Bent plywood is a staple in modern (affordable) design.  It’s functional and practical, but, really, it’s nearing a saturation point.  Take for example this bent ply MacBook (Pro) case.  Designer Brian Kelly created the case as, “an exploration into the process of bending plywood…The laptop case is formed from two bent panels of plywood which slide along one another to encase the laptop computer.  The case is lined with cork to provide additional heat resistance and protection.”

Thanks to ISO50 for the tip.

Apple just launched their new line of MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops.  The rumors were true: new production process & carved aluminum cases, glass track pads, multi-touch, glass displays.  No Blu-Ray, though.  In addition the new Books are thinner, faster, and stocked with new GPUs from NVidia. (Two video cards on the MBPros - really???)  The new aluminum MacBook is boss, I want it NOW.  And the 128GB solid state drive option for new MBPros is incredible.  I’m excited.

The black & white MacBooks are sticking around, entry price dropped to $999 - unclear if you can get the new model starting that low.  Oh, and there’s also a new 24″ cinema display.

Thanks to MacWorld for the live coverage -

I sat down with a cup of coffee and Google Reader this morning (as I do), and found every geek, gadget, and design blog I subsribe to with a post about Apple’s “big announcement” coming next Tuesday.  News to me; I had no idea there was something planned for the 14th.  The bloggers are convinced that the annoucement will reveal major changes to the MacBook/MacBook Pro line of laptops.  Apple, of course, is saying nothing now, not even that there is an announcement planned.  I don’t know how these things start, but they’re usually only half true.  I’m sure there will be an announcement on Tuesday, but I doubt it will be as awesome as glass track pads or cases carved from solid aluminium.  I wouldn’t mind being wrong, though.