Sorry, a very thin cast complicated piece of aluminum is not going to have the strength and finish with predictable grain of a cold-rolled aluminum block machined to shape.
I've noticed recently a trend for people to project their values onto Apple. The problem is their values tend to be inferior, so they can't understand the emphasis on technologies that improve the quality of a device. Just because casting's good enough for you doesn't mean it's good enough for the anal-retentive, obsessive-compulsive Jobs.
My guess is (knowing Chinese manufacturing and how the chain works) that the supplier of those parts was simply given a drawing and a specification, and allowed to make the parts as they desired (quite common).
You have no idea how Apple works with manufacturers, do you? They are famous for not working like you or Dell do. Apple never says "What are the current capabilities of your factory?" and then designs accordingly within those limits and hands it over to be produced. Apple dictates to manufacturers, requires manufacturers to ramp-up technologies, even Apple-invented ones, to produce the Apple design. Jobs is too proud and too much of a control freak to just let manufacturers pump out the usual commodity products using their own ways and standards.
a dubious claim to say the least, as most metals can be so controlled with existing processes
You still miss the point. Amorphous metals have been known for years. An inexpensive way to mass produce them -- effectively injection molding like plastics -- is the contribution of LiquidMetal. A bit better than machined aluminum at a higher volume and lower price, of course Apple's going for it.
and those alloys are considerably more expensive than the typical alloys used for computer parts
It's not like there will be much used on any one device. Also consider that these alloys aren't used much, making them expensive. Think of the volume Apple would buy if full production commenced using those alloys. Apple is also known for buying crazy bulk quantities of things, like contracting for a significant percentage of Samsung's NAND capacity, enough to cause NAND shortages in Asia last year. Apple actually makes NAND spot prices go up by reserving massive quantities up front at a price, leaving everybody else fighing over the now-limited remainder according to the laws of economics.
Also think about the actual volume of one of the thin Apple unibody aluminum enclosures, then remember that Apple can go thinner with a LiquidMetal alloy. With a cheap, plastic-like injection molding process for a replacement metal, Apple could save a bunch regardless of material cost.
I see a lot of sour grapes going on here.
And you know that - how? And is the strength enough for the purpose? That's what design and analysis is used for.
The last time I disassembled my Mac Book Pro, the outer aluminum shell was NOT the structural member of the laptop; it was a nice cosmetic cover.
You have no idea how Apple works with manufacturers, do you? They are famous for not working like you or Dell do.
I'll be back at Foxconn and Compal in October, on some Apple projects. I'll get pictures of their production line if you'd like. I know how they work with manufacturers as I spend time at those manufacturers getting things done for Apple!
And then I've also gone to the suppliers that companies like Foxconn, Compal, and Flextronics use to make the big parts. Those smaller, 2nd tier suppliers that make a huge number of the subcomponents that the bigger players then assemble. You'd be surprised what you find there.
You still miss the point. Amorphous metals have been known for years. An inexpensive way to mass produce them -- effectively injection molding like plastics -- is the contribution of LiquidMetal.
Except that the LM claims don't hold up. They've been peddling their product for a decade now, and essentially NO ONE is using it, because it doesn't meet the claims. I've worked with the stuff (looking at linear springs), and it wasn't anything special. Have you actually worked with - held - a piece of LM in your hands? Didn't think so...
Also consider that these alloys aren't used much, making them expensive. Think of the volume Apple would buy if full production commenced using those alloys.
Hey, if Apple wants to use high magnesium content alloys, or titanium/cadmium blends, go for it! And watch those parts skyrocket in price as the raw material - while readily available - is an order of magnitude beyond aluminum.
I see a lot of sour grapes going on here.
I see a lot of Kool Aid being drunk, and strangely it's grape flavored!