Apple patent could lead to carbon fiber MacBook housings

OneMoreThing... · Sep 4, 2012

Apple patent could lead to carbon fiber MacBook housings

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xdunlapx · Sep 5, 2012

Eww plastic for macbooks? I much prefer metal. It is nicer feeling and seems to be perfectly strong. I would be very disappointed if they decided to forgo the metal and go with plastic.

iggibar · Sep 10, 2012

xdunlapx said:
Eww plastic for macbooks? I much prefer metal. It is nicer feeling and seems to be perfectly strong. I would be very disappointed if they decided to forgo the metal and go with plastic.

Carbon fiber is not plastic. It's part resin(or carbon depending on the application), and part strands of thin carbon. Put it together, and you have a material that is worth more than any production metal used in computers by Apple. It provides better cooling feel to the user, MUCH stronger, can be died many colors, and weighs a heck of a lot less! If you use carbon strands, with a carbon coating, you'll most likely have a computer that shows almost no signs oh heating.

So, "Eww?" I think not.

Doug b · Sep 10, 2012

So it's really the molding process which is to be patented, not the usage of carbon fiber for a notebook which is already seen in the "Sony VAIO Z thin and light series".

Those Sony's are usually of very good quality, so a step in that direction would be okay in my book.

Doug

iggibar · Sep 10, 2012

Doug b said:
So it's really the molding process which is to be patented, not the usage of carbon fiber for a notebook

Doug

That's what it seems like. I'm a huge fan of CF in areas where it can upgrade functionality. I'm not a fan of using it to show off.

XJ-linux · Sep 10, 2012

I've fabricated automotive parts using CF. It can be a good idea, and it can be a bad idea depending upon application. I hope they do it right if they do it. Obviously lightweight, but while it doesn't dent - it cracks, splits, can burn and is susceptible to UV damage and fading.

TattooedMac · Sep 10, 2012

Ohhhhhh ill be in love, having a Audi R8 Macbook Pro !!!!!! Bring it on

xdunlapx · Sep 11, 2012

Yeah but the look and feel of carbon fiber is plastic. That's why I said eww plastic. It may be cool and a new trend but it certainly isn't cool in my book. Not for the macbook line. I would rather tote around my 4.5 pound 13" mbp in metal versus a lighter plasticy mbp. I love the look and feel of the aluminum much better than carbon fiber. I doubt carbon fiber would be light enough to make it worth my while. Say if it dropped 2 pounds off of the mbp I would be okay with that but if it's less than 2 pounds, then no.

iggibar · Sep 11, 2012

There are many reasons to go with carbon fiber, not just weight savings, when talking about small consumer products, especially when the original is made from solid aluminum. I wouldn't be surprised if it would cost Apple more to mill a MBP out of solid aluminum than it might with CF. Also, I GREATLY doubt Apple would do a standard CF layout with resin, it will probably be mixed with carbon to give a uniform, solid look. I don't think Apple cares for the CF weaving look.

RONE · Sep 12, 2012

I'd love to see how Apple uses CF for cases. Mmmm.... carbon fiber....

Another benefit in addition to weight savings is no reduction in wireless antenna performance!