MBP's - how much thinner can they get?

sculley · Feb 26, 2008, 10:57 AM

I wonder how much smaller can the MBP's get? I think the reason the MBP form factor (aside from minor changes) has been with us for so long probably has a lot to do with how successful it has been vs. the TiBooks (and their broken hinges), and that fact that it is already quite thin compared to other laptops on the market - not that it matters much.

I don't know how thick the bottom half of the current models is because I'm at work on a PC, but given that current optical drives and HDD enclosures are 9.5mm thick and that a case needs to surround them, I don't imagine that they would be thinner than 10.5-11.5mm on the bottom half. Add to that the MBA's thinner screen design - it looks about 50% thinner - and we'd get a machine that was something like 13.5- 15mm thick all totaled? Does that sound about right? That would give us a MBP that is about .6 inches thick. That would be a significant decrease. Does anyone else think that this is feasible?

7even · Feb 26, 2008, 11:02 AM

I think the superdrive moved up a bit on the new model. It is now at the top edge of the bottom part. Seems like they're just itching to trim away some of the bottom haha

I think they can go a little thinner, but not by much..

Knolly · Feb 26, 2008, 11:11 AM

@7even
The Superdrive didn't move at all. The drive has always been in different places on the 15 and 17 inch models. You're probably seeing a picture of the 17 inch, which has the drive up at the top, and thinking it's a 15 inch model.

tip · Feb 26, 2008, 11:22 AM

Yeah, the top can be slimmed a bit, but then it would be oddly proportioned - that probably won't happen. It can't get really any thinner on the base either - you need to take other components into consideration (graphics card, side ports, etc.). The MBP is much slimmer compared to its competition. 0.6" is overly optimistic.

Tallest Skil · Feb 26, 2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7even

I think the superdrive moved up a bit on the new model. It is now at the top edge of the bottom part. Seems like they're just itching to trim away some of the bottom haha

I think they can go a little thinner, but not by much..

The 17 inch has always had the SuperDrive on the top.

7even · Feb 26, 2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knolly

@7even
The Superdrive didn't move at all. The drive has always been in different places on the 15 and 17 inch models. You're probably seeing a picture of the 17 inch, which has the drive up at the top, and thinking it's a 15 inch model.

Oh, my bad. Didn't notice that before, oops

BlizzardBomb · Feb 26, 2008, 11:30 AM

Another .1" or .2" could be shaved off, any more and we're going to be squeezing the biggest limiting factors - the 2.5" Hard Drive with a height of just under .4" and possibly the optical drive. The MacBook Air uses a 1.8" Hard Drive with a height of around .3".

Feb 26, 2008, 10:57 AM	#1
sculley macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2004	MBP's - how much thinner can they get? I wonder how much smaller can the MBP's get? I think the reason the MBP form factor (aside from minor changes) has been with us for so long probably has a lot to do with how successful it has been vs. the TiBooks (and their broken hinges), and that fact that it is already quite thin compared to other laptops on the market - not that it matters much. I don't know how thick the bottom half of the current models is because I'm at work on a PC, but given that current optical drives and HDD enclosures are 9.5mm thick and that a case needs to surround them, I don't imagine that they would be thinner than 10.5-11.5mm on the bottom half. Add to that the MBA's thinner screen design - it looks about 50% thinner - and we'd get a machine that was something like 13.5- 15mm thick all totaled? Does that sound about right? That would give us a MBP that is about .6 inches thick. That would be a significant decrease. Does anyone else think that this is feasible?
	0

Feb 26, 2008, 11:22 AM	#4
tip macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2006	Yeah, the top can be slimmed a bit, but then it would be oddly proportioned - that probably won't happen. It can't get really any thinner on the base either - you need to take other components into consideration (graphics card, side ports, etc.). The MBP is much slimmer compared to its competition. 0.6" is overly optimistic. __________________ "The TV is both a clock and a calendar. It's your school, your home, your church, your friend ... and your lover." - Oldboy, (2003)
	0

Feb 26, 2008, 11:30 AM	#7
BlizzardBomb macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England	Another .1" or .2" could be shaved off, any more and we're going to be squeezing the biggest limiting factors - the 2.5" Hard Drive with a height of just under .4" and possibly the optical drive. The MacBook Air uses a 1.8" Hard Drive with a height of around .3". __________________ Mid '09 13" MBP, Rev. B iMac G5 Retired: 4th Gen iPod 20 GB, 1st Gen iPod nano 2 GB, iPod classic 80 GB
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How much thinner can the MBP get?	MarkMoseley1	MacBook Pro	40	Feb 4, 2011 03:42 PM
Next Macbook pro 13" update how much better can it get!	Iphone3gs	MacBook Pro	20	Jun 15, 2009 01:38 PM
How much $$$ can I get for my 17'' MBP.	James Cole	Wasteland	1	Jan 24, 2009 12:07 PM
how much $$ can i get??	cjddrum1	MacBook Pro	4	Jun 18, 2007 02:48 AM
How much thinner can they get?	Peyton	Mac Pro	20	Feb 25, 2006 04:23 AM

Feb 26, 2008, 11:02 AM	#2
7even macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2008	I think the superdrive moved up a bit on the new model. It is now at the top edge of the bottom part. Seems like they're just itching to trim away some of the bottom haha I think they can go a little thinner, but not by much..
	0

Feb 26, 2008, 11:11 AM	#3
Knolly macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2007	@7even The Superdrive didn't move at all. The drive has always been in different places on the 15 and 17 inch models. You're probably seeing a picture of the 17 inch, which has the drive up at the top, and thinking it's a 15 inch model.
	0