor
Because it doesn't work that way. I was suggesting ways you may get what you need now, because lobbying on HN for Apple to change their hardware and software probably won't accomplish much.

We could all think of things that would make our devices work better, for us, but Apple sells consumer electronics to a global mass market so we have to live with their design decisions or find something else that works better for us.

dsdxd
Would expect a lot of user testing and validation goes on at Apple.

Seems like you need to RTFM and probably make some mods yourself.

amichail
I think some defaults are intended to show off the hardware even if they are not what you would want to use on a daily basis.

Also, maybe there is too much user testing in some cases? Do you really need a wide escape key?

wryoak
I have caps lock remapped as escape: I decided long ago that the standard escape key is not accessible enough for me, so maybe some people do need a wide escape key
optimussupreme
I would add to the list: 1) Full sized up and down arrow keys. 2) Instead of regular thermal paste, they should use something like "cryosheet thermal grizzly" 3) thin heatpipe soldered to the chassis placed in the place where the most heat comes out of the chassis, so the heat spreads evenly 4) Remove the notch 5) Make ssd replaceable 6) Spill resistant keyboard 7) Oled screen 8) rotary dial like in Asus pro art 9) Apple pencil works with touchpad 10) Dunno, random idea: ability to listen to music via haptic engine for deaf persons