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Why do the Apple Studio Display and iMac still have big bezels?

7 points by NarcisMirandes ↗ HN
Compared to other cheaper options, the Apple products has noticeably bigger bezels. It has fantastic design, build quality, sound, and image but bigger bezels. Why is that? Is there any technical reason? Has Apple had to compromise between those features?

6 comments

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k310
I use the bezels for postit notes. That doesn't answer "why", but my motto is "When life throws you lemons, make limoncello."
fckgw
So in the case of the iMac, you have the "chin" on the bottom, which is where all the computing guts are stored. The new M-series iMacs are incredibly thin and the only thing above the chin is screen. There is also a webcam on the top which takes up a bit of space so they make the sides the same width to match. If you also look at how the LCD is inlaid into the chassis, they need to have a lip around the frame in order to hold it in. This is going to require a bezel of some sort

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+M1+24-Inch+Teardown/142...

The screen on the Studio Display is pretty similar, it doesn't set "into" the frame like some monitors, it sits on top of the chassis with a small lip. It has a camera (and basically an iPhone) in it as well but the bezel could probably be shrunk down a bit.

I wouldn't doubt that they made a design choice to keep the bezels similar between the two products to make a cohesive design language. If/when they shrink bezels on one expect the other to change as well.

izolate
I have the Studio Display and personally find the larger and uniform bezel gives it a premium esthetic and unique look. A smaller bezel would inevitably draw comparison with cheaper monitors.

It seems like an intentional design decision that is rooted in better UX. It's certainly easier to position with your thumbs on the bezels, and provides a surface to attach post-it notes.

faeriechangling
In their own marketing they show several of these monitors being used side by side and bill their computers as supporting multiple of these displays. I don’t recall them ever showing a monitor adjustment.
Throw_Away_1049
On that note, why don’t they work with Windows (without Thunderbolt) so I can ditch my crappy Dell? :(
askafriend
I believe it's a design decision to help frame the content and focus your eyes towards it (similar to photos with frames or matting around them in a gallery). Otherwise it'd be jarring with the screen not having a frame against its surroundings.