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Overall it looks good. The inductor (L501) on VCC is unusual and we don't normally recommend it. The inductor can cause ringing when it interacts with the bulk capacitor. I recommend testing the design without the inductor first (add a 0-ohm resistor there or solder bridge), and then only add the inductor back in if you have issues.
I can't see how large the bulk capacitor (PC5C1) is, as long as it is >100uF it should be fine.
If they would be interested in features of a more modern driver such as integrated current sensing and current regulation they might want to look into the DRV8424E or DRV8428E.
Location of the bulk capacitor shouldn't matter, as long as the power traces/planes are sufficiently large. Should be fine.
Fair enough! Looks like you found the best chip for that application then. The only cheaper option I see is the DRV8833C, and it is only PWM control not Phase/Enable/PWM.
The current regulation function allows you to set a lower value of current for the motor when you don't need full motor current. This can reduce the amount of power used in a system and keep the stepper motor from getting too hot.
Further, the DRV8428E has integrated current sensing, meaning that you don't need an external shunt resistor to measure the current. This significantly reduces the footprint size of the system since you don't need a large resistor and simplifies design a bit.
Slow Decay is likely to help with the motor noise, but it isn't guaranteed. Check out 3.3.1 Effects of Current Ripple and Decay Mode in this "How to Reduce Audible Noise in Stepper Motors" note. Slow decay can help, but it isn't as effective as mixed decay or Smart Tune Ripple Control is (which the DRV8428E has). Using microstepping also typically helps with noise, higher microstepping levels ( ex. 1/256) will be quieter than full-step or 1/2 step.
