As far as I know the most common uses for carbon fiber are when light weight and high strength are needed, such as in aerodynamic panels on race cars -- nobody cares if the panel is .5mm or .5in, so long as the outer surface is the right shape and the weight is as low as possible.
If my understanding is correct, these attributes are counter to one of the key goals of the MB Air (the goal of being as thin as practical). It will be interesting to see the exact CF weave and resins they select as a compromise.
Now I come to read the article more carefully, in fact, the part they're considering replacing with carbon fiber is the bottom cover, which suggests they really are thinking in terms of heat conduction, even though that's not mentioned in the article.
(Not a personal slam. I just wish sometimes people would call out Apple on being sleazy before their "but its so prettyyyyy" rationalization kicks in. Because otherwise Apple will continue making you bend over backwards.)
carbon fiber?? why not try to see if you can freeze-frame star trek iv at the point where scotty has his forumla for transparent aluminum on the screen. that should catch a cool $5k per unit at least.
