Intel's Ultra-Thin (<2 mm) Ultrabooks To Use Plastic Cases - Polidicks

[IMG]http://liliputing.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/plastic2.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE]Most major PC makers have released ultrabooks over the past few months, and many more of the thin and light laptops are expected in the coming year. But while they’re thinner and lighter than typical notebooks and much more powerful than an average netbook, there’s at least one thing that still makes ultrabooks a tough sell: price. The least expensive ultrabooks available today run $799 and up, and most models have starting prices closer to $1000. Chip maker Intel created the ultrabook platform, and the company would like to see that base price fall to $699 soon… and one of the tools they’re hoping PC makers use is plastic. Most ultrabooks on the market today have sturdy metal cases. That’s because PC makers have to use a very sturdy material if they want to make laptops with cases that are less than 0.7 inches thick. Otherwise they’ll simply break. According to Intel, metal cases are typically between 7 and 10 times stiffer than plastic. But it’s also a more expensive building material. So Intel has developed ways to optimize the structure of plastic, allowing PC makers to create thin plastic laptop cases that are just about as strong as cases made of metal. But metal cases aren’t just sturdier than plastic ones… they also look nice. After all, Intel is pushing ultrabooks as something as a premium offering. You don’t want a “premium” notebook that looks like that $300 model on sale at the local big box electronics store, do you? Intel has an answer for that too: stamped aluminum hybrid cases. Basically you could end up with an ultrabook with a cheap plastic case and a thin aluminum sheet on top giving the laptop a metallic finish. Our refrigerator broke down recently and we had to go looking for a replacement. There were some models made completely of plastic. Others had plastic bodies with stainless steel doors. Those models had considerably higher price tags even though most of the refrigerator is made of plastic. Then there’s a middle ground, with refrigerator and freezer doors that are made of plastic but which are designed to look like stainless steel. So yeah… that’s pretty much what some of the next-generation cheap ultrabooks could be like. Cheap refrigerators that are painted to look like they’re made of metal. It might not sound all that good, but if it keeps your food cold backpack light while giving you a solid computing performance, do you really care?[/QUOTE] [url]http://liliputing.com/2012/04/intels-secret-for-cheaper-ultrabooks-plastic-cases.html[/url]

With 'structural optimization' they probably mean enforce it with carbon fiber, which in that case I'm ok with that.

It's supposed to be cm right?

[QUOTE=maurits150;35567059]With 'structural optimization' they probably mean enforce it with carbon fiber, which in that case I'm ok with that.[/QUOTE] Pretty sure what they're referring to is making the structure stiffer by using better shapes. If they meant "we're gonna make the plastic stiffer by taking some of it out and replacing it with another material" they would have said so. [editline]14th April 2012[/editline] This is pretty cool.

[QUOTE=Swebonny;35567109]It's supposed to be cm right?[/QUOTE] I think its 1.8mm. As in the plastic is part is just 1.8mm thick.

As long as they don't use that fucking horrible piano black fingerprint magnet shit then I am OK with this.

[QUOTE=Uber|nooB;35567132]Pretty sure what they're referring to is making the structure stiffer by using better shapes. If they meant "we're gonna make the plastic stiffer by taking some of it out and replacing it with another material" they would have said so. [editline]14th April 2012[/editline] This is pretty cool.[/QUOTE] Don't have to - depends on the plastic used. For instance the new lumia from nokia has a polycarbonate body, but is stronger than most metal phones. Plastic is a pretty wide range of materials.

Using metal also helps even out the heat inside it, doesn't it? Concerned they'll need more powerful fans if they swap to plastic.

Hey Intel, I have an idea. How about scrapping the whole "thinner is better" idea and for once build a laptop with a keyboard that's actually great and comfortable to use. Y'know, just an idea.

If what they say is true, and the casing does prove to be as tough as metal, I can see exactly why they would use plastic. It's a much more flexible material for designing stuff, it's light, cheap, and can be any colour you can produce. I don't actually see the massive hype for metal laptop casings, cold metal is nasty to rest you hands on when typing, maybe it being more scratch resistant and harder to damage in general helps.

I don't care about my laptop's weight, or size (within reason). I just want one that's powerful, sturdy and comfortable in use. If that means it has to be thick for the hardware, heavy for the battery, and ugly to cut back costs, I'm fine. I don't want a paper-thin laptop that breaks and overheats when I just look at it.

One of the trends I don't get. Ultrabooks.

Now if they only could make em as pretty as Google Netbooks/Macbooks

[QUOTE=hexpunK;35567222]If what they say is true, and the casing does prove to be as tough as metal, I can see exactly why they would use plastic. It's a much more flexible material for designing stuff, it's light, cheap, and can be any colour you can produce. I don't actually see the massive hype for metal laptop casings, cold metal is nasty to rest you hands on when typing, maybe it being more scratch resistant and harder to damage in general helps.[/QUOTE] IBM (and now Lenovo since they bought the rights and production facilities from IBM) once made laptops out of metals, but in order to cut costs while still retaining the same amount of durability they changed the laptops design to be made out of hard plastic with a titanium [I]rollcage-like[/I] design on the inside. Saves money & reduces weight while still having a strong and durable design.

[QUOTE=Number-41;35567340]Now if they only could make em as pretty as Google Netbooks/Macbooks[/QUOTE] They already do.

Sweet, an even less recyclable Laptop!

[QUOTE=VengfulSoldier;35567410]Sweet, an even less recyclable Laptop![/QUOTE] [I]Funny enough[/I] certain types of plastic are easier to recycle than most metals. [SUB][I]The more you know[/I][/SUB]

Why are people so obsessed with having thin stuff. I couldn't care less as long as it is reasonably sized. If a phone is 1mm thick or 1cm thick I would rather go for the 1cm thick one. Why would want some flimsy as shit phone that bends when you touch it and same goes for laptops. TVs are getting so thin that they wobble when you move them around. My Uncle's 3D almost seems to fall off it's stand when you touch it.

[QUOTE=icemaz;35567368]They already do.[/QUOTE] Link?

[QUOTE=Van-man;35567201]Hey Intel, I have an idea. How about scrapping the whole "thinner is better" idea and for once build a laptop with a keyboard that's actually great and comfortable to use. Y'know, just an idea.[/QUOTE] "but the macbook air" "what about the macbook air" "MACBOOK AAAAIIIIIIRRRRRR" I'm pretty sure this is the extent of modern corporate board meetings.

why does everything have to be as thin as possible nowadays?

I hate plastic, it should never be on the exterior of electronics.

Hmm easier to snap in half if i get mad

[QUOTE=farmatyr;35567963]I hate plastic, it should never be on the exterior of electronics.[/QUOTE] the n9 and one x pull it off quite nicely

[QUOTE=hexpunK;35567222]If what they say is true, and the casing does prove to be as tough as metal, I can see exactly why they would use plastic. It's a much more flexible material for designing stuff, it's light, cheap, and can be any colour you can produce. I don't actually see the massive hype for metal laptop casings, cold metal is nasty to rest you hands on when typing, maybe it being more scratch resistant and harder to damage in general helps.[/QUOTE] But I like my cold metal

[QUOTE=farmatyr;35567963]I hate plastic, it should never be on the exterior of electronics.[/QUOTE] Well enjoy paying out of your arse purely for for a good looking design that gets easily scratched.

The problem is, it will break after 2 minutes.

[QUOTE=Burgervich;35568887]The problem is, it will break after 2 minutes.[/QUOTE] Intel doesn't put their name & logo on something shitty, without being able to pin the blame on someone else. And since this is a in-house design, go figure.

This reminds me of the way sexual dimorphism works in nature... one reasonable trait is selected as being sexually attractive (large antlers(deer), red butt(Some Monkeys)) and then over the generations the reddest butt is selected, and reproduced. Then because of this the feature eventually becomes overly exaggerated, and even quite possibly a hindrance.

[QUOTE=Scot;35567165]As long as they don't use that fucking horrible piano black fingerprint magnet shit then I am OK with this.[/QUOTE] That finish even looks like crap on pianos. I don't understand glossy on anything except screens.