Apple uses black in their design language, but they don't typically do finishes, paints, or coatings (with the single exception of the coloured iPods).
Even though it would be infinitely harder to accomplish, I would believe this more if they had found a way to make the metal itself black, as opposed to coating/anodising.
The Ti-Books were painted and not exactly perfectly durable. And I wouldn't call anodising coating (which is what the coloured Al-iPods are), technically is not adding another layer ('a coat'), it is modifying the material itself.
One thing is for sure, the original MacBook is dead. In fact, I believe now is a good time to just call the MacBook Air the new MacBook because the price and performance levels fi in just the right place in Apple's notebook lineup. It's truly hard to suggest to anyone that the white MacBook is a good idea, with the thinness of the 11" Air at the same price and the solid performance and build quality of the 13" Pro just $200 away.
The MacBook is still a great value for entry level laptops. OK, it needs a processor upgrade ASAP. But the whole point of the MacBook is to be cheap. Add $200 and that defeats the point...And anyways, comparing 13" to 13", the MBA is $300 more for less storage and a slower processor.
Implying their terrible Photoshop job is any sort of representation whatsoever of how it will actually look.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cloudgazer
Interesting, when did PC laptops start to copy the Mac keyboards?
Well, if you believe Apple had the first chicklet keyboard, they started in the 70s. Which creates problems, since Apple DIDN'T have the first keyboard like that.
Well, if you believe Apple had the first chicklet keyboard, they started in the 70s. Which creates problems, since Apple DIDN'T have the first keyboard like that.
As usual, Apple was not the FIRST in the history of human beings to do something. But I think it's fairly well accepted that they POPULARIZED the "chiclet keyboard inside a recessed well" look that has become popular since 2007/2008.
You don't see too many of those before the 2006 MacBook. I'm sure you could find an exception, but they didn't really exist in large numbers.
The Ti-Books were painted and not exactly perfectly durable. And I wouldn't call anodising coating (which is what the coloured Al-iPods are), technically is not adding another layer ('a coat'), it is modifying the material itself.
Yeah, it's a vague area and I'm by no means sure.
It would probably be more accurate to say they don't do finishes and coatings unless it doesn't *look* like a finish or coating. Their whole design approach is semi-brutalist and definitely focussed on honest materials, but as long as the product appears that way to the end user, they are not above using deception (invisible coatings etc.).
This is correct that the macbook pros will be offered in different colors, probably just black to start. This is NOT a paint finish, it's actually die mixed into the metal composition of the new "liquid metal" rights apple has purchased (which I don't know enough about)
It would probably be more accurate to say they don't do finishes and coatings unless it doesn't *look* like a finish or coating.
Closer, but I think I would say that it's more that it shouldn't feel like a finish. Consider the silver anodized finish that is common to MBPs and MBAs - it's also one of the possible finishes on the iPod classic, but there it's contrasted directly with a high-gloss metal back.
As a result it clearly looks finished, whereas on the MBP/MBA it's easier to imagine that it isn't - however because it's anodized and not painted it still feels like metal - cold to the touch, and slick. The problem with most finishes and coats are that they feel kinda nasty - the HTC desire's rubber coating may be practical but I wanted to put it down as fast as possible after picking it up.
Edit: Same on the 1st Gen iPhone btw. Metal back with silver anodize finish, directly touching a highly polished metal rim. The finish on the back is very obviously to the eye, but not to the hand.
This is correct that the macbook pros will be offered in different colors, probably just black to start. This is NOT a paint finish, it's actually die mixed into the metal composition of the new "liquid metal" rights apple has purchased (which I don't know enough about)
I don't think that the 'LiquidMetal' tech allows for dye throughout the metal, it's certainly not mentioned on their website. Anyway, as yet there's no evidence that Apple are intending to use Liquidmetal for their macbook enclosure - their only patents that mention it are for fuel cells
These new MacBook Airs are shaping up to the most revolutionary and magical yet. Genuinely cannot wait to flash my credit card in the direction of Apple.
Comments
Apple uses black in their design language, but they don't typically do finishes, paints, or coatings (with the single exception of the coloured iPods).
Even though it would be infinitely harder to accomplish, I would believe this more if they had found a way to make the metal itself black, as opposed to coating/anodising.
The Ti-Books were painted and not exactly perfectly durable. And I wouldn't call anodising coating (which is what the coloured Al-iPods are), technically is not adding another layer ('a coat'), it is modifying the material itself.
That's a horrible mock-up image of the "black" Air. The shadow/reflection underneath looks like the laptop is extremely bloated.
I think the actual product would look NICE though!
Haha yes. On the MacBook Air black, even the USB ports and shadows will be darker!
Not to be snobby, but come on. Instant alpha is built into Preview for goodness sake!
Three quarters of a year of black-only iPhones was not enough of black?
They should make an all-glass MBA.
enjoy!
A black model? Like this one?
That looks disgusting, I hope it doesn't look like that. I don't like those vertical lines in the metal. Smooth would look much better.
A black model? Like this one?
Interesting, when did PC laptops start to copy the Mac keyboards? Macs have only had that style of keyboard since what, 2008?
One thing is for sure, the original MacBook is dead. In fact, I believe now is a good time to just call the MacBook Air the new MacBook because the price and performance levels fi in just the right place in Apple's notebook lineup. It's truly hard to suggest to anyone that the white MacBook is a good idea, with the thinness of the 11" Air at the same price and the solid performance and build quality of the 13" Pro just $200 away.
The MacBook is still a great value for entry level laptops. OK, it needs a processor upgrade ASAP. But the whole point of the MacBook is to be cheap. Add $200 and that defeats the point...And anyways, comparing 13" to 13", the MBA is $300 more for less storage and a slower processor.
I want Blue Dalmatian!
+1 on that!!
(I know the wife would LOVE it)
I doubt this.
Implying their terrible Photoshop job is any sort of representation whatsoever of how it will actually look.
Interesting, when did PC laptops start to copy the Mac keyboards?
Well, if you believe Apple had the first chicklet keyboard, they started in the 70s. Which creates problems, since Apple DIDN'T have the first keyboard like that.
Interesting, when did PC laptops start to copy the Mac keyboards? Macs have only had that style of keyboard since what, 2008?
I believe the 2006 Core Duo MacBook was the first MacBook to have the chiclet keyboard inside a recessed well. Someone correct me if I'm wrong
Well, if you believe Apple had the first chicklet keyboard, they started in the 70s. Which creates problems, since Apple DIDN'T have the first keyboard like that.
As usual, Apple was not the FIRST in the history of human beings to do something. But I think it's fairly well accepted that they POPULARIZED the "chiclet keyboard inside a recessed well" look that has become popular since 2007/2008.
You don't see too many of those before the 2006 MacBook. I'm sure you could find an exception, but they didn't really exist in large numbers.
Here we go. 2 minutes in photoshop:
enjoy!
Huh? Someone turn out the lights?
The Ti-Books were painted and not exactly perfectly durable. And I wouldn't call anodising coating (which is what the coloured Al-iPods are), technically is not adding another layer ('a coat'), it is modifying the material itself.
Yeah, it's a vague area and I'm by no means sure.
It would probably be more accurate to say they don't do finishes and coatings unless it doesn't *look* like a finish or coating. Their whole design approach is semi-brutalist and definitely focussed on honest materials, but as long as the product appears that way to the end user, they are not above using deception (invisible coatings etc.).
It would probably be more accurate to say they don't do finishes and coatings unless it doesn't *look* like a finish or coating.
Closer, but I think I would say that it's more that it shouldn't feel like a finish. Consider the silver anodized finish that is common to MBPs and MBAs - it's also one of the possible finishes on the iPod classic, but there it's contrasted directly with a high-gloss metal back.
As a result it clearly looks finished, whereas on the MBP/MBA it's easier to imagine that it isn't - however because it's anodized and not painted it still feels like metal - cold to the touch, and slick. The problem with most finishes and coats are that they feel kinda nasty - the HTC desire's rubber coating may be practical but I wanted to put it down as fast as possible after picking it up.
Edit: Same on the 1st Gen iPhone btw. Metal back with silver anodize finish, directly touching a highly polished metal rim. The finish on the back is very obviously to the eye, but not to the hand.
This is correct that the macbook pros will be offered in different colors, probably just black to start. This is NOT a paint finish, it's actually die mixed into the metal composition of the new "liquid metal" rights apple has purchased (which I don't know enough about)
I don't think that the 'LiquidMetal' tech allows for dye throughout the metal, it's certainly not mentioned on their website. Anyway, as yet there's no evidence that Apple are intending to use Liquidmetal for their macbook enclosure - their only patents that mention it are for fuel cells
http://www.cultofmac.com/apple-is-gr...xclusive/75486