Several design highlights of MacBook Air from the perspective of software engineers

I have been engaged in software development and operation for many years and have never been interrupted by "design. Now we are designing a new SaaS product: Super table (www.domypp.com ). I recently bought an Apple's latest laptop, MacBook Air, which has gained a deep understanding of the product's functional design and user experience. I think, shouldn't software design be like this?

First, let's talk about the first impression.
Just opened the packaging of the MacBook Air, opened the exquisite packaging box, and took out the small and exquisite MacBook Air. I started to think about how long it will take me to start using this computer. Turn on the flip, and you will see the power button in the upper right corner, and press it (will it need to be charged first? I think if you need to charge first, you will be charged points ). No disappointment, one click, immediately start the Mac. In a few seconds, you need to configure a machine name for the machine. I entered the name. OK.
A few seconds later, the screen prompts you to find the wireless network in the House (this is the name of the wireless router in my home, familiar !), Prompt to enter the network key. Input.
A few seconds later, the MacBook Air desktop appeared. It can be used normally. Next I will see the browser safari at the bottom. Open it and enter a URL. Successful!
Good! For a person like me who lives on the internet, having access to the Internet means I can work normally.
In this way, I have not encountered any obstacles. It took me tens of seconds to use the product for the first time and scored 10 points.

What is the inspiration? If I design the software so that the user can use it for the first time, the user will feel very good. The software that causes user frustration is the software that fails the design. Once, our company's colleagues joked that if the software installation is too simple, it will make users feel that the software is too low-end and not worth the money. In some cases, this may be necessary marketing measures. But in terms of user experience, in this network era where user experience is paramount, you must always remember "User Experience "!

The following are other design points that I have a deep feeling about.

Effective function key design.
The first row of keys on the keyboard is the function key. Function keys in addition to marking the F1-F12, as well as image graphics, let people know what to do at a glance.
F1 reduces the screen brightness.
F2 increases the screen brightness.
F9 enables/disables sound.
F10 reduces the volume.
F11 increases the volume.
These buttons take effect as soon as they are pressed. Good!
What? What can I say about this?
Let's look back at the familiar Windows function keys:
F1 is used to open the Help System: How many people really need this function key? You often press this key to open the help system.
Enable/disable sound function key: Will it take effect if you press it? No! Why? Because you still need to press the "FN" function key at the bottom left at the same time.

Let's take a look at the difference:
Mac air: you do not need to press the "FN" key at the same time;
Windows: Press "FN" at the same time.
In this case, I have been using Windows for more than a decade and feel that the MAC design is more user-friendly and the user experience is better.

The standby time is 30 days, and the use time is 5 hours.
This is my most important point. For laptops, battery endurance is really important. However, most laptops have poor endurance, so they have to get used to it. Now you can enjoy such a long endurance to know what is good. Simply put, the 100 new features are no longer important than their endurance.

When the computer is used up for the moment, the system immediately changes to sleep, and the system instantly restores the original desktop. What is instant? 1-2 seconds! Let's take a look at the time of sleep and restoration in windows. Is it at least 30 seconds?


What is the inspiration?
When designing software, it is sometimes difficult to balance the relationship between functions, performance, and user experience. Think about the Mac air design we just mentioned, and we know it should be like this:
1. Grasp the first and second points of the most important features or performance of the user experience to achieve the ultimate, more important than doing a lot of functions;
2. Do not get used to the practices of the past and the masses. I think windows is good if I have never used Mac. Only when Mac air is used can we know that there is still better.


Continue.
The first time you want to power in your Mac. Find the power cord and insert it to the power outlet (conventional, nothing) and the other to the Mac. I took the connector to find the Mac power plug, just approaching, click it!
What's wrong? The plug is on! It turns out that the power connector is magnetic enough to suck the power cord plug in.
This is my most crashing experience. Haha, the design is so awesome. I often get used to finding power plug-ins in many plug-ins and aligning them with the plug-ins with care. I was suddenly "served" in such a human way, and my heart is incredibly happy.


Another "User Experience "!

The following are some of the surprises of MacBook Air:
It's more than 2 catties. It's the lightest notebook I 've ever seen.
Shortest, rather than imagination!

You should design a super table like designing a MacBook Air.