macnn/electronista
10/08/2008, 4:55pm, EDT
Wednesday, October 8thPhoto of alleged 'brick'-based MacBook Pro emerges
A photo of a new, upcoming MacBook Pro has been leaked online, a report claims. The model is described by Engadget as part of an upcoming refresh, and said to be based on a rumored "brick" manufacturing process, in which notebooks would be formed out of a single block of metal, using water and lasers to carve out details. This would potentially have a number of benefits for Apple, including greater durability and a reduced need for seams and screws.
The computer in the photo appears to have been hollowed-out, and is missing not only its keyboard but its internals and base. Some aspects of the chassis still appear to require separate assembly, as the ports on the side are part of a second unit. It is unclear whether the Mac is genuinely made out of metal, or again uses a mix of metal and plastic.
Filed under: computers, Apple
Other story tags: MacBook, MacBook Pro, brick
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Good
Every aluminium Mac I have seen is bending at the joins so eliminating these would help.
woot
Finally, some space between the F-keys and the top row of numbers. Praise Jebus. This looks like it might be a regular MacBook, rather than a MBP, unless they've ditched the full-size DVI port for a mini one and dropped FW400 entirely...
Photoshop
I do not normally scream "photoshop". But there are some things that dont look right:
1: Look above the sound-input port. See the light line in the pic? Now look at the outer most line of the grille, seems to not line up right. The right side seems shifted inside.
2: Starting above the left USB port, just look at the edge. It seems there is a gradient issue of it as you go from the port towards the back of the casing.
3: Look at the area where the keyboard and case meet. In the lip of the keyboard "tray" there is a rather visible white line from front to back. Its closer to the grille than the keyboard area but before the edge of the lip.
4: This I am not sure of, but on other forums no one knows what the far right port is for, the one after the USB ports. Its too small for any video plug that apple has used. The smallest, like on the MB Air, is just slightly smaller than a USB port.
upgrades?
hopefully this doesn't make it even more ridiculously difficult to upgrade the hard disk on the macbook pro
Chiclets... and fake?
This would confirm "chiclet" keys for sure, though I'm not sure the picture is real.Someone should do "vanishing point" and resolution analysis to check for sloppy photoshop work, especially on the keys. The top left corner of the embedded keyboard looks like it just got touched up with the burn tool, as opposed to actually being embedded.
Loch Ness Monster
It's like the photos of UFO's and the Loch Ness monster. Why is it always just an out of focus side shot. I mean if you have a camera and the thing is right in front of you, just take a decent photo. Why so cryptic?In any case, the edges look a little too boxy and hard for me. If they are really using a new whiz bang technique surely there would be some lovely curves or something to show off the technique and truly differentiate it from the rest.
And...
How is this different than the current cases? They moved the ports to the UPPER half, thats all.
re: Photoshop
This is NOT "Photoshoped"... I've worked in Photoshop for about 15 years and can tell you this is a photo with minimal or non-existent Photoshop work.
It also fits all the rumors and other facts about Apple's new manufacturing process.
I'm glad Apple is advancing their case design. I HATE the current MacBook Pro latch and seams (especially around the DVD drive). This will be a big advancement to cost, durability, and all-around appearance. Great job Apple!