The notch feels weird, but when I try to redesign it without sacrificing features, I can’t come up with a better option. …Not that I’m a brilliant designer by any means.
I'm convinced this is true, at least partially.
The iPhone notch is branding and a visual differentiator from the competition, which is Apple's forte, and carrying over that very distinctive design element to other product lines seems right in Apple's playbook.
In other words: glass slab in your hand? Who knows. Glass slab with a black notch? iPhone.
Person typing on metallic laptop in a cafe? Who knows. Ah, but the screen has a notch? MacBook.