Apple makes Ultrabook lose the opportunity to use metal shell

Because Apple strictly controls the supply chain of materials and manufacturing technology, Ultrabook series laptop competitors are forced to use fiberglass materials to make the case instead of metal.

Once again Apple proves its strength in technology. Not only has the effort to immerse competitors in the mobile device segment such as Samsung and HTC and recently Motorola with patent infringement lawsuits, Apple also strictly controls the market of machine tools. Computer control (computer numerical control or CNC, including lathes, milling, grinding .), making Intel Ultrabook computer line partners have to search for new shell manufacturing materials.

Maybe Asus Ultrabook will no longer have an attractive appearance as originally intended to compete with the Macbook Air (?)

CNC machines play an extremely important role in producing ultra-thin, lightweight aluminum and magnesium alloy casing according to Intel's original design when it came to the idea of ​​Ultrabook models. But at this time, both of these providers, Catcher and Foxconn, had only about 20,000 units in total (according to data from Digitimes) and Apple had scheduled them completely.

As a result, Apple forced its poor competitors to look for alternative materials, probably RHCM. This material is a resilient, lightweight, lightweight plastic and fiberglass composite. It also costs less and can reduce production costs per computer to $ 100 (~ 2 million VND).

This reduction in production costs seems to make people who don't like Mac computers more impressive (especially businesses) due to having to pay less. But that reason is not enough to convince because users are not necessarily adapted to the new feeling that this material brings. Moreover, network administrators might be afraid of computers with this new non-metallic material and don't know how durable it is. Finally, Mac computers still seem to bring satisfaction to users by their elegant, solid and reliable design.