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So why the plastic???
- Thread starter bacaramac
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Cheaper, first and foremost. Also, I heard something about reception and/or 3G signal. Can anyone clarify?
The plastic "window" on the first gen is for the antenna, they went with plastic to improve reception, and give all the new antenna's a chance.
I guess until we see the tear down of the new phone we won't know. Just based on this blurb from Apple.com, it looks like all antennas are external. I am hoping for iPhone and iPhone Pro. I know keep dreaming.
Aluminum is why Macbook Pros don't get good wifi reception. I hear the wifi reception on Macbooks are amazing. So I assume that's another reason why they went with plastic, since the 3G iPhone has so many internal antennas.
I feel like with the cost of gas going up, the aluminum is probably close to the same price so it's probably got something to do with reception.
(Plastic is made from petroleum)
(Plastic is made from petroleum)
Apple makes something in chrome... people complain.
Apple makes something in aluminum... people complain.
Apple makes something in plastic... people complain.
Exactly what material could Apple use that would make it so no one complains? Carbon fiber? Hemp? Gold?
Apple makes something in aluminum... people complain.
Apple makes something in plastic... people complain.
Exactly what material could Apple use that would make it so no one complains? Carbon fiber? Hemp? Gold?
Point taken, but I was not complaining, but just trying to understand. I really wanted to ask, could Apple create another iPhone "Pro" with all aluminum and get the same reception as the current 3G phone is going to have, but I knew no one could answer this question until we see the tear down of the phone to see antenna placement (if any) under the plastic. Based on the reading above, it is all external.
real reason is cost of aluminum right now is just climbing at a very quick rate with +10% increases in cost multiple months in a row. Metal cost a lot now and is going up so I am not surprised to see them dumb that cost from some where.
OMG! You know what's a non-conducting material that would make a super cool enclosure material? Glass! Imagine if the whole thing were wrapped in the same strong scratch resistant glass that they use for the screen! You'd be able to see through it just like you could see through the original iMac's case!
Yeah, but wood is way more durable than that cheap old plastic they're using. Only downside is that you may get a few splinters here and there, but hey! That's a small price to pay. If the iPhone were made of wood, it'd probably be cheaper than $199!!! [end sarcasm]
Why not some sort of new blend metals like titanium or magnesium alloy, carbon-nanotube-weave, composite ceramic? I honestly wouldn't mind carbon fiber...but only if it's painted, and I can't see the texture.
Hell, why anything? Just give me the screen and the internal antennas and circuits. Who needs any kind of "casing" ???
Then maybe you'll enjoy this.
http://www.techfresh.net/gadgets/computers/laptops/world’s-first-carbon-fiber-macbook/
Or rather, you'd hate it, because it gives you the look of carbon fiber, but not the benefit.
I know for a fact that the Bluetooth/WiFi antenna and the 3G antenna are on opposite ends of the device (one is on top, one is on bottom).
The distance allowed it to meet a certain FCC requirement. Therefore, the old design with just plastic where the antennas were wouldn't work.
The distance allowed it to meet a certain FCC requirement. Therefore, the old design with just plastic where the antennas were wouldn't work.