“The blogosphere just won’t let go of the idea that Apple is on the verge of using Liquidmetal technology in one of its products,” Adrian Kingsley-Hughes reports for ZDNet. “Last week it was the iPhone 5 that was going to get the Liquidmetal treatment, and now it’s rumored to be a feature of the MacBook Pro 2012 refresh.”
“I like the idea of a Liquidmetal MacBook Pro — or for that matter any portable — more than I do the idea of making the back of an iPhone out of the material,” Kingsley-Hughes reports. “The first reason is production. Casting is normally a much quicker process machining parts, and this gives the Liquidmetal chassis an advantage over how Apple currently manufactures parts for portable systems.”
Kingsley-Hughes reports, “Another reason for switching from aluminum to Liquidmetal is that portables have to deal with countless bumps, scratches and abrasion on a daily basis. Liquidmetal would certainly offer a system far greater protection than aluminum does, and keep the hardware looking better for a lot longer.”
Read more in the full article here.
John Brownlee reports for Cult of Mac, “An ex Liquidmetal exec thought Apple would make iPhones out of it. A source speaking to MacTrast, though, says that Apple’s Liquidmetal investment won’t debut in the iOS line, but instead in March’s MacBook Pro refresh… which looks like a far more radical redesign than previously suspected.”
“Since Liquidmetal is both stronger and lighter than aluminum, a Liquidmetal MacBook Pro could be up to 20% lighter than current models,” Brownlee reports. “That means the 13-inch Pro will weigh only 3.7 pounds (down from 4.5),while the 15-inch will slim down to 4.6 pounds (from 5.8) and the 17-inch to 5.3 pounds (from 6.6).”
Brownlee reports, “Additionally, the report says that Apple has managed to improve battery life by up to 20% over current models, while simultaneously lowering power consumption thanks to a new type of display. Combined, this might drastically increase the already impressive battery life of the MacBook Pro line.”
Read more in the full article here.
Related articles:
A Liquidmetal iPhone 5: What’s in it for You – April 23, 2012
Apple’s next-gen iPhone may be baptized in Liquidmetal – April 20, 2012
Ceramics, Liquidmetal and Magic Glass, what could Apple’s iPhone 5 tempt us with next? – April 20, 2012
Apple’s iPhone 5 made of metallic glass reportedly arrives this October – April 20, 2012
Apple’s next-gen iPhone: Thinner, lighter, faster – and poured? – April 19, 2012
How Liquidmetal could give the next iPhone its special swagger – April 19, 2012
Apple’s next-gen iPhone main body to shift from Gorilla Glass to Liquidmetal, say industry sources – April 18, 2012
Liquidmetal Technologies filing outlines its multimillion dollar agreement with Apple – March 31, 2012
Apple granted its first Liquidmetal patent – January 5, 2011
Apple patent application describes scratch-resistant stainless steel – October 29, 2010
Join the dots on six future Apple technologies – September 22, 2010
Apple already using Liquidmetal in their… – August 17, 2010
Inventor says Liquidmetal may be used for new iPhone antenna – August 13, 2010
Apple already uses Liquidmetal; Guess which product and win a Magic Trackpad – August 13, 2010
How will Apple use their exclusive Liquidmetal alloy? – August 12, 2010
Apple’s exclusive Liquidmetal pact could see future Apple products encased in metallic glass – August 11, 2010
Apple inks deal for exclusive rights to custom, super-durable metal alloy – August 09, 2010
“… but it can form solid metal shapes.. like knives and stabbing weapons.”
Liquid metal + Siri == apocalypse.
Tim Cook totally needs to shoot a hole in it and it have it reform into a laptop.
I feel like the new rumor generator is using the following formula: to be redesigned with liquid metal.
What’s next? Steve Jobs’ coffin was made of liquid metal?
“but instead in March’s MacBook Pro refresh”
So, are they talking about Next Year? Because March 2012 is done and gone with no updates of any type.
Not only that, so has March 2011. Which is when the Cult of Mac post was published…
cost of production?
If the cost of production could be right, then this rumour is much more sensible than nonsense hearsay about possible use in iPhone.
RUMOR: Apple’s new Cupertino Spaceship office complex to be built completely from liquid metal!!
It will also incorporate a new chipset from a company called Skynet…
Was thinking the same thing. First the ‘in- house’ chip design, then liquidmetal. Apple has a terminator from the future stashed somewhere in their labs.
Actually, he’s in control. That’s why Disney’s “John Conner” bombed…
John Carter, actually.
Come on, play along with him…
Just curious….
Would the liquidmetal mfg process allow for a really good molded subwoofer/2.1 system in the base/display housing?
I remember the, what was it the 500 series powerbooks? Those sounded very good. Unfortunately they were before Apple owned media distribution as they do now.
I know this may seem trivial but I really miss the built in handle of the Clamshell Ibook. That case was very durable as well. Everybody seemed to think it was a toy!… But was a very trick arrangement.
Any thoughts??….
Fine-after yesterday’s rumor that the 17″ MBP WILL be cancelled, here’s TODAY’S LATEST!!! rumor saying the 17″ MBP WON’T be cancelled.
My new teeth will be made of liquid metal
“Gonna rob myself a Shenzen shop and get me a grill…”
Maybe they’re going to actually make them out of liquid metal, which thinking about it could make them cooler on your legs than some past Apple laptops 🙂
“March”?
This is getting silly. Which is it? Air, liquid, or metal?
Oh. I see. It’s air, made of liquid metal.
That article promises some pretty radical changes.
Seriously, show me a new MacBook Pro in 15 & 17 inch form, with retina display, surround sound, made of liquid metal, with a drive bay that can accept hard drives, ssd, or optical, with price points starting at $1540, and I will STFU about Cookiewuss.
I just somehow think we’re more likely to get the MacBook Pro-S, with faster processor, surround sound, and new Apple Vivid Color technology where the colors stay just as bright no matter which angle you stare at the screen from. No 17 inch model planned.