Actually, most silver aluminum you see in consumer products (Macbooks and iPhones included) is anodized with a silver coating.
Bare aluminum will oxidize when exposed to air.
Well, yes.. it's also been machined and shaped, inlaid with logos, etc. But you know what I mean! haha. I prefer the silver look that is kept close to the look of aluminum
It would be interesting to see if they ever moved away from all aluminum. Remember back in the old days when Apple was synonymous with white polycarbonate. That lasted a long time but not forever. I assume eventually they'll want to make another material change.
Not complaining though. I like the aluminum (although it does get a little repetitive being on ALL their computers).
Who knows. According to the Macrumors front page they're hiring people working with plastic so maybe we'll see a plastic macbook come back (Only ok if they make it much lighter).
I actually think Apple products looked much better in the early half of the 2000's. It's all subjective of course, but that's what I think. Polycarbonate, lots of colors, and some truly fantastic designs. Like, for example, the G4 iMac or the G3 PowerMac, both GORGEOUS machines. I also GREATLY prefer the older versions of OSX. Now, it seems, OSX and the machines it runs are on very sterile, very plain, very industrial. I really liked the way the stuff used to look.
I like the aluminum too though, certainly beats cheap plastic (i.e. not Apples thicker and sturdier polycarbonate) full of stickers, bloatware, 'Intel Inside' badges and etc.!
They still use the poly on some devices. Their Wi-Fi routers for example. My Time Capsule is built just like the White MacBook's, white poly with a gray rubber bottom. I kind of like it! (I think it would look better with a white Apple logo instead of the reflective foil logo it has).