A recent patent filing suggests Apple is considering making its computer enclosures from a carbon fibre-like material instead of aluminium in the future, drastically reducing weight while maintaining strength and rigidity.
The new filing, uncovered by the Mac addicts at AppleInsider, shows that Apple has found a method for creating a carbon fibre composite, formed of carbon fibre and thermosetting resin, that can be successfully moulded into the sort of shapes required for laptop and desktop enclosures.
So why not use regular carbon fibre? Well, according to the filing Apple found its appearance too variable and too black to deliver the sort of cosmetic quality it needs from its products. The composite, on the other hand, takes on the visual properties of resin, delivering a more consistent, more aesthetically appealing appearance.
While this isn’t the first time we’ve heard carbon fibre and Macs mentioned in the same breath (there were rumours of a carbon fibre MacBook Air circulating back in January), we’d be surprised if we see any models appearing for a while. After all, aluminium has served Apple well in recent times, and they’ve only just perfected their “Brick” production method used in the MacBook range and LED Cinema Display.
Out TBC | £TBC | Apple (via AppleInsider)
Tags: Apple, carbon fibre, patent, rumour