Oh Apple -- release some new laptops so this madness can end. The forums at MacRumors are abuzz over a Taiwanese site that's showing off pictures of what appears to be a very close cousin of that MacBook Pro-esque casing
we saw earlier. This isn't the same model, surely, but it does bear a striking similarity in both design and materials -- and after lots of deliberation and comparisons, we're fairly sure this isn't the Air either (the hinge ends in a totally different spot in relation to the keys). That machined quality we noted in the earlier post is present, though as we said previously, the sides of these housings do look like separate pieces. Regardless, if any of this is even remotely true (and not another Photoshop from someone's mother's basement), Apple is
indeed taking its laptops in an Air direction, which isn't surprising -- but signs of these being the end-result of new manufacturing process? The jury's still way out. One more pic after the break of that controversial side piece.
[Via
MacRumors]
posted October 9th 2008 12:56AM
i laughed, then i'll laugh some more. its gonna get released soon, so why not just wait. just make sure you go and buy your selves a dozen each.
MacBook for sure, which disappoints me. I want Apple to do a radical departure from the current line. It looks like they are just going to keep the same old form factor, just with seamless aluminum for the casing instead of plastic, and likely thinner. Substantial, yes, but I want new designs.
Give us integrated tablets in super thin casings; give us flat, touch sensitive keyboards that vibrate when touched, with a constant fiber optic glow for the keys; give us brighter screens; give us green machines; omit the optical drive, supplanted with an internal ac adapter; give us black; and change your damn commercials!
That hand looks kinda scary, what's with the fingers?
This doesn't seem the be the same model in the previous shot...
This one doesn't have a speaker grille whilst the other photo (earlier 'leak' shot) does.
Unless of course they are releasing 2 different sizes...
Since I'm living in China and have been since 2006, the room that the person is in in the 2nd picture looks like a typical Chinese Style room. The bed is hard, the white paint with large base boards... Looks just like my house.
*shrug* doesn't confirm anything.
I guess no one from a factory who have their future in mind would think of leaking such pictures if it was not in understanding with Apple’s management - to take advantage of the free marketing opportunity that is only available to players that guard their information well and get a lot of free public relation as a result! By the way, the hand in the picture with the 15 inch? MacBook Pro keyboard is quite likely a female hand since the ring finger is shorter than the index finger, be aware of exceptions though... Another thing; Apple started this type of production with the keyboard that still come with the iMac and Macintosh Pro! I’m thinking of the thin keyboards with separate hole for each key here. Very appealing design but not necessarily something much harder than the technology used to make heat sinks and other profiles that you can get from firms like Hydro Raufoss Automotive (Hydro Raufoss) and probably also from Alcoa extrusion (India). One should not underestimate that good style is a good selling point when combined with high quality combination of software and hardware but this is hardly enough to make this anything to justify the investment more recently mentioned by Apple management. There have to be something a bit more original than that! I would suggest waiting for the for the next stevenote after the election for something more out of the ordinary.
...what a waste of metal if they're using a solid piece of Aluminum and throwing everything else away...unless they're willing to remelt the blasted aluminum...
My bet is that they have switched to using Liquidmetal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquidmetal
Lets just hope the new ones doesn't crack as easily.
Those be some fat fingers!
It looks as if the 'up' and 'down' buttons are going to be one piece; interesting; kind of like the TI-84
So how long before Apple applies for a patent for "a method of manufacturing a consumer product by carving them out of steel bricks". Srsly though, does everyone here really care to see several posts a day about this. I mean, geesh, doesn't McCain deserve some praise too. (before you flame, aren't both topics are just as charged and treated with bias?)
I hope this in a MacBook pro and not a MacBook. Otherwise we now have the following choices:
MacBook Pro - Grey
MacBook - Grey
MacBook Air - Grey
iMac - Grey
MacMini - White and underpowered. But if you use an Apple monitor it can be partly grey too!
The entire new Mac line will pretty much be grey. Apple, why not add some colour like what you use in the new iPod Nano line please.
My bad, forgot three:
MacPro - Grey
Xserve - Grey
AppleTV - Grey
Though admittedly MacPro/Xserve don't really need colour as they tend not to be focused on consumers.
The time capsule isn't grey.
Colors- u want colors???
http://www.photoshoptalent.com/images/contests/MacBook%20Air%20practice/fullsize/MacBook%20Air%20practice_47c550c04d88b_hires.jpg
I'm sick of "Applephilism" of the Engadget crew.
What is so exciting in two pieces of plastic to dedicate them TWO articles?! Why I can't read about two Dell's plastic pieces?
The worst part of a year is that part when Apple releases something new. You guys are getting so excited, that... I'm vomiting seeing tens of posts describing every part (with YouTube video included) of the lastest Apple LCD cover frame... Bleh...
I use both platforms and own a MBP.
It does get crazy but why not just skip the post.
I just have to laugh...a new keyboard from Apple...WHO. T. F. CARES? Is this really the best thing you can find to apply your minds to?
Was that comment really the best thing you could find to "apply your mind to" ?
Next on Engadet:
Pics surface of a small piece of red wire supposedly from new apple laptops
you've SEEN the pics? ohimigod. what gauge wire? what shade of red? PLEASE a link to the photo...
Has anyone else noticed that this shell looks like its designed more for a Macbook than a MacBook Pro?
Definitely a 13". The sides aren't wide enough.
I can't believe Engadget even bothered posting an article about this. Your Apple Fanboyism is pretty ridiculous.
So instead of the bottom being a tub with a flat piece inserted in the top this has a one piece top, not quite any form of new manufacturing process. I know only too well why they changed the design, because macbook's design flaw is that the front edge below the keyboard cracks very easily. I was told it was a design flaw by the company that repaired mine under warranty twice !
The new shell should stop this happening. On a more interesting note if that is a metal shell that comes in pearl white, are we going to get nano like colours in the new macbooks ?
By the way carving a shell out of one piece of metal with water jets or lasers is not a new invention its called CNC machining.
I don't see any "controversial side piece"; I see a side view of the same piece with the guy's thumb and fingers sticking up thru the track and key holes.
Via Mac Rumors?! WTF...
sigh engadget...
Ugly fingers give me the heebie jeebies.
If this turns out to be a sub $1000 mac netbook i would buy it instantly. I hope it is. I am mainly a pc guy but dont have a mac mainly because of price.
take a macbook, remove plastic under keyboard, add silver spray paint, and what do you get?
"spy shots"
The keyboard is different than the current macbook (enter and shift keys are different). It's the newer version as found on the air.
The power button has also moved to the right, other than this, there isn't any difference. The trackpad is even the same size, bit of a letdown realy.
Sizing-wise, it's the same size as the MacBook.
Only the far side is about 1/2 cm shorter
On the first pic, the hand looks more female than male to me...
Oh beautiful, beautiful similarity to my precious MacBook Air. Perhaps I will be saved from the shame of having a blatantly previous generation Mac.
Perpetuate, beloved style!
Is it just me or does the first pictures look EXACTLY like the bottom of a macbook air with the keys and trackpad removed? Notice the power button is same shape, size and place, and the trackpad is the exact same size with the button added in.