http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/ Engadget Comments for MacBook strips off its polycarbonate unibody shell for the expected teardown http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/]]>Oct 20th 2009 6:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Yes by violating the warranty.]]>Oct 20th 2009 6:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
So you can't open it up to upgrad RAM or your HDD without violating your warranty? If that's the case, then oh. If not, you can just replace it with a new one, then if you ever need to use your warranty, drop the original one back in and they won't notice.]]>Oct 20th 2009 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Even if it's easy, Apple may claim it's a violation of warantee. But in any case, RAM and HD are user-upgradeable, just like before.]]>Oct 20th 2009 6:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 7:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
Seriously, if somehow your battery goes bad during the warranty, they will replace it.
If the warranty is expired, how could you void the warranty?
Other than that... why?]]>Oct 20th 2009 9:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 21st 2009 12:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
Oh and pray tell where are these places where you have no access to a power source for extended periods and yet need to use things that need power extensively? No power as in no car or other powered transport device (via inverter), no grid, no generator, no solar and not even a deep cycle battery with an inverter that you might carry. Said place would therefore have no network or mobile cause both need power and even a satphone/net will die pretty quick without power.

Such places that need tech (work related) use very specialized pieces, not con/prosumer laptops and you still need to charge them, so there must still be a generator or something. Your supplied work 4wd in such a "harsh" environment would surely be dual battery minimum.

Hiking might be an example if you went for a few days, but those who hike for work or fun are very weight aware. That you would elect to take a laptop is pretty odd, the extra 5L of water would be more important.

Maybe the beach? Surely there are better things to look at than a laptop. If for work, well you'd bring a rig to power your kit which would have heaps more power sapping things in it than a laptop.

Which leaves us with the plane. Power jacks for planes are available for this laptop but maybe your carrier doesn't have a plug point. So it's a small plane or a budget airline. If it's purely entertainment why use a laptop, a zune HD or iPod will go longer and cheap battery extenders are available. If it's work, well charge more so you can take a decent airline and if you can't the client will understand cause they would also know about the issue. A +5hr flight isn't impossible but must be a large plane due to fuel needs, if there are no carrier options well maybe u luck out for a few harrowing hours without a screen to stare at]]>Oct 21st 2009 1:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
http://www.hypershop.com/HyperMac-External-MacBook-Battery-and-Car-Charger-s/91.htm
]]>Oct 21st 2009 1:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
Thank you for that link, it's gold mate, gold. Hadn't found those suckers, I will be buying one in the next month.

The Gestalt Continues!]]>Oct 21st 2009 2:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
so is that what they resort to now a days? says a lot about apples internal batteries now doesnt it.]]>Oct 21st 2009 6:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 21st 2009 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
That said, I can't believe that this thing is still $999. Apple's OS runs EXTREMELY WELL on a 2.0ghz C2D. Why can't they have a $699 model? Are they really that worried about preserving their image as a luxury brand?]]>Oct 20th 2009 7:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/That said, I can't believe that this thing is still $999. Apple's OS runs EXTREMELY WELL on a 2.0ghz C2D. Why >can't they have a $699 model?

*This* should be the $699 model. 13", all plastic, middle of the road specs, this is a $400-$500 unit from any other manufacturer. ]]>Oct 20th 2009 7:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
I request links.]]>Oct 20th 2009 7:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/I request links.
Honestly I'm having trouble finding a 13" that meets the following criteria: all plastic, 250 gig hard drive, 2 gigs RAM. I did manage to configure a Dell Inspiron 13 for $574. I also found several MSI. Lenovo, Dell and Toshiba models for $549 @ Newegg. Apparently 13" is not the most popular size. OTHO everybody seems to have 15.6" models under $500.
]]>Oct 20th 2009 9:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
Apple should have slogan like this : Think Simplicty, Think Minimalism, Think Overpriced Think again!]]>Oct 22nd 2009 9:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
how much weight do you really add to a laptop to put in a door? Come on APPLE!!]]>Oct 20th 2009 6:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
How few people seriously carry around a spare battery for swapping? It seriously has to be about 1 in about 10,000 laptop users. I've never met a SINGLE person that does this (granted, I'm no Joshua Topolsky). Just sayin'.

About 95% of the population WELCOMES a non-user-replacable battery, if it's going to lead to a slimmer machine, with a battery that lasts longer, at the same price point.


]]>Oct 20th 2009 7:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
please dont tell me non-swappable battery design leads to slimmer and lighter chassis. other manufacturers can do it. y cant apple?]]>Oct 20th 2009 7:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
The funny thing is you just know a couple of years down the line Apple is going to design a super user friendly way to swap batteries (maybe using a secondary battery in the laptop so you can do it in standby-to-RAM and not hibernate), make it shiny and rounded, and market the hell out of it like it's a world first.]]>Oct 20th 2009 7:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 7:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
I disagree.

I'm a long time Apple user, and I've owned two Apple laptops as desktop replacements (Powerbook G4 800 and currently a MBP 2.x Core2 Duo.) I went through 4 batteries on the G4 in about 4 years and currently on my third and fourth for the MBP. I swap the batteries so that I can deplete both before I need to tether to a power cord.

I use them daily, 8+ hours a day. That's a lot of battery cycles. Leaving them plugged in will improve run time, but doesn't help the battery life or mobility factor. The batteries weren't that good to begin with, and the price was too high for replacements, but at least there was a convenience factor.

Why should a user have to go to the vendor to have them handle a simple battery swap? On my systems I just ordered replacements and swapped out as needed. If traveling, I can just exchange batteries until I get to plug in. (Why Apple didn't have a separate battery recharging station for these units is still beyond me.) I live within 5 miles of 2 stores, but what about those outside of major metro areas? As I understand it they don't even swap it out in the Apple store. WTF? I have to turn my computer in for how long?

I love a lot about my iPhone 3GS but the undersized and non-swappable battery isn't one of them. I hate that conundrum that requires you to deplete your battery to ensure sustained long battery cycles, but then ties you to a power cord to recharge it. Why would I want that in my primary computing device? I'm not looking forward to replacing my current MBP for one of these unibodies precisely because of the battery issue. In the past is was also due to the lack of a matte display on the 15" MBP, but at least they resolved that.

My perception is that Apple is looking at enticing people into upgrading when the battery is dead, more than improving run time. Going back the iPhone analogy, maybe people are apt to trade in their iPhone every 2-3 years, but I haven't found it to be necessary for my computer. I only upgraded from the Powerbook because of the processor change and subsequent interest in using bootcamp to eliminate the need for my WinXP Dell laptop.]]>Oct 20th 2009 8:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/It is because iPhone doesn't have a close to decent battery life, which prone to fail after lunch.]]>Oct 20th 2009 8:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
i think shes talking about replacing the battery after its overall life cycle, but still it stands to reason from apple, their batteries suck!]]>Oct 21st 2009 6:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
Why maintain and replace when you can just throw it away when its use is up? (instead of build new XO's, why can't all you Apple owners donate your old MacBooks to 3rd world countries--then they can see the way).]]>Oct 21st 2009 12:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/

Apart from metal and an SD slot, what does the 13" macbook pro have that this doesn't?

it seemingly has the same spec but with a SMALLER HDD, but it's £100 more!!]]>Oct 20th 2009 6:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
This happens from time to time when Apple doesn't refresh their whole product line at once. I expect that the Pro notebooks are due (in the next couple of months) for an upgrade to Core i5 or Core i7. ]]>Oct 20th 2009 6:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
They obviously recycle the remnant aluminum. Jesus.

The price remains that it's $200 more, for basically the same computer. Both models are overpriced. ]]>Oct 20th 2009 7:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
I think that is all - aside from looks and three letters...]]>Oct 20th 2009 8:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/

So:

*More expensive materials (aluminum vs. polycarbonate)
*SD slot
*Able to address more RAM
*Firewire 800
*Backlit Keyboard
*Microphone

There are three on that list I would pay $200 more for: Firewire, RAM, and a Dedicated Mic Port. Those things alone are worth more then $200 to me.]]>Oct 20th 2009 8:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 7:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 7:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
The non removable batteries are necessary to include a bigger and longer lasting battery. With macbooks only being .95" thick, space is VERY limiting.

.95", yet still has longer battery than laptops that are 1.5" to 2" thick.

Sometimes everyone wants to have one's cake and eat it too. You have to draw the line somewhere, heck why doesn't it make me eggs and toast? What a POS.]]>Oct 20th 2009 6:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 6:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 7:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 7:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 7:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/Oct 20th 2009 7:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/macbook-strips-off-its-polycarbonate-unibody-shell-for-the-expec/
it's more like "have your cake SHOVE down your throat"]]>Oct 20th 2009 7:48PM