jy:

Yeah. Thanks for pointing that out. I think it's just plastic with 10% carbon fiber in random directions to add 2-4x the strength. Asus uses the term "alloy". At least that's what some people are saying.

Funny thing is that I had painted my laptop. While sanding down to this "carbon fiber alloy", it would appear that it was extremely scratch resistant. Sandpaper did nothing to it! Now if it's just reinforced ABS plastic, that shouldn't happen. I've worked on full carbon fiber bikes and I'm pretty sure carbon can't add scratch resistance.

Whatever that stuff is...it's apparently in their VX2 and a few other models still. So it looks like I'll be getting another Asus in the future! :D

Eric:

Carbon fibre alloy? CFRP is not a metal, and thus cannot be alloyed.

given that, I'm curious as to what this material actually is.

.
St Steve could charge gullible FanBois heaps more $.

Nah, Stevie just wants to suck up to BHO. It's easier to use carbon black than black anodized aluminum. But then, using the aluminum would be more accurate. When the black wears off, there is white underneath.

Pros:
- Light weight
- Looks damn cool (I'm no fanboy but I love carbon fiber)

Cons:
- Easily damaged from impact (CF is not designed to take impact...just to be strong as long as it is in one piece)
- Scratches easily and can reduce integrity
- Adds a few hundred bucks easily to the bill

The one option I've seen is the Asus M5N series laptops using carbon fiber alloy. I have one still and believe it's one of the best designed laptop chassis. It's impact proof (believe me...I know) and doesn't get dents like aluminum. I just wish Asus kept making them!

Alternatively, the Toshiba R500 series with SSDs start at 0.78kg (=1.72lbs), have several USB ports, built-in optical drive/burner, a _removable_ battery, ...

It doesn't have a fruit on the lid, though I'm sure it's possible to get a sticker made up.


Looks like Apple is finally catching up with IBM/Lenovo who have used Carbon Fibre, or more accurately CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic) in their ThinkPad range laptops for years. I used to have an IBM ThinkPad 560X from 1997 that had a most of its structural components made with CFRP.

Apple's use of CFRP to create the bottom cover of the laptop is a waste. Apple should have used the CFRP in the lid, providing an ideal place for wireless antennas to be mounted.