Apple Researching High-End Titanium MacBook Casings With Unique Textured Finish

Apple is researching the use of processed titanium with unique properties for future MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones, according to a newly-granted patent application.

matte black macbook pro colorware

In a filing titled "Titanium parts having a blasted surface texture," granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and spotted by Patently Apple, Apple explains how various devices could adopt titanium casings with a distinctive textured finish.

The patent explains that anodized aluminum, used on current MacBooks and iPads, is not as hard or durable as titanium. However, the hardness of titanium makes it "very difficult to etch," meaning that it can be "aesthetically unattractive." The patent seeks to present a solution to this problem by outlining a blasting, etching, and chemical process to give a titanium enclosure a more attractive appearance.

titanium patent finish

Apple describes the textured surface as including "peaks separated by valleys," with specific micrometer measurements and gloss units. The process involves various techniques to impart "the blasted and etched titanium part with a fine-scale roughness," which allows it to retain "a high-gloss surface finish."

The "distinctive surface finish" is described as one "that both diffusely and specularly reflects visible light," and this is said to be structurally and aesthetically unlike any other conventional titanium part.

titanium patent devices

The patent also notes that this textured titanium casing would be appropriate for MacBooks, iPads, iPhones, and Apple Watches. Apple has used titanium cases for a small number of products, such as the PowerBook G4 that was available from 2001 to 2003. Apple's first foray into titanium casings was hampered by issues such as brittleness resulting in breakages, as well as paint that easily flaked off.

titanium powerbook g4

Today, the only Apple product to use a titanium casing is the Apple Watch Edition, which appears to be much closer to the unique finish described by the patent than the titanium PowerBook G4.

applewatchtitanium

Devices with titanium enclosures would be considerably more durable, but potentially also lighter if the weight of the metal could be offset by manufacturing stronger, thinner parts.

Last month, Apple was granted a patent for a matte black MacBook Pro finish, as the company continues to research ways to move beyond standard anodized aluminum casings.

Patent applications cannot be taken as proof of what Apple is intending to bring to market and many patented concepts never reach consumer products. Nonetheless, they provide an interesting insight into what Apple is researching and developing behind the scene, and hint at what we could see in the future.

Tag: Patent

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Top Rated Comments

jonnysods Avatar
55 months ago
I mean it looks amazing - price would be off the charts though surely!

I'm ok to buy an expensive Mac - but it has to translate to a computing advantage for me (ram, speed, space etc)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
55 months ago
USB-A ports and SD card readers, NAH. But THIS I can get behind.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Moonjumper Avatar
55 months ago
Micro-roughness, but a high-gloss finish. I'd rather not have high-gloss as it is not as grippy, especially for an iPhone or iPad. Matte often looks better.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Analog Kid Avatar
55 months ago
I’d forgotten how enormous the Ti MBP was... I thought it was amazing at the time, but it looks ancient and massive now.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
swingerofbirch Avatar
55 months ago
Why don't they just go ahead and patent all of the elements?

I know, I know, this is very innovative because they're talking about taking sandpaper to titanium.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macdos Avatar
55 months ago
Unobtainium is almost twice the density of aluminium, and also a tad bit more expensive. Do we really need it?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)