Many Mac drug user have been patiently craving a visual makeover of the MacBook Pro crinkle . After all , Apple ’s professional laptop have looked much the same since the Al - outside PowerBook G4 debut … back in January 2003 .
If you ’re tired of hold back — and you ’ve amaze deep pockets — Oregon’sComputer Choppersprovides service for those face to tailor-make the looks of their laptops . The company ’s flagship service is a terminated refinishing of your MacBook Pro , transform the laptop ’s metal finish from anodized Al to chrome , cop , 18k or 24k Au , nickel , or black nickel ; you’re able to also choose between , brush , lustrelessness , or urbane finishes .
I asked Computer Choppers ’ Alex Wiley to describe the mental process of overhauling the outside of your MacBook Pro . First the company pillage the laptop down to separate the piece of its case from everything deep down . ( If you ’ve ever taken apart a MacBook Pro to install an climb , you may imagine the hassle of completely disassemble it . Wiley noted that among the obstacles here is removing the industrial adhesive Apple uses to hold everything together . ) Then the “ wet - tolerance ” area of the face — for case , the display living accommodations and the bottom casing — are sand .
The surgical incision of the case are then given to a plater , who apply chemicals to strip off the existing anodization and to fix the musical composition for the desire surface last : brushed , matt , or milled . ( A polished finish requires the most time and labor , which makes it the most expensive . ) Each piece is given a zinc bathtub , and then plated .
The upcountry section of the MacBook Pro — for example , the palmrest surface area — in general expend a matte / satin finish , disregarding of the conclusion choose for the outside , although the customer can choose brush or urbane . The fellowship also offers an aluminium - round off table service , which simply smoothes out the MacBook Pro ’s original anodized finis .
Since Computer Choppers ’ piece of work is all customs duty , the company does n’t currently have a traditional on-line store ; youcontact themwith a verbal description of what you ’re await for and they send you an estimate . ( Online order will be uncommitted in the near future . ) harmonize to Wiley , a refinish costs $ 800 to $ 2500 , depending on the polish . ( That does n’t admit the laptop itself ; you could provide your own or have the company buy one for you , adding the cost to the total price . ) The least - expensive intervention is polished aluminum or atomic number 28 , with gold and disgraceful nickel at the high-pitched destruction ; the price to refinish a 15 - column inch MacBook Pro in 24k atomic number 79 average around $ 1500 . The price of the service include repaint the non - metal role — the keyboard , the trackpad , and the bezel around the screen — to pair the metal finish , as well as the re - engraving of the newly - painted key .
The company includes a warranty on the fresh finish . In summation , because the physical process voids your laptop ’s warranty , Computer Choppers extend an optional hardware warranty , with armed service provided through an authorized Apple service supplier in the ship’s company ’s area . ( You have to send your laptop to Computer Choppers , rather than to Apple , to get service . )
But adding a pelage of rarified metal is n’t the extent of the troupe ’s offer . Computer Choppers can also substitute the MacBook Pro ’s blanched , pliant Apple logo with something more attractive — and more expensive . client can choose three-dimensional zirconia if they ’re getting close to the limit of their tricking - out budget , or go nuts with veridical diamonds . ( Do n’t worry , the Inner Light from your screen will still glint through ; it ’s just that it will be shining through gems rather than plastic . ) . you could rather opt to bump off the Apple logo wholly and have the fellowship use your own logotype designing , customise it with precious metal or various stones and gems , in various pattern , coloration , cut , and sizes . Of course , going this route pushes the monetary value of the customization well into the class of “ luxury good”—prices for the logo customization range from $ 500 to as much as $ 10,000 !
concord to the company , customize a MacBook Pro with a 24k amber , polished finish and an Apple logotype of ball field costs around $ 8000 . This software package includes warranties for both the customization and the MacBook Pro , as well as several accessary : a microfiber carrying arm , a screen shielder , a cleaning kit , and replacement metrical unit . Computer Choppers also urge buy aPelican hardshell information processing system briefcaseto keep the laptop safe . ( It ’s too spoilt one is n’t included — if you spend this much tricking out your laptop computer , you ’ll by all odds want something more protective than your typical computer bag . )
Granted , a gussied - up MacBook Pro wo n’t run any quicker or otherwise do any well . But it ’s certain to plow heads , and it just may be enough to take for flush Mac substance abuser over until we see an actual professional - laptop upgrade from Apple .
