“The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a new patent application from Apple this week entitled ‘Reinforced Device Housing,'” Hughes reports. “Discovered by AppleInsider, [it] describes an outer shell for electronic devices composed of a ‘layered fiber-in-matrix type material, such as CFRP,’ otherwise known as carbon fiber-reinforced polymer.”
Hughes reports, “Illustrations that accompany the filing show a single, unibody housing similar in shape to the iPad. Apple’s current, first-generation iPad has a solid aluminum back.”
Full article here.
i assumed magnesium was the case of the future
look at what alien ware are up to
…maybe not
I wonder how recyclable carbon fiber is.
@HMV: It’s carbon. We can recycle them into new humans.
Where’s my Transparent Aluminum!!
It will be light as he’ll but cost a fortune to buy, Iphone 5
What is certain is that the iPad would be much more convenient to use as a handheld device if it weighed less.
Hmm…didn’t Dell and Compaq go this cheap plastic route with their computers?
I wonder how Apple is going to command premium prices for cheap plastic casings?
Unless Apple plans on bringing the price down? Lower prices with lower costs per unit, means more sales and a rising stock price.
Stay tuned!
Had my iPad since May… pretty sure weight has never been an issue.
What about liquid metal?
Good. Get the weight down. My first impression of the iPad was, “It’s too heavy.” For a laptop, you can call it light, but for a 100% hand-held device, it’s too heavy.
Carbon fiber. Interesting thread, this is.
@Bunches of Munches:
Carbon fiber is NOT cheap plastic. The real stuff, at least. There are lots of cheap plastic “carbon fiber look” products out there, such as some iPhone cases, that are not real carbon fiber. Real carbon fiber is the material universally used now for the most high tech, state of the art racing yachts, such as America’s Cup boats. Also high end, high performance automobiles. Also now, the most expensive tripods are being made in carbon fiber. Expensive stuff, not easily crafted by machine. Usually hand crafted. Not sure how Apple would make it work but I long suspected that they might eventually go the carbon fiber route.
Good question, MEES, what about some liquid metal applications?
Aluminium is so much better for a lot of reasons, namely rigidity, texture and the ability to be recycled. It was only a year or two ago when Apple was blowing its horn about the unibody production process and now they are abandoning it because the iPad is too heavy for some people?! Maybe the exercise will do them good.
This jut may be an exercise for Apple, they have documented many things in the past like this.
Although what about the heat dissipation of Aluminum? I thought it was being used for several reasons?
Hmmm?
-Pi
Usually hand crafted. Not sure how Apple would make it work…
A billion nearly starving Chinese with small fingers and you ask that question?
Apple chose aluminum and will never stoop to a cheaper looking material like their competition. Never going to happen. Those who complain that the iPad is heavy are idiots plain and simple. Also, the patent filing shows that Apple abandoned this idea, period.
“It was only a year or two ago when Apple was blowing its horn about the unibody production process and now they are abandoning it because the iPad is too heavy for some people?! Maybe the exercise will do them good.” —Sol
A very ignorant and insensitive thing to say, dude.
How can you girly boys think 1.5 lbs is too heavy?
To heavy?
Try this:
http://www.amazon.com/Dumbbells-Strength-Training-Equipment/b?ie=UTF8&node=3408401
The biggest concern with using carbon fibre for an enclosure of an electronic device like the iPad or iPhone would be heat dissipation. Carbon fibre would seem to be more of an insulator.
This is why Apple developed the uni-body cases for the MacBook Pro lineup and the iDevices… the cases are big heat sinks.
Somehow I feel that the case is not the weight in the iPad. My guess would be that the glass and the batteries are most of the weight. So a lighter shell would not be that important.
But I have learned not to question Apple. When there were early rumors of the unibody, I thought they were absurd. (blushing)