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Fragileness of MacBook Pro Case
- Thread starter BigPrince
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-iW00t
Well, if you light it on fire, yes. But it's not spontaneously igniting, you'd need to heat it to about 2000 degrees F to get it going. In fact, your average piece of magnesium for a consumer product like a laptop or a bicycle is so thick you'd need an oxyacetylene torch to get it hot enough.
Aren't they experimenting with magnesium in high performance car engines? Mainly the block to replace iron?
and about the flex issue, i find the MBP less flexible than plastic counterparts. I remember my teacher's HP/Compaq laptop blue screened when held the wrong way, and i believe something inside might have shorted..it corrupted the HD. The IT dept. never got to fixing it. My suite mate's 12" powerbook has warped so it doesnt sit flat anymore.
and about the flex issue, i find the MBP less flexible than plastic counterparts. I remember my teacher's HP/Compaq laptop blue screened when held the wrong way, and i believe something inside might have shorted..it corrupted the HD. The IT dept. never got to fixing it. My suite mate's 12" powerbook has warped so it doesnt sit flat anymore.
I was the owner of a black MB, but after numerous unsuccessful repairs, I upgraded to a MBP. The Pro looks 1,000 times better than the MB in my opinion, and no oil stains on the track-pad and such is great.
The MBP will dent and scratch pretty easily in most circumstances. I have a pretty thick Incase carrying case, and even a drop from waist level onto carpet (while in the case) will result in a dent. The dents are very small and really only noticeable due to the strain markings on the aluminum, but they are dents none the less. In terms of scratching, the top display case is the most vulnerable. If you ever set it upside down, even on a what you think is a relatively harmless surface, you are sure to get a scratch. The other parts of the casing don't scratch as easily, but contact with other metal (watches, other jewelry, binder-clips or paperclips on a desk) will but in a pretty noticeable scratch.
Is it that big of a deal? Not really. The effects of oil from your hand onto the black MB looks worse than a scratched up MBP in my mind. The top display casing of the MBP is relatively cheap (under $100 in some places) and I probably will replace it in a year or so. Obviously, if you are mobile all the time the MBP might not be the machine for you. The fact of life is, people will drop their MBP's and expose it to other damaging situations. Still, the MBP is a great machine, and looks GREAT with scratches/ dents or no scratches/ dents. The nice thing about scratches on the MBP too, is that they are really only noticeable from directly overhead in bright lighting. I would highly recommend a MBP to anyone.
The MBP will dent and scratch pretty easily in most circumstances. I have a pretty thick Incase carrying case, and even a drop from waist level onto carpet (while in the case) will result in a dent. The dents are very small and really only noticeable due to the strain markings on the aluminum, but they are dents none the less. In terms of scratching, the top display case is the most vulnerable. If you ever set it upside down, even on a what you think is a relatively harmless surface, you are sure to get a scratch. The other parts of the casing don't scratch as easily, but contact with other metal (watches, other jewelry, binder-clips or paperclips on a desk) will but in a pretty noticeable scratch.
Is it that big of a deal? Not really. The effects of oil from your hand onto the black MB looks worse than a scratched up MBP in my mind. The top display casing of the MBP is relatively cheap (under $100 in some places) and I probably will replace it in a year or so. Obviously, if you are mobile all the time the MBP might not be the machine for you. The fact of life is, people will drop their MBP's and expose it to other damaging situations. Still, the MBP is a great machine, and looks GREAT with scratches/ dents or no scratches/ dents. The nice thing about scratches on the MBP too, is that they are really only noticeable from directly overhead in bright lighting. I would highly recommend a MBP to anyone.
So I guess the MB is more rugged design-wise, but the styling of the MBP outweighes its fragilness?
Because this summer, I will be considering either a 15" MBP or a MB to replace my 17" PB (I love the design!) for college, and I'm worried that the MacBook Pro will be too fragile for everyday school use, compared to the MacBook.
Because this summer, I will be considering either a 15" MBP or a MB to replace my 17" PB (I love the design!) for college, and I'm worried that the MacBook Pro will be too fragile for everyday school use, compared to the MacBook.
I have both the Black MB and MBP and like them both. I've heard about the oil marks that everyone claims the Black MBs get. I guess I wouldn't be surprised since I'm used to oil marks from handling my Thinkpad. My MB doesn't have the oils spots yet but if they do show up, no tiff. My MB is for work and my MBP is for home.
yes, they are fragile (very)
I've got both a C2D MBP and a 12" 1.5 PB and let me tell you, the aluminum casing is anything but durable. Make sure you get a HARD case for it like speck or booq or crumpler because the soft ones don't cut it. Sure, some people swear by them, but I have an incase and all of the cases mentioned above; my advice is not to even bother with the soft ones.
I've got both a C2D MBP and a 12" 1.5 PB and let me tell you, the aluminum casing is anything but durable. Make sure you get a HARD case for it like speck or booq or crumpler because the soft ones don't cut it. Sure, some people swear by them, but I have an incase and all of the cases mentioned above; my advice is not to even bother with the soft ones.
You have to understand that just because it 'dents' it doesnt mean that its not sturdy and reliable.
Take for example the Zero Halliburton laptop cases, yeah it dents and all but the inside is intact...
Now I know that the MBP is not THAT durable but hope u get what i mean!
Take for example the Zero Halliburton laptop cases, yeah it dents and all but the inside is intact...
Now I know that the MBP is not THAT durable but hope u get what i mean!
A good sleeve and a good bag is all you need. With the right protection the MBP will endure at least what any other mainstream notebook will.
I have an 800Mhz Titanium Powerbook that is 5 years old. I carry it everywhere for work. It has very few scratches and still looks quite good. I carry it in a kensington saddlebag in the padded laptop pocket and all my other tools and gear goes in the main compartment. I have dropped it and stepped on the bag while the laptop was in the case, and it's never done any damage luckily. I was a bit worried when I first got it, but it's proven itself over years of use. I think as long as you have a good case I wouldn't be too worried.
As far as hard cases go, I'm not so sure I would use one of those. It seems like it could cause more scratching over time if anything gets between the case and the laptop. Kind of like hard bedliners on pickup trucks. After a while the bed of the truck gets all scratched and the paint looks terrible because dirt gets in there and acts like sandpaper. I'm sure the effect won't be nearly as bad with a laptop hard case, but over time it might do some damage if any dust and dirt does get caught in there.
As far as hard cases go, I'm not so sure I would use one of those. It seems like it could cause more scratching over time if anything gets between the case and the laptop. Kind of like hard bedliners on pickup trucks. After a while the bed of the truck gets all scratched and the paint looks terrible because dirt gets in there and acts like sandpaper. I'm sure the effect won't be nearly as bad with a laptop hard case, but over time it might do some damage if any dust and dirt does get caught in there.
they are quite hardy but don't feel quite as firm as a powerbook. the keys are made of a different plastic and the aluminum feels a little thinner as well.
to me, it seems that apple has used lighter weight materials to get the weight down.
aussie_geek
ps be careful cleaning - the "O" in the "macbook pro" sticker has fallen off mine. the "macbook pro" is cut out of the lid with chrome stickers put inside to make it look nice. the "powerbook g4" looks like it is painted on.
to me, it seems that apple has used lighter weight materials to get the weight down.
aussie_geek
ps be careful cleaning - the "O" in the "macbook pro" sticker has fallen off mine. the "macbook pro" is cut out of the lid with chrome stickers put inside to make it look nice. the "powerbook g4" looks like it is painted on.