Why is Apple now using Aluminum for the Powerbooks? (as opposed to Titanium)

Jump to First Reply
applemasterapplemaster
Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
Maybe I've been living under a rock for the past few months, but why is Apple now using Aluminum instead of Titanium when it comes to the Powerbooks? (12" and 17" only)



I was watching TechTV reviewing the Powerbooks and noticed that they commented that the 17" was less durable and even suffered a few dents because of the aluminum. The titanium one fared better.



Is this a cost-saving measure? Or is there some other reason that makes the aluminum better? Does it look nicer?
«1

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 28
    lucaluca Posts: 3,833member
    Aluminum doesn't need to be painted like Titanium does. Titanium is very difficult and expensive to anodize, so it has to be painted... and the paint will chip. Aluminum is easily anodized, though, so it won't chip. Also, I think Aluminum is cheaper.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 28
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    from my experience with a Ti and Al, the aluminum one is much more durable.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 28
    dhagan4755dhagan4755 Posts: 2,152member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by AppleMaster

    why is Apple now using Aluminum instead of Titanium



    Because it's the latest gimmick.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 28
    frawgzfrawgz Posts: 547member
    Aluminum doesn't seem very gimmicky to me. Look, my Powerbook's made out of the same stuff as my kitchen foil!



    I think it's likely for the practical reasons outlined above.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 28
    lucaluca Posts: 3,833member
    I thought that was Magnesium? Although I suppose Apple's trying to displace Magnesium with Aluminum.



    Watch... a couple years from now they'll make the ZnBook! Actually I have no idea... maybe a ZnBook would be too heavy or something, I'm not sure how heavy zinc is. What else?



    - GaBook: Melts in your hand!

    - PuBook: No need for a backlit keyboard... the whole thing glows in the dark!

    - PbBook: Okay, so maybe it'll cause cancer, but it only weighs 23 lbs and it's super sturdy!

    - ClBook: No heat issues, but it still can cause severe burns...



    On second thought... they should just stick to a normal, lightweight metal. Aluminum seems like a good choice. I don't think a TechnetiumBook would go over too well...
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 28
    gamblorgamblor Posts: 446member
    Quote:

    Also, I think Aluminum is cheaper.



    DINGDINGDING!!!! Luca, you get the cookie.



    Also, Al doesn't flex like Ti does.



    [...]



    Those wack jobs at TechTV put a freakin' DENT in a Powerbook?!?!?! What were they doing with it? Using it in an off-center crash test with a Buick?



    BTW, Luca, you forgot the granddaddy of them all-- the spent UBook. You can destroy a tank with it.



    How 'bout the NaBook? Explodes if you get it wet...



    I believe I'll stop now.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 28
    stunnedstunned Posts: 1,096member
    Aluminium seems more practical, but titanium sounds so cool.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 28
    jcjc Posts: 342member
    i had the Ti and sold to get the AI 17

    and my experience is that the AI is far more durable than the TI. on the Ti if i picked the computer up with one hand it would crash. with the AI 17 I can pick it up with one hand without it crashing even though it is really long.



    and the 17 looks amazing
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 9 of 28
    t'hain esh kelcht'hain esh kelch Posts: 1,274member
    Its better vs. the heat issue.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 10 of 28
    catalystcatalyst Posts: 226member
    It's less prone to scratches right? I mean being a really reactive metal, aluminium reacts readily with oxygen in the air to form a non-porous, adherent layer of aluminium oxide...
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 11 of 28
    der kopfder kopf Posts: 2,275member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Gamblor

    How 'bout the NaBook? Explodes if you get it wet...





    Definitely NOT America's favorite prOnbook!
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 12 of 28
    lucaluca Posts: 3,833member
    Actually a NaBook would tarnish if it touched air. To keep the finish nice and shiny like pure sodium, you'd have to encase it in oil
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 13 of 28
    paulpaul Posts: 5,278member
    the big one is the 802.11b/g interference with Ti and not with Al
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 14 of 28
    applemasterapplemaster Posts: 144member
    Thanks everyone for answering my question. It just seemed strange because the change was very hush-hush as opposed to the giant titanium fuss. I'm glad to hear that it's just as good if not better than Titanium...
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 15 of 28
    jcjc Posts: 342member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by catalyst

    It's less prone to scratches right? I mean being a really reactive metal, aluminium reacts readily with oxygen in the air to form a non-porous, adherent layer of aluminium oxide...



    on the TI it was the paint that would scratch. The Ai does scratch though not as bad as the Ti because the AI IS NOT PAINTED.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 16 of 28
    jcjc Posts: 342member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by T'hain Esh Kelch

    Its better vs. the heat issue.



    I dont think so., my Ti did not seem to get very hot. At best the Ai is as good. All though i will say that the fan hardly ever comes on
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 17 of 28
    lucaluca Posts: 3,833member
    Perhaps it's because the aluminum transmits the heat, while the titanium insulates it? So maybe the aluminum feels warmer to the touch, but that's because the heat is escaping through the entire machine, rather than building up inside to be expelled by the fan only. Is that right? Or am I way off?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 18 of 28
    jcjc Posts: 342member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Luca Rescigno

    Perhaps it's because the aluminum transmits the heat, while the titanium insulates it? So maybe the aluminum feels warmer to the touch, but that's because the heat is escaping through the entire machine, rather than building up inside to be expelled by the fan only. Is that right? Or am I way off?



    Sounds possible and I hope your right. i know that the 12" pb has alot more heat issues. the 17 has such a large footprint the components are spread out much more which also helps cooling.



    I know that aluminum is cheaper. but, this does not look like cheap aluminum. It is hard anadized and is the craftmanship is amazing. My dad worked as a machinest and literally helped to put stuff on the moon so i am not easily empressed.



    the one critical thing i can say is that the hinge on the screen does not hold its position well enough for me. I wish it was a little bit stiffer. Hey, i am not saying that the screen doesnt stay where most people would want to put it.its a minor thing and other than that its perfect.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 19 of 28
    junkyard dawgjunkyard dawg Posts: 2,801member
    Aluminum also conducts heat better than Ti, so instead of a single hot spot, the heat is dispersed. More comfortable for the user.



    More interstingly, it seems that aluminum would help cool the CPU better...probably Apple is planning ahead for either hotter G4s, or even a PPC 970. Or even dual CPUs. My vote goes for the PPC 970 Powerbooks.



     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 20 of 28
    catalystcatalyst Posts: 226member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by JC

    on the TI it was the paint that would scratch. The Ai does scratch though not as bad as the Ti because the AI IS NOT PAINTED.



    Thanks for clearing that up!
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
Sign In or Register to comment.