Painting an aluminum Macbook.

Here is a Speck case on eBay that someone painted a graphic on.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

Personally, I would get something like a clear Speck SeeThru plastic case and do the design on there. They are super thin and light, and fit like a glove. Why screw up the aluminum on the laptop?

I got a brand new cranberry-colored one on eBay for $10.00.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

It does on my MacBook Air. You might email Speck support or someone selling them on eBay for the aluminum MacBook.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

Without a proper clearcoat the paint will eventually flake away. I recommend having it professionally done. Try Colorware. They can replicate any design you give them (in vector or raster).

www.colorwarepc.com

Speck cases for the unibody machines don't have the same problem that they did with the more "squared" poly MacBooks and older MacBook Pros with regard to limiting how much you can open them.

A good option might be the InvisibleShield:

http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield/apple-macbook-13-inch-cases-covers-skins-shi elds.php

It's a very thin layer that is super durable (it's used to coat helicopter blades). It's a little pricey... but generally well worth it. I have a Speck case for my MBs... but if you don't want to go that route, the InvisibleShield is a good option. Of course I'm not sure how well the paint would adhere to that. The folks at ZAGG are very helpful. I'm sure if you gave them a call, they would be able to let you know.

i like the idea of painting a case in the event you might want to change the design, but I will add this. paint the inside of the case. not the outside. otherwise you'll end up with a scratched and chipped paint job over time

however I"m also curious about painting directly on the computer (I"m actually thinking an imac myself). some kind of model paint perhaps. my concern would be if the paint might somehow affect the laptop being able to properly give off heat etc.

Which is very expensive, I'm sure he wanted to paint it to save...