Why the Notch? | Face ID Is Coming to Macs in Second Iteration of New Design

The recently updated 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pros have a notch for a reason. For the time being, that reason is being overlooked, because in 18-24 months Apple will finally give us Face ID on the Mac.

There was backlash over Apple adding the notch to the MacBook Pro, but the notch may also be coming to the off-white bezeled MacBook Air. Many fail to realize that this will be the new Mac design language for the next three to four years.

Unlike Samsung, if Apple is working on a bigger redesign, they’ll have a refinement year and improve an existing product with large success – or Apple will add or remove key components or features to prepare for something different. This is exactly what Apple did for the redesigned 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pros – Apple added the notch now because Face ID is inevitable.

It makes good sense that if Apple were preparing to add Face ID to the MacBook, a notch would be needed. It also allows for more space to make bezels even thinner, leading to the larger 14.2″ and 16.2″ displays. However, the iMac is a large desktop, so for the upcoming iMac design, there is no notch, as there is plenty of room in the bezel to house Face ID components.

Macs will keep Touch ID even with the addition of Face ID. This same approach is said to be in testing on the iPhone and iPad, but Apple isn’t ready to implement both biometrics on portable devices yet. However, there’s certainly no harm in having both options.

Are you ready for Face ID on the Mac? Do you think it will be useful? Let us know!

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]