Apple Reverses Course on Controversial Design Choices in 2019
Apple spends 2019 quietly walking back several of its most questionable hardware decisions, including problematic keyboards and underpowered laptops. The company appears to finally listen to customer criticism rather than relying solely on its own design vision.
Apple traditionally relies on its own design vision rather than asking customers what they want, but 2019 feels like a significant shift in that philosophy. The tech giant tacitly admits that its critics have a point by walking back several aggressively questionable decisions without making formal apologies. This change of heart comes as more everyday users become vocal critics, making their feedback too important to ignore.
The MacBook serves as a prime example of this reversed course, as Apple finally addresses a laptop that never reaches its true potential. Despite launching as an expensive novelty with a weak processor, small battery, and a single USB-C port, the company stubbornly keeps the flawed machine on sale for years. The device also introduces the notoriously unreliable butterfly keyboard, further frustrating users who simply want a functional, practical laptop.
This shift marks a departure from the famous Henry Ford mindset that Apple often embraces, where the company assumes it knows better than its customers. Instead of forcing users to adapt to problematic designs, Apple now appears to recognize the value of giving people what they actually need. The result is a year of long-overdue corrections that prioritize user experience over rigid design ideology.