Would you pay for a "rubberized" finish on your MBA?

[ReallyBigFeet]

I'm assuming most people have seen the new Toshiba "kids" PC by now?

More images here: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...49&productId=1218246665112&defurl=false&h=403

While the thing is pretty low-end and FILLED with crapware for monitoring your kids online activities, I'm really pretty intrigued by the full 'rubberized' coating on the device. The entire surface is covered by a textured silicone of some type, giving it a nice grippy feeling. Even the keyboard is rubberized.

Obviously, this material was applied during construction and I doubt you could emulate this with any kind of after-market kit.

But I have to say I'd LOVE to have this kind of coating on my MBA. Is there any kind of skin on the market today that gives me a similar texture?

 

[MorganB]

No, it would add to the weight and bulk.

 

[bowlerman625]

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Yeah I might.

 

[Bluemeanie1976]

Rubberized? Ew, no thinks... Could you imagine how much of a dirt magnet it would be? Not to mention that the grip it would give would be annoying on your wrists as you type.

 

[Adidas Addict]

Erm let me think, beautiful premium aluminium vs cheap tacky rubber?

 

[bcaslis]

Rubberized? Not even if they paid me for it.

 

[miata]

I think Apple could figure out how to make something like that work. Aluminum is the fad right now, but will eventually be passe.

A rubberized texture in many areas could be very functional. Wait. Functionality is not longer important.

 

[HLdan]

That's a huge assumption to think that most people on a Mac forum have heard of this machine. At least for me, this is the first time I've seen it and it belongs in the category it's made for, KIDS. I would not want anything rubber built in on my Macs however the first iBook was almost fully covered in rubber and it worked for how Apple designed it but I was glad when the stopped production of that machine, however it was quite successful. The current white Macbook is rubber-like on the bottom and that's exactly where it belongs.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

I work in a lot of construction sites and once upon a time even owned a ToughBook for this very reason. I even know a guy who took apart his 13" MBP and sprayed Rhino Liner all over the exterior of it to ruggedize it. It worked pretty well but looks butt ugly.

I think a thin coating/skin that was grippy would be a great option. And for people saying "it adds weight...no way" just look at all the threads here talking about 1+ pound cases or sleeves, or the 3+ pound backpacks/messenger bags. Unless you pull a Jony Ives and keep your MBA sitting on a rotating, elevated glass podium in the middle of your room....everyone puts it inside of SOMETHING for protection. This is just one style (rubberized/ruggedized) I've yet to see and wonder why I haven't (yet).

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

This is from a company called "Pure" but no idea if it actually exists or is a mockup. Its for a 13" MBP.

That's going a little TOO far, but I dig the conceptual direction. LaCie could do this...I already own one of their ruggedized USB drives with the orange bumper around it.

 

[ayuchan]

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No, no way. It's like changing my Silver PS3 Fat to PS3 Slim. Appearance does play a part.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

And then there's this beast:

I can't believe I'm the only user out there who wants a RUGGEDIZED Mac. Surely there must be a market for this?

 

[BENJMNS]

And then there's this beast:

I can't believe I'm the only user out there who wants a RUGGEDIZED Mac. Surely there must be a market for this?

as much as i wouldnt mind a bit more grip, id just be more mindful than go with rubber. it won't look as pretty.

but then "patinaed" al looks like crap too.

 

[Adidas Addict]

This is from a company called "Pure" but no idea if it actually exists or is a mockup. Its for a 13" MBP.

That's going a little TOO far, but I dig the conceptual direction. LaCie could do this...I already own one of their ruggedized USB drives with the orange bumper around it.

That's a prototype (not sure if old or new) from Hard Candy

http://www.hardcandycases.com/

They have used that design on their iPhone case, but not for notebooks yet as far as I can see:

 

[Bluemeanie1976]

And then there's this beast:

I can't believe I'm the only user out there who wants a RUGGEDIZED Mac. Surely there must be a market for this?

Ruggedise your mac if you want, but it seems to be defeating the object of the air. Tiny, thing computer, with a massive rubber case, or metal box to put it in. Might as well get a MBP

 

[Loonytik]

Rubberized, no.

Flat, Matte black....yes, I would love that. There's always the Colorware option but I just don't see paying $500 for a change in color. I like the look of the silver but Matte black would be my first choice.

 

[Tomple]

Rubberized, no.

Flat, Matte black....yes, I would love that. There's always the Colorware option but I just don't see paying $500 for a change in color. I like the look of the silver but Matte black would be my first choice.

+1 but i find the aluminum looks beautiful on my 11.6"

 

[Adidas Addict]

Rubberized, no.

Flat, Matte black....yes, I would love that. There's always the Colorware option but I just don't see paying $500 for a change in color. I like the look of the silver but Matte black would be my first choice.

I have seen some proper sub-standard end results from Colorware too, in no way reflecting the price they charge. Imagine paying $500 and ending up with something unsellable.

 

[Spacekatgal]

I don't have kids, but if I wanted to give my child a bad personality I'd give them expensive things at an age they couldn't appreciate. A rubberized MBA sounds perfect for that.

 

[SamTheeGeek]

I Dont think so, i love the aluminum finish on the macbook air

but check out GelaSkins or DecalGirl they might have stock for the macbook air


Good Luck

 

[Loonytik]

I have seen some proper sub-standard end results from Colorware too, in no way reflecting the price they charge. Imagine paying $500 and ending up with something unsellable.

Yea, I just don't see it. It certainly doesn't cost that much to paint and to make a profit. They are using the price to establish their branding just like Apple, Under Armour and others do.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

I don't have kids, but if I wanted to give my child a bad personality I'd give them expensive things at an age they couldn't appreciate. A rubberized MBA sounds perfect for that.

Yeah I wasn't talking about a MBA for kids, I was talking about rugged-izing a MBA for my own use to make it more durable when on construction sites. I just ran across that Toshiba thing (its called a Spark and is aimed at kids) as an example of a rugged-ized finish without going the route of a ToughBook or a mil-spec case.

People say that this would "ruin" the appearance. I think a few weeks on the job and the appearance will be ruined WITHOUT it.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

That's a prototype (not sure if old or new) from Hard Candy

http://www.hardcandycases.com/

They have used that design on their iPhone case, but not for notebooks yet as far as I can see:

Thanks for the info!

 

[fedup flyer]

Ever heard of the Toshiba Toughbook?
There is definitely a market for rubberized or toughened laptop for those of us that travel alot and or use a laptop in a industrial setting.

 

[neteng101]

I believe its the Panasonic Toughbook, not Toshiba.

And whyever would one want to rubberize the MBA of all things???