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0 pointsluke54412mo ago0 comments

This is how opinions differ. IMO plastic is better than aluminium. It is robust (if done right), lighter and doesn't have good thermal conductivity (which makes laptop usage possible, MacBooks can be uncomfortable for lap usage if too hot).

The metal is more "luxury", though.

0 comments

swiftcoder2mo ago

> MacBooks can be uncomfortable for lap usage if too hot

This was definitely the case in the Intel era, but I can't say I've had this problem since the move to Apple silicon

luke5441OP2mo ago

I have an Air. Maybe active cooling prevents it from getting too hot. With the Air, the metal body is kind of the heatsink.

I can configure my Snapdragon plastic laptop such that the fan doesn't turn on, so the body being metal isn't a requirement for not turning on the fan...

p_ing2mo ago

If the body was a heatsink, it would be extremely hot to the touch.

https://hothardware.com/news/make-your-m1-macbook-air-perfor...

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caycep2mo ago

hence the Neo and the iPhone chip!

kokanee2mo ago

YOU GUYS IT HAS A HEADPHONE JACK

joemi2mo ago

Don't all macbooks have one?

joecool10292mo ago

Makes me wonder if this is an ADA requirement for education devices. (assistive listening devices)

jkestner2mo ago

Not even ADA - kids all get headphones to listen to education materials. Wired headphones are way, way easier to manage.

zer0zzz2mo ago

It's almost as if they weren't lying when they said dropping it in the phone was a waterproofing measure. I guess people aren't dropping their laptops in pools all the time.

monocularvision2mo ago

There’s also plenty of room for it which is why it continues to appear on all MacBooks.

satvikpendem2mo ago

This isn't news, all MacBooks have one.

xnx2mo ago

> MacBooks can be uncomfortable for lap usage if too hot).

My body is the heatsink

arbirk2mo ago

Also for males it is natural birth control. Can be a plus depending on your situation

brailsafe2mo ago

I think the 14" and Air might get a little warmer, but I can't recall a time I've felt heat from my 16" M4 Pro, fan sound is rare. On my 13" Intel, it was comically easy to cook my balls and the fans were at max constantly

whateverboat2mo ago

Plastic is better if done right. I do not know a single manufacturer today which does plastic right.

binkHN2mo ago

> plastic is better than aluminium. It is robust (if done right), lighter and doesn't have good thermal conductivity (which makes laptop usage possible

Yep. I miss my plastic phones too.

pbreit2mo ago

I'd go further and suggest that metal is a lousy substance for laptop enclosures.

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