Why Apple’s Space Black MacBook Pro Has People Losing Their Minds

In some ways, I get it. My first reaction was “I need this thing.” In other ways, the impact of black is also wild to me. For one, it’s a huge indicator of just how far Apple’s design language has come. Go to buy a MacBook nowadays and you’ll be greeted with neither white nor black. Silver is the name of the game — a transition that was popularized by the MacBook Air and a move toward an aluminum body.

And that silver, sleek, Apple logo-clad laptop has become just as iconic over time. It exudes professionalism, minimalism, and practicality — it says: I’m a strong, powerful laptop. And damn is it usually right.

Lost in all that austere minimalism, however, is the iBook G3. That big, floppy colorful mess that made early Apple design pop. Just take a look. It’s hard to believe this is the same company that makes “space black” a “fun” option.

And don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. These are different times and different machines. Apple grew up and so did we. The MacBook Pro is a serious machine that’s built for serious creators. The M3 chip is as much of a consumer-facing spec upgrade as it is a feat of engineering and computer science.

And if you want something “fun” color-wise you can actually still get it. In fact, the product I’m talking about actually shared the stage with the new MacBook Pro — I’m talking about the iMac, which comes in several different (non-silver) colors.

Sure, I guess there are actual practical advantages to the M3 MacBook in black; Apple says that it’s less prone to fingerprints because of the anodized body. But mostly, the hype around a black MacBook is simple. What was old is new again (read: rare), and if you’ve got enough money to spend (only MacBook Pros with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are available in space black), then why not spring for something different; something unique; something that says MacBook… but black?