The Struggle of Resizing Windows: A MacOS User's Frustration
A simple task, yet a frustrating experience. Norbert Heger's post highlights a peculiar issue with resizing windows on MacOS 26 Dyehoe, or as it's officially named, MacOS Tahoe. It seems that resizing windows has become a challenge, and the reason is quite surprising.
Here's the catch: when attempting to resize a window, users instinctively click on the window corner, but this click often fails to respond. The issue lies in the tiny 19 x 19 pixel area near the corner, which is the designated resize button. However, due to the large corner radius in MacOS Tahoe, a whopping 75% of this area now falls outside the window, making it difficult to accurately click and resize.
But here's where it gets controversial. Apple's decision to remove the visual indicator for resizing in the lower right corner of windows has sparked debate. This change, introduced in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion back in 2011, aimed to simplify the interface by making scrollbars invisible, except during scrolling. While this design choice may have been well-intentioned, it has left users guessing where to click to resize windows.
The older MacOS versions, like 10.6 Snow Leopard, provided a clear visual cue with the resize affordance in the corner. This indicator served a dual purpose: it showed both the ability to resize and the location to click. In contrast, the new approach in MacOS 26 requires users to hover over the corner and try, without any visual guidance. It's like asking someone to find a hidden treasure without a map!
The logic behind Apple's decision is understandable. With the ability to resize windows from any corner or edge, the lower-right grippy-strip affordance might seem redundant. Plus, the space for this affordance was initially created by the intersection of scrollbar channels, which are now invisible by default. However, this change has made resizing windows a hit-or-miss affair, especially for users who rely on visual cues.
The author argues that while the grippy-strip might not be necessary, its absence can be frustrating. It's like removing a helpful guide and expecting users to adapt instantly. The new hit target for resizing, with its small affordance, can be tricky to locate, especially with the large corner radius in MacOS 26.
And this is the part most people miss: the windows on MacOS 26 don't have comically large corner radiuses; they just appear that way due to Apple's design choice. This design seems to contradict Steve Jobs' philosophy that design should prioritize functionality over aesthetics. It begs the question: is this new UI a step forward or a misstep?
So, what's the solution? Heger suggests a simple one: avoid upgrading to MacOS 26 Tahoe. If you've already taken the plunge, consider downgrading. Why endure a user interface that makes a simple task like resizing windows a frustrating experience?
What do you think? Is Apple's design choice a step in the right direction, or should they bring back the visual resize affordance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
