May 22, 2013 - 04:00 PM EDT — AAPL: 441.354 (+1.694, +0.39%) | NASDAQ: 3498.965 (+33.722, +0.97%)

Apple looks to make next-gen MacBook Air, MacBook Pro even thinner

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 · 6:02 pm · 33 Comments

“Apple will reduce the thickness of light guide plates for the illuminated keyboards in its MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models from 0.4mm currently to 0.25mm in 2013, according to sources in Apple’s supply chain,” Jack Purcher reports for Patently Apple.

“Apple currently sources light guide plates mainly from Japan-based NJK and Taiwan-based Global Lighting Technologies, with the former using an injection process and the latter a extrusion process, the sources noted,” Purcher reports.

Read more in the full article here.

Categories: News

Tags: Global Lighting Technologies, illuminated keyboards, MacBook Air, macbook pro

Thank You for supporting MacDailyNews!

 Apple 13.3" MacBook Air dual-core Intel Core i7 2.0GHz, 8GB RAM, 512GB Flash Storage, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Mac OS X Lion (Z0ND-20GHZ8GB512) only $2,159.99
 Secret Sale Exclusive for MacMall Valued Customers Only
 Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro (with Retina display) quad-core Intel Core i7 2.3GHz/16GB RAM/256GB FS/IntelHD Graphics4000/OS X Lion (Z0MK-15-2.3-16-256RT) only $2,333.99
 Apple Blowouts: Up to $649 OFF on Last Gen Macs. Prices start at $1,999.99 w/ Free Upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion & Free FedEx Overnight ends 02/08 6:15PM PST.
 Apple 13.3" MacBook Pro dual-core Intel Core i7 2.9GHz, 8GB RAM, 750GB 5400-rpm hard drive, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Ships with Mountain Lion (MD102LL/A) only $1,419.97

Comment Feed

33 Comments

Mo

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:07 pm · Reply

How much thinner can they get it? Obviously, there’s still room to go. Way to go Jony. Just don’t use iPhone materials.
- Moof
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:15 pm · Reply
  
  Sorry, it’s already aluminum.
  - Mo
    
    Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:26 pm · Reply
    
    Yes, Moof, but it uses aluminum that doesn’t scratch as badly as the new iPhone. Hello, wake up, get with the program.
    - Rorschach
      
      Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 7:28 pm · Reply
      
      So do what a sensible person does; get clear front and back protectors, a pack of 10 is a couple of bucks or so. No scratches then.
    - Moof
      
      Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 9:55 pm · Reply
      
      Pretty sure it would scratch just as much if you put it in your pocket with your keys, etc (although it might be less noticeable since it’s not anodized a different color).
    - Polymath
      
      Thursday, September 27, 2012 - 9:35 am · Reply
      
      I’m pretty sure my MacBook Pro scratches just as easily. Unless there is a difference in the type of Aluminum being used? Of course on a !acNook Pro the scratches reveal the same color as the surface so they aren’t as noticeable.
TomInTulsa

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:11 pm · Reply

I love this “Obvious news” and in further updates

1) Sources confirm Apple working on upgrade to iPhone 5 may be called iPhone 5S or iPhone6
2) Apple said to be working up update to maps application.
3) Apple now worth 37 times Dell’s market share

Why do I even check – I know what the “news” will be ><
- Polymath
  
  Thursday, September 27, 2012 - 9:37 am · Reply
  
  4) Aluminum scratches easier than glass.
BtN

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:13 pm · Reply

I think they are getting to the point where thinner doesn’t really matter as much. I would rather they use the extra room for a larger battery or extra hard drive bay.
- Larry
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:33 pm · Reply
  
  Agreed. It’s just to better the Ultrabook.
  
  The iMac is likely next to drop its optical drive and finish Apple’s craze for thin.
  - riwaterman
    
    Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 8:07 pm · Reply
    
    “better the ultrabook”
    ?????
    
    the macbook airs are already better than any ultrabook.
    
    and where do you think the ultrabook ideas came from ?? – Apple’s macbook air
- riwaterman
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 8:05 pm · Reply
  
  how do you know at this point that they are not using the extra room for a larger battery?
  
  It is too early to guess at any of this stuff.
Demetrio

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:17 pm · Reply

Apple y’all should make the MacBook pro air with a DVD drive then u well get more people buying it and keep it at this price $500 dollars and I will buy it my mom said she going to get me a MacBook pro or air but it is like $1200 my mom not going to pay that price so can u put the new one to $500 dollars please
- MikeK
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:24 pm · Reply
  
  This may make sense with punctuation. As is, I’ve no idea what you are saying.
- Thanks for playing
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:46 pm · Reply
  
  1) As soon as you add a DVD drive, the computer gets much thicker. i.e. not an “Air”. Adding a DVD drive also will not somehow reduce the price by $700
  
  2) DVDs are not really needed anymore. For almost anything a DVD drive would be used for, there is a better alternative. Flash drives for quick storage or backup, downloads for music, movies and software. Some pros with a lot of legacy DVD need might use the DVD drive more than once a month, but you probably won’t.
  
  3) If you or your mom isn’t going to spend more than $500, you aren’t going to get a portable Mac. Not a new one, anyway.
  
  4) You do know this isn’t a customer request line for Apple, right?
- Demetrio
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:48 pm · Reply
  
  Apple yall should make a MacBook air with a DVD drive and the price $500 dollars and have it out before November first please who agree’s with me
  - ashoka
    
    Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 7:36 pm · Reply
    
    No One !
    ‘Cause it is not possible !!
  - Tom
    
    Thursday, September 27, 2012 - 3:19 am · Reply
    
    DVD drive is an anacronism. Better (even if somewhat bigger) battery performance is not. Take out the DVD player and put in battery perormance.
  - Jean Poole
    
    Thursday, September 27, 2012 - 9:14 am · Reply
    
    Demetrio, I believe you’re fishing in the wrong place.
Apple is Always Right

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:23 pm · Reply

and lighter too? Remove the ports? Like a wifi hub?
predictable analytics…. if not happens, the stock falls. get out.
blogs = internet cancer
omalansky

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:31 pm · Reply

So the new models will be almost six ten-thousandths of an inch thinner? Awesome! Irresistible!
NCG598

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:42 pm · Reply

The models released this year will be followed by a new series of vacuum formed models that produces no airspace. The computer thickness will be based on the thickness of the boards or batteries.
bataylor

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6:55 pm · Reply

ok…really…what’s the point of thinner. at a certain point it becomes diminishing returns..and a Saturday Night Live skit.

me thinks the mighty Apphole is obsessing over design and style instead of functionality and fashion.

If it gets any thinner it’ll be an iPad. and the snake will have begun to eat its tail…or for you hick nerds..the nascar will lap itself..actually that might be pretty cool to see
- Michael
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 7:03 pm · Reply
  
  Apple is not afraid to canabalize itself
- DogGoneToo
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 7:37 pm · Reply
  
  Plenty of reasons to get thinner and lighter. Also don’t forgot this type of R&D helps create new products because new techniques make more things possible.
  - btaylor
    
    Thursday, September 27, 2012 - 6:51 am · Reply
    
    Now this is a reasonable intelligent response…unlike Rorsack below.
- Rorschach
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 7:41 pm · Reply
  
  “me thinks the mighty Apphole is obsessing over design and style instead of functionality and fashion.”
  If you weren’t such an asshole, you’d know Apple have ALWAYS obsessed over design, style AND function, but never fashion. Only the likes of Samsung worry about fashion, but you wouldn’t know dick about that, would you?
First 2012, aw I give up

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 8:06 pm · Reply

It needs to be thin enough that I might roll it up and shove it up my anus, and light enough so I might then float home and thereby save on cab fare.
John

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 11:14 pm · Reply

Who cares about thinner laptops. Can there be a 17″? With a brighter retina screen? current screen is 20% less bright. Totally noticable. That was probably to extend bat life. Thus thinner. Get me longer battery life. Bigger screen. I want to be mobile without a torturous iPad keyboard. Typing with thumbs is silly.
- botvinnik
  
  Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 11:23 pm · Reply
  
  I think we all know the location of your thumb.
edward

Thursday, September 27, 2012 - 5:22 am · Reply

well, they can do it. but I am afraid of being torn apart like paper. hurt! making thinner is not important anymore because most devices are relatively thin nowadays. making it stronger, and solid for damage. I heard that apple thinks about carbon fiber for material. who knows?
btaylor

Thursday, September 27, 2012 - 6:49 am · Reply

hahahaaaaa…me likes upsetting the Appholes!! score one for me. thank you. drive safely…just don’t do it with Apphole Mappziz als I’m sayin’
MacFreek

Thursday, September 27, 2012 - 11:36 am · Reply

iAnorexia. The thinner these devices get the less user serviceable they likely will become. The innards will be glued and soldered to the point that upgrading will require repurchasing.