Filed under: Accessories, iBook, PowerBook
Skyn laptop covers
In my relentless pursuit for all that is stylish or feminine
in the world of tech, I come across some interesting accessories. One such product that I'm not in the market for are
Skyns' girly laptop covers. These glorified stickers
(described as "durable plastic/adhesive laptop covers") are not exactly my cup of tea. It's not the lack of color or size choices for iBooks, PowerBooks or MacBook Pros that turn me off to the Skyn product line but rather the fact that it's nothing more than a large sticker. Yes, the adhesive may be specially formulated to remove cleanly without leaving residue, but the fact of the matter is I'd rather buy a Colorware laptop or have my laptop custom laser engraved. If I put a big sticker on my machine, it will be one that I've personally customized or designed.
[via Gizmodo]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
brandon Hays said 10:46AM on 3-09-2006
Skinit does the same thing, but lets you upload a picture.
http://www.skinit.com/item--Apple-PowerBook-G4-15--msap3002.html
However, I'd still opt for the Colorware option, if only I could afford $450 to paint my wife's Powerbook pink! Seriously? $450? I think that's $100 more than when I last checked. When it's available, I'm stoked to see MacSkinz, a custom-fit thin hard shell, but they're not available yet.
http://www.macskinz.com/MACSKINZ/designs.html
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brandon Hays said 10:50AM on 3-09-2006
One more thing that I can't find anywhere on the Web: Re-anodization. My friend that works at the Apple Store swears there are places that will re-anodize the aluminum from your powerbook in colors (Al?he Pink RAZR), but I can find no such place, only the occasional caution that re-anodization weakens the aluminum. Is there anywhere that does such a thing?
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Tomm said 11:42AM on 3-09-2006
When my Powerbook goes out of its warrantee period I will seriously consider getting it anodised. I have contacts who can anodise basically anything (as far as I'm aware) for as little as 10, but I wouldn't trust myself to take apart my Powerbook just at the moment.
I don't see why it would weaken the metal, it's just a surface coating. I've certainly never heard that before.
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David C. said 12:39PM on 3-09-2006
for PowerBooks and iBooks, I'm a fan of
http://colourfulapples.com
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ben said 3:00PM on 3-09-2006
#2 & #3-
I work with aluminum aircraft structures on a daily basis (I am in the Air Force).
What people usually refer to when they speak of aluminum being weakened by anodizing is actually a reduction in part thickness.
Part of the process of anodizing aluminum involves dipping the part in either sulfuric acid or chromic acid; it is during this process that a negligible layer of aluminum is lost.
This acid bath is necessary for removing the thin layer of aluminum oxide that forms on the surface of the metal. Aluminum oxide is very hard and insoluble, and it interferes with any coating process (including traditional painting).
Some metals (especially the high-strength steels) are susceptible to a condition called hydrogen embrittlement. It is caused by interactions between the metal and the hydrogen ions present in acids. This phenomemon, although serious in ferrous materials, is not a great concern with aluminum and magnesium; aluminum and magnesium are both commonly treated with acid prior to paint application in addition to the chemical milling process at the factory.
In the end, I wouldn't worry about anodized coatings weakening your powerbook. The F-16 contains thousands of anodized aluminum parts, and they all seem to work just fine.
Metallurgy is fun ;-)
ben
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teletran2 said 11:01PM on 3-09-2006
Still waiting for MacSkinz to get their act together.
http://macskinz.com
Form fitting plastic instead of all this sticker junk every one has.
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John said 9:03AM on 3-10-2006
...and I'm still waiting for a giant floral-print sticker to cover my F-16.
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Antoin said 8:53AM on 6-05-2006
Hi there, we at aspoke.com will print a single skin for you with your own design, if that's what you're looking for. The apple light will shine through the skin!
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