Buzz
Most Apple enthusiasts, upon seeing the 2021 and 2022 MacBook Pros, unanimously agree on two points:
- They are sleek and powerful
- The notch design is somewhat puzzling
This raises the question of why Apple thinks the notch design is necessary on MacBook. Could it be a preparation to introduce Face ID to Macs in the future? If Apple does so, it may bring the following benefits:
Better Utilization of the Notch
The current bunny ears notch on the MacBook Pro provides the advantage of equipping a better 1080p webcam and delivering a slim bezel design for more screen real estate.
However, the notch on the current MacBook Pro is quite large. When placed next to an iPhone 13, the MacBook's notch is significantly larger both horizontally and vertically, indicating that the Face ID system could easily fit here in terms of surface area.
The issue lies in thickness. As shown in iFixit images, placing the Face ID sensor module from the iPhone 13 next to the screen of the 2021 MacBook Pro 14 reveals that this sensor cluster is considerably thicker. This means that the thickness of the Face ID module cannot fit within the current MacBook Pro's screen frame.
However, considering there is enough width, Apple could still equip Face ID on the MacBook in the future by rearranging/reengineering to thin down this sensor module or thicken the MacBook screen. In conclusion, Face ID would add another valuable function to that rather large notch space.That poses a challenge for the MacBook, whereas with the current iMac M1, the screen border can fully accommodate this Face ID sensor cluster 😊Face ID might bring about a superior webcam experience
Face ID is supported by a rather sophisticated technology known as the TrueDepth camera system, powerful enough to gather and analyze any facial data input when users look at the Mac.So, if future Mac models incorporate Face ID, it could potentially offer webcams with higher quality than the current ones, perhaps rivaling the 12MP TrueDepth camera on the latest iPhone 14 models. This means video calls on Macs would improve without the need for Continuity Camera (using iPhone as a webcam) feature introduced by Apple alongside macOS Ventura.
Elevating Mac to the level of iPhone, iPad
Before the iPhone X, Touch ID was the standard biometric authentication system on Apple devices. However, since the introduction of Face ID on the iPhone X in 2017, the company has gradually phased out Touch ID on subsequent iPhone and iPad models. Additionally, facial recognition technology has only improved over time.
Whether indoors or outdoors, wearing contact lenses or glasses, or even a face mask, Face ID can still recognize if the face is positioned correctly.
While iPhones and iPads are equipped with increasingly advanced Face ID technology, Macs are currently lagging behind with Touch ID. Introducing Face ID would bring Macs on par with the rest of Apple's product lineup.
Convenience
Face ID on the iPhone is incredibly convenient, and it also fits well with the usage scenarios of the Mac. Typically, when you open a MacBook or sit in front of an iMac, chances are your face is already positioned correctly for Face ID recognition. This has been demonstrated with current Windows laptops featuring Windows Hello facial recognition.
All you have to do is look at the Mac from the right angle - this happens naturally, and the Mac will quickly unlock without needing to reach for the Touch ID on the keyboard or take a few extra seconds to enter a password.
