Magnesium iPod? PowerMacs at WWDC?

MacRumors · Jul 11, 2006, 04:15 PM

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American Technology Research Analyst, Shaw Wu, echoes sentiments that the new iPod nano will come in a new metal enclosure. Shaw Wu, however, specifically states that the new iPod nano cases will be made of magnesium rather than the aluminum. According to Wu, the new magnesium nanos are expected by October of this year.

While there had been rumors of Apple using magnesium alloys for their laptops in the past, the last notable computer enclosure built with magnesium was the NeXT Cube. In 1993, NeXTWORLD's Simson Garfinkel documented his (extensive) efforts at setting a NeXT Cube on fire. (image)

Meanwhile, Wu also reiterates that the Intel PowerMac revision is expected at WWDC on August 7th. He also holds out hope for more to come:

Quote:

Apple has already announced that it will preview Mac OS X 10.5. Mr. Wu says "With respect to Steve Jobs' track record and element of surprise, we are prepared to see something that no one anticipated."

poppe · Jul 11, 2006, 04:20 PM

So is magnesium more durable than Aluminum?

SteveRichardson · Jul 11, 2006, 04:21 PM

yeah whats the real difference between magnesium and aluminum?

Mac Fly (film) · Jul 11, 2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppe

So is magnesium more durable than Aluminum?

Is magnesium the main element in fireworks?

mozmac · Jul 11, 2006, 04:23 PM

Well, I'm waiting to be amazed. Apple has been pretty quiet in product releases as of late. I'd like to see an iPod that can play while on fire.

Zweben · Jul 11, 2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveRichardson

yeah whats the real difference between magnesium and aluminum?

Magnesium is flamible and burns VERY bright.

I can see it now: Do not smoke while using iPod.

poppe · Jul 11, 2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zweben

Magnesium is flamible and burns VERY bright.

I can see it now: Do not smoke while using iPod.

Oh yeah I remember lighting Magnesium on fire at school... Sweet. Hey ma got the new iFlame!

dr_lha · Jul 11, 2006, 04:25 PM

I had a laptop with a magnesium alloy case back in the days before I became a Mac Convert. It was a Sony VAIO 505-TR, and was a very nice light machine. One of the benefits of the magnesium case over the aluminium Powerbook case is the magnesium case never corroded like my 12" PB case has.

freeny · Jul 11, 2006, 04:26 PM

Everything burns and is flamable at the right temperature.

SteveRichardson · Jul 11, 2006, 04:26 PM

sweet. portable music player AND fireplace.

what more do you really need? ...save suffering 3rd degree burns.

monke · Jul 11, 2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mozmac

I'd like to see an iPod that can play while on fire.

Heck why stop there? Why not make it water proof, fire proof, hurricane and tornado proof, and even lightning proof

WildCowboy · Jul 11, 2006, 04:30 PM

For those who are interested in some of the advantages of magnesium, try this page. It's in reference to auto parts, but contains interesting general info.

Yes, magnesium is very flammable, but really only in finely powdered form.

chris200x9 · Jul 11, 2006, 04:32 PM

oh noes

I can just see someone doing there work on a mpb by candle light then the candle falls on the MPB and it burns....then the flames are so bright that the poor guy burns his retina's not a good idea..... I hope its not elemental magnesium that could cause some problems...

ipod nano oops really need to read better

MNSUGrad07 · Jul 11, 2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveRichardson

sweet. portable music player AND fireplace.

what more do you really need? ...save suffering 3rd degree burns.

Haha! That would come in handy, with these long cold Minnesota winters.

Anyway, anything would have to be more durable than the current Nano enclosures. I love my mini because of its casing, and have waited on picking up a new iPod until I see something more durable. I have no need for a 30-60GB iPod, the 4-6 GB's is the sweet spot for me personally.

thogs_cave · Jul 11, 2006, 04:32 PM

If the iPod gets much smaller and lighter I won't even know I'm carrying one. My nano is already at the "tiny and light" level that I like.

T-Reese · Jul 11, 2006, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mozmac

Well, I'm waiting to be amazed. Apple has been pretty quiet in product releases as of late. I'd like to see an iPod that can play while on fire.

HAHAHAH that made me laugh

joeboy_45101 · Jul 11, 2006, 04:40 PM

I have an ice cream scoop that's made out of this type of magnesium material it's a beautiful material. I actually talked about using this metal about a year or so ago. I also think that liquid metal titanium would be a beautiful material for the new MacBook Pros or Mac Pros

BornAgainMac · Jul 11, 2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iNeedtoSwitch

Heck why stop there? Why not make it water proof, fire proof, hurricane and tornado proof, and even lightning proof

Oh, you forgot scratch proof.

Tanglewood · Jul 11, 2006, 04:52 PM

Give me 5 years and I'll be buying these things in bulk off ebay to put in my New Year's Bonfire to replace the old magnesium VW engine blocks I use now.

Random Avenger · Jul 11, 2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildCowboy

For those who are interested in some of the advantages of magnesium, try this page. It's in reference to auto parts, but contains interesting general info.

Yes, magnesium is very flammable, but really only in finely powdered form.

What you people are failing to realize is that Aluminum in a finely powdered form is highly flammable too. In fact, it's the primary ingredient for solid rocket boosters.

FoxyKaye · 05:12 PM

Magnesium is also used for underwater and air flares. So, I suppose if you're out at sea and your diving lights go out, you could tinder the ol' iPod as an underwater torch. Or, maybe if you're being chased by heat-seeking missiles you could ignite your iPod and toss it out the window...

I'm sure whatever they do it will be fine, though...

chris200x9 · Jul 11, 2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Random Avenger

What you people are failing to realize is that Aluminum in a finely powdered form is highly flammable too. In fact, it's the primary ingredient for solid rocket boosters.

try lighting aluminum foil..... it won't burn try lighting a strip of magnesium and you have a light show lol

QCassidy352 · Jul 11, 2006, 05:07 PM

Let's get a grip here; apple is not going to make ipods that burst in to flames!

FoxyKaye · Jul 11, 2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QCassidy352

Let's get a grip here; apple is not going to make ipods that burst in to flames!

Oh, you're absolutely right. It's just fun to think about

7on · Jul 11, 2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveRichardson

yeah whats the real difference between magnesium and aluminum?

Right now aluminum prices have skyrocketed. I've heard stories of people stealing aluminum irrigation pipes down south (the thieves turn around and sell the AL).

Jul 11, 2006, 04:20 PM	#2
poppe macrumors 68000 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland Hills	So is magnesium more durable than Aluminum? __________________ In Stereo where supported

Jul 11, 2006, 04:23 PM	#5
mozmac macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: California, Utah, Colorado...wherever I happen to be at the moment	Well, I'm waiting to be amazed. Apple has been pretty quiet in product releases as of late. I'd like to see an iPod that can play while on fire. __________________ Blurt Daily: Opinion and More Opinion

Jul 11, 2006, 04:25 PM	#8
dr_lha macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2003	I had a laptop with a magnesium alloy case back in the days before I became a Mac Convert. It was a Sony VAIO 505-TR, and was a very nice light machine. One of the benefits of the magnesium case over the aluminium Powerbook case is the magnesium case never corroded like my 12" PB case has. __________________ Me: 1Ghz 12" PB and Mac mini Intel Core Solo 1.5Ghz, The Wife: 1.86Ghz CD MacBook, Me@Work: 2.66Ghz Mac Pro and a 2.33Ghz C2D 15" Mac Book Pro

Jul 11, 2006, 04:30 PM	#12
WildCowboy macrumors god Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: nowhere near the infinite loop anymore	For those who are interested in some of the advantages of magnesium, try this page. It's in reference to auto parts, but contains interesting general info. Yes, magnesium is very flammable, but really only in finely powdered form. __________________ 15" 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro -- 15" 1.67 GHz PowerBook -- 14" 1.2 GHz iBook

Jul 11, 2006, 04:32 PM	#13
chris200x9 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2006	oh no oh noes I can just see someone doing there work on a mpb by candle light then the candle falls on the MPB and it burns....then the flames are so bright that the poor guy burns his retina's not a good idea..... I hope its not elemental magnesium that could cause some problems... ipod nano oops really need to read better

Jul 11, 2006, 04:21 PM	#3
SteveRichardson macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA	yeah whats the real difference between magnesium and aluminum?

Jul 11, 2006, 04:26 PM	#9
freeny macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Location: Location:	Everything burns and is flamable at the right temperature.

Jul 11, 2006, 04:32 PM	#15
thogs_cave macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: State of Confusion	I dunno. If the iPod gets much smaller and lighter I won't even know I'm carrying one. My nano is already at the "tiny and light" level that I like. __________________ Mac user for 25 years and counting. "It's easier to try than prove it can't be done." -Moody Blues

Jul 11, 2006, 04:40 PM	#17
joeboy_45101 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: If the Midwest is the heart of America, then you don't want to know where the anus is.	I have an ice cream scoop that's made out of this type of magnesium material it's a beautiful material. I actually talked about using this metal about a year or so ago. I also think that liquid metal titanium would be a beautiful material for the new MacBook Pros or Mac Pros __________________ Mac OS X, so easy a caveman could use it! iPod made by Chinese children to benefit African children. [1]

Jul 11, 2006, 04:52 PM	#19
Tanglewood macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Diego, CA	Give me 5 years and I'll be buying these things in bulk off ebay to put in my New Year's Bonfire to replace the old magnesium VW engine blocks I use now. __________________ *"In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and is generally considered to have been a bad move."*

Jul 11, 2006, 04:56 PM	#21
FoxyKaye macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oakland, Terre d'Ange, Bas Lag	Magnesium is also used for underwater and air flares. So, I suppose if you're out at sea and your diving lights go out, you could tinder the ol' iPod as an underwater torch. Or, maybe if you're being chased by heat-seeking missiles you could ignite your iPod and toss it out the window... I'm sure whatever they do it will be fine, though... __________________ G5/2GHz iMac \| G3/600MHz iBook \| iPod 5G, 60GB \| 8GB CF modPod Mini The afternoon, born on the day of the sunlight streaming through the leaves. Last edited by FoxyKaye : Jul 11, 2006 at 05:12 PM.

Jul 11, 2006, 05:07 PM	#23
QCassidy352 Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Boston, MA	Let's get a grip here; apple is not going to make ipods that burst in to flames! __________________ "If Jesus Himself came back to earth and turned water to wine, half of MacRumors would say 'meh, this is red. I wanted white.'"

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