Apple to Adopt Carbon Fiber for Lighter MacBook Air?
AppleInsider claims that Apple has been looking into replacing aluminum parts with carbon fiber parts in an effort to make the MacBook Air even lighter than it presently is.
Apple is expected to keep the upper aluminum chasis of the MacBook Air, but may replace the bottom cover with one constructed from carbon fiber. This could trim the notebooks weight from slightly over 3 pounds to 2.78 pounds.
The rumor site believes the shift could happen as early as next year.
Apple enthusiastically claimed ownership to the world's thinnest notebook earlier this year with the introduction of the MacBook Air, but is rumored to be unsatisfied with the system's weight, which it now hopes to drop below 3 pounds.
Carbon fiber is described as an extremely lightweight material that is exceptionally strong.Apple is expected to keep the upper aluminum chasis of the MacBook Air, but may replace the bottom cover with one constructed from carbon fiber. This could trim the notebooks weight from slightly over 3 pounds to 2.78 pounds.
The rumor site believes the shift could happen as early as next year.
Top Rated Comments
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42 months ago
I hope it doesn't look two-tone at all. If you can't tell a difference, then this could be a good thing.
42 months ago
That would be pretty sweet looks-wise, especially if they went all out and did the whole case in carbon fiber. Raw carbon fiber is a pretty neat look - that I personally haven't seen before. The lightness/rigidness would be a plus as well.
- Chris
- Chris
42 months ago
Hmmmm, Carbon Fibre - Now that sounds like a cheap alternative to aluminium!:D
42 months ago
Good god apple no!!
Will won't dissipate heat as well and i thought they were determined to make it recyclable - i don't think carbon fibre is very recyclable!
Will won't dissipate heat as well and i thought they were determined to make it recyclable - i don't think carbon fibre is very recyclable!
42 months ago
Very cool! I wonder what the cost difference would be. Of course if they cut it to a 10" screen, it may weigh even less...?
42 months ago
Wow, it'll make the Air lighter than some netbooks.
I also hope it won't be two-tone. And also hope they'll update the Air to match the other new notebooks, it looks out of place now (like the 17").
I also hope it won't be two-tone. And also hope they'll update the Air to match the other new notebooks, it looks out of place now (like the 17").
42 months ago
Its strong but the plastic coating on it cracks fairly easily, and is expensive to replace.
plus theres other factors like heat, how it looks, being able to shape each macbook the same exact way etc.
but its edinately possible
plus theres other factors like heat, how it looks, being able to shape each macbook the same exact way etc.
but its edinately possible
42 months ago
Would the loss in heat dissipation be worth the amount of weight lost? I think aluminum is light enough - for now.
42 months ago
Hmmmm, Carbon Fibre - Now that sounds like a cheap alternative to aluminium!:D
In American...
Carbon Fiber, a cheap alternative to Aluminum.... :D
Did you think Apple copied from the NetBook? I think those are cheaper materials for lighter weight/lower costs...
Maybe this will help lower the price of the Air?
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