'Brick' Refers to the MacBook Manufacturing Process

[foobarbaz]

if this is true, that type of process versus stamping would add to the price of mb/mbp's. unless they choose to keep it within the same price range of course.

During their last conference call they said margins would go down.

 

[pavelbure]

.
* The shell is one piece of metal so it is super light, super strong and super cheap.
* You can be a whole lot more creative with the design if you don't have to machine it. .........LOL- you DO have to machine it!!! If it's not stamped it must be machined,unless they have a magic wand.


I have to laugh at the quotes I posted above..Being in the alloy stamping/slitting/CNC billet business I can tell you it's not cheaper to carve out a shape from billet,also all the seam,bends,etc wouldn't be a problem with a WELL made progressive feed stamp die.

not only that, but trying to machine a laptop case which is relatively thin would cause tremendous chatter problems, warping and clamping problems.

 

[KALLT]

BTW if they're producing the next revision of macbooks in America what about the shipment spotted a few weeks ago? Other kind of apple products?

Perhaps Apple is already using this new manufacturing process. No one knows for sure that this new manufacturing takes not place in China.

Next tuesday we'll know more for sure.

 

[spydr]

Will it be the ONLY mainstream laptop to be made in the USA, assuming it will have such a label?

They could brag quite a bit for that! and rightfully so...

 

[derryquinn]

Also Intel appears to make it's chips in the USA - I'd say those are of good quality too.

I'm pretty sure most if not all of Intel's chips are made in Leixlip, Ireland...


...anyone want to confirm?

 

[Chic0]

so pleased I've waited to replace my dying Powerbook G4 15". These new macbook Pros should hopefully be worth the wait.

One thing I would have expected by now though are leaks of photographs showing these new designs. I will certainly anticipate them arriving this week surely.

In light of this new manufacturing process and with Apple taking this 'in-house' so to speak, could this be the main reason why there haven't been any leaks? Apple will surely now have more control over security and restricting information leaks.

 

[skunk]

Actually Apple has been blowing the competition out of the water for YEARS already...the PC is DEAD. Only die-hard Bill Gates fans, hardcore gamers and people that have no idea about Macs buy PC these days.

Get real.

 

[Whiternoise]

Isn't that a bit wasteful..?

I mean a brick of alu, and all they're using is the outside shell?

 

[mgpg89]

What about the MacBook Pro? Will they be released on Oct14th as well?

 

[Tallest Skil]

What about the MacBook Pro? Will they be released on Oct14th as well?

Nothing is confirmed for October 14.

 

[rdowns]

Actually Apple has been blowing the competition out of the water for YEARS already...the PC is DEAD. Only die-hard Bill Gates fans, hardcore gamers and people that have no idea about Macs buy PC these days.

As for "insourcing" to US, this is pretty much irrelevant. You can manufacture them anywhere as long as you have strong contractual and operational enforcement of SLAs...but yep...if you don't have it, it's always good to do it yourself.

I truly believe that the new processes will put Apple WAY above any other company, as happened with the iPhone and the smartphone industry.

Microsoft is DEAD. Dell is DEAD.

Talk about a fanboy. You have all the qualifications to run for President of the US.

 

[jojo13]

Dumbest post of the day!

+1

 

[jojo13]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT

I have a feeling that those macbooks will ROCK

 

[mgpg89]

Nothing is confirmed for October 14.

Yes, I realise that, neither are the MacBooks.

But, realistically speaking, what are the chances of Apple releasing *just* the MacBook without the Pro?
I mean ... the Pro line can't fall behind, can it? It would be ridiculous seeing newer, better and faster technology in the MacBook than in the MacBook Pro for a while, wouldn't it?

 

[jojo13]

Yes, I realise that, neither are the MacBooks.

But, realistically speaking, what are the chances of Apple releasing *just* the MacBook without the Pro?
I mean ... the Pro line can't fall behind, can it? It would be ridiculous seeing newer, better and faster technology in the MacBook than in the MacBook Pro for a while, wouldn't it?

it would indeed. That's why I think the pro line will see new technologie either

I think that when they were talking about the macbook, they meant all the macbook family (including the air)

Maybe the 14th will be an event for the 3

 

[mobi]

High-end Trek bike frames. As in Madone and Fuel.

Don't forget Cannondale's long standing USA tradition...even though they recently started manufacturing their low end frames in Asia

 

[jojo13]

Yea, I hate how we lose all of the 'premium' feeling.

we dont coz' the other compagnies are even cheaper

999$ for a laptop is, for a lot of people (not me), expensive

 

[jojo13]

could they call it

macbrick and
macbrick pro

i know, i know, its ugly

 

[puffnstuff]

999$ for a laptop is, for a lot of people (not me), expensive

$999 - 2% fw cashback at macmall= $979.02

$949(students)- 1% fw cashback at apple= $939.01 + free ipod during b2s promotions


Sounds good to me.

 

[mobi]

What about the pros!!!!!macbookpros please

How many people still think they may merge the line?

 

[iPaf]

MADE IN USA?

It won't be made in USA... Don't you all remember the rumors about the macbook shipping from China? (September 15th)

Sorry...

 

[owdin]

It won't be made in USA... Don't you all remember the rumors about the macbook shipping from China? (September 15th)

Sorry...

Maybe because packing them in boxes is a lot cheaper in China?

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Maybe this has already been brought up (I can't real all 295 posts)...

but while this manufacturing process seems both "cool," and in-line with Apple design I also hope it doesn't mean more Apple products with sealed batteries. That is the one thing I really abhor about current Apple design. Yes, maybe the bottom of a Powerbook/MBP/iBook/MB is ugly, but it's practical. If I want to admire a back I'll pick up a copy of the SI swimsuit edition.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

It won't be made in USA... Don't you all remember the rumors about the macbook shipping from China? (September 15th)

Sorry...

Well we really don't know. If the details in the 9to5 article on Brick manufacturing proc. are real Apple could surprise us. Apple's never done that before

If they can make laptops in their own factory, with their own QC, and without a huge labor force it only makes sense. They save money on freight, labor, regain QC of their products, which lets be honest has been downhill ever since they started manufacturing in China, and also redefine not only the computer industry but the entire manufacturing industry. It's a real game changer as the cliche goes.

 

[GeekLawyer]

But, realistically speaking, what are the chances of Apple releasing *just* the MacBook without the Pro?
I mean ... the Pro line can't fall behind, can it? It would be ridiculous seeing newer, better and faster technology in the MacBook than in the MacBook Pro for a while, wouldn't it?

I suspect that the MacBook/MacBook Pro distinction is going to fall away. It'll just be a MacBook -- low-end through high-end.

My debit card is ready, willing, and waiting.