what does titanium or magnesium case really mean on a laptop?

[supernova87a]

Just got my new laptop, and it supposedly has a "magnesium case" for extreme durability... But when you look at it, it probably can't be distinguished from plastic with some more sparkle-like material added to the composition. Well, maybe it sounds a *little* different when you tap the surface.

Does anyone know what this stuff really is, and can I count on it being "tougher"?

Or have we all been taken in by the hype of magnesium/titanium marketing?

 

[Pederv]

We still get Panasonic Toughbooks, here at work, and they have magnesium cases. Some of the Toughbooks you're supposed to be able to run over with an 18-wheeler and still be able to use them.
One of the field engineers dropped his from the tail of a 747 (which is what 50 feet?) and it still worked.
One of the other techs got an old Panasonic P166 that had a magnisium chasis, that used to be used by the Hiway Patrol. He can stand on it (with the display down of course).
So I guess magnesium and titanium is supposed to make it tougher?

 

[Bozo Galora]

Magnesium, like aluminum or Iron, is one of the base metals.
Magnesium (alloys) are used extensively in Aerospace applications.
Magnesium (alloy - like ZK60) is stiffer and lighter than aluminum (alloy - like 7075)
The density of alum. (depending on alloy) is .098 - .101 lb/cu"
The density of Magnesium is .068 lb/cu" or ~32% lighter than aluminum
While magnesium is very strong and light, plastic is still much lighter
Thin wall cast Magnesium is much more "durable" than plastic, much more expensive to employ.
The magnesium is not subject to same warpage or wear or fracture possibilities of plastic.

 

[supernova87a]

Ok, these are the properties of the metals, but what I'm saying is that the laptop case is definitely not just pure metal here. It still feels like it has a considerable plastic component.

Maybe I'm wrong, though -- any case designers out there who know what this stuff is?

 

[supernova87a]

?

 

[Gunbuster]

For consumer level laptops, makes them look cool

 

[badga]

I may be wrong but i think part of the rationale for its use is the fatigue factor and ability to handle impacts. the cheaper ABS plastic used in some cheaper laptops will be more suceptible to cracks over time or due to a impact (dropping it from a 747 for example). Of course the case is just one component that needs to be toughened. As to the look and feel of it, I know the current Thinkpads are referred to as having a titanium composite where i suspect they put a more friendly plastic coating over the Ti.

b

 

[Beau]

I'd almost be willing to bet that it is just a dense ABS plastic or a G-10 polymer, colored to look like magnesium or alluminum.

 

[badga]

lets solve this one.....what did you get?

-b

 

[supernova87a]

I got an HP omnibook 500, it says "magnesium case".

Take a look here on HP's site.