Apple redesigns Support site

So much code bloat. I enjoy the cleaner look, but they've aggressively traded tables for divitis without semantics. It makes little sense when they have so much talent over there to ouput so much HTML/XHTML trash... it's been this way for some of their desktop apps too (Aperture 1 was XHTML 1.1 strict and it put out uppercase XHTML tags, first rule to break!). Clean, professional design with disgusting code isn't doing anything to push new developers forward.

In the meanwile of waiting for a MBP, I am using an old, 13" 4:3 screen Windows Laptop, and all works perfectly. 1024px is the most used width of the internet.

If you can't use 2 browsers windows on 1 screen, get a second if it is so important to you. Luxury problems can have luxury sollutions.

support site or sales site ?

The AppleTV seems a little over represented in terms of screen real estate, unless there are seriously major issues with it?

I understand the resolution of most computer sold are wider than 1000 pixel, and it is understandable that Apple takes advantage of this.

My point, it may be specific to my habbit, is that most of the sites, TUAW for example, are fully functional at 900 pixel width, even though it might be designed for 1024. On my display I can typically have two browser window around 850/900 pixel wide side by side, which is how I normally work. With the new support site I can't, need to resize the window, this in itself is a bit trouble especially since the site is supposed to be a support site. Even if the whole Apple.com is designed for high-res, for support they should've be more considerate.

The other problem is that everything else on Apple.com works will within 900 (with exception of newer pages like iPhone, Pro and Mac@Work), it's not consistent.

Jonathan Wilson:

"To be honest apple sells more small screen computers than larger screen ones...iBooks vs Powerbook,"

Well, not in the last year (ibooks) or 18 months (powerbooks)

"using the website on my iBook, is just a tad ridiculous for a support site, the Aperture or Final Cut sites are fine for the wide layout due to content but a support site? The user should never have to run a site in full screen with a modern computer and scrolling in 2 different directions is also unnecessary."

Honestly, I don't know how you deal normally if you're complaining about this. Most sites - including TUAW - are designed for full-screen 1024 resolution (900px +/- 100px viewable content area). 1024x768 is the new default resolution for website design. Sorry, you'll just have to resize your browser.

Though he can't tell you so, it looks like the work of designer Wilson Miner who works at Apple.

I like the new support site and find it to be enjoyable to look at and navigate.

It has one big stupid problem (at least with firefox): if you click anywhere on the left of the Apple Suport vertical menu, it will select all items of the page...
I wonder how they didn't notice that.

Did you design the site Alexander?

To be honest apple sells more small screen computers than larger screen ones...iBooks vs Powerbook, using the website on my iBook, is just a tad ridiculous for a support site, the Aperture or Final Cut sites are fine for the wide layout due to content but a support site? The user should never have to run a site in full screen with a modern computer and scrolling in 2 different directions is also unnecessary.

Guess its just Apples way of telling me to buy a new computer because my 4:3 layout screen is outdated.

Also it does seem more cluttered...the last support seemed to flow a bit better.

Also, just a note, a new automated system with voice recognition has been implemented for the Canadian AppleCare 1-800 number.

Archive.org has versions of the support page from April 1998 through August 2006:
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.apple.com/support/