Go To Latest Video ReviewsApple MacBook 'Brick' Rumours Circulating
| Author | Hugo Jobling |
| Published | 6th Oct 2008 |
Comments for Apple MacBook 'Brick' Rumours Circulating
pimlicosound said on 6th October 2008
Juxtah said on 6th October 2008
Sounds like an excuse for Apple to raise their prices even further above the competition. I still can't see why Apple like most other manufacturers hasn't moved on from aluminium as a structural material, aesthetically I have no problem with it but magnesium alloys provide better strength and rigidity. Also sounds a bit wasteful of materials/money, since carving chassis out of solid blocks would leave you with a lot of waste that would need to be melted down and reformed to be usable (and to do this with aluminium requires a lot of electricity).
Shaun O'Flaherty said on 6th October 2008
Off topic, but I like how all the Google ad's below are from building companies, brick paving companies etc. Gotta love that targeted advertising!
On topic - I can't help but think "hmmm, what if?" about your quip of a super-flexible aluminium getting rid of physical hinges. If only, all I expect is an aluminium Macbook, with 13" LED backlit display, maybe an SSD option. And in the 'possible surprises' column I have Centrino 2. But I like surprises, so the more the merrier. I've found nothing surprising about an Apple event since the iPhone announcement... we're overdue Steve!!
Ironduke said on 6th October 2008
Time to unleash the kracken in time for christmas jobsey
Its time its time
Its apple time
Ed said on 7th October 2008
"(and to do this with aluminium requires a lot of electricity)."
To melt down and reform doesn't necessarily require a lot of electricity. Once released from its ore aluminium can be melted down by conventional methods just like any metal (obviously this heating process may also require a lot of electricity).
Norbury said on 7th October 2008
Because aluminium has a low melting point it's actually easier and cheaper to recycle the waste than for almost any other metal, plus there's only a few different alloys in use unlike the multitude of different types of steel which again makes it easier. I can't really see why they aren't just casting the cases though, could make much more intricate 3D shapes with minimal finishing required, maybe it's just so much cheaper to buy the plate.
Ed said on 7th October 2008
@Norbury
I think it's because the finish of machined products is actually nicer and doesn't need further finishing. Whereas moulded components will need to have edges cleaned up etc. Also, moulded parts tend not to be as strong as machined parts.
In fact, there's only so much you can do with moulding anyway.
Peter said on 7th October 2008
How about brick as in building block....
New apple notebooks incl pro could have identical 'Brick' at the heart of them.
To save money.
ChaosDefinesOrder said on 7th October 2008
New name for an updated Mac mini shaped like a brick?
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So in the future having a "bricked" iPhone would be a new, even better status symbol.