How to make logo less prominent on black MacBook

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Level 3

548 points

How to make logo less prominent on black MacBook

Has anyone had a go at making the Apple logo black or charcoal on the black MacBook? I'm thinking about getting the black model because the matte finish looks a little more durable but the garish looking white logo is a put off.

Posted on Jun 4, 2006 1:44 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

ArchUrban

Level 4

1,160 points

Jun 4, 2006 2:27 AM in response to Christiaan

well, previous ibook was easily taken a part display to change . but macbook display, frame seem to attach by some strong glue instead of screws, or nut like ibook. this is point. you have to open shell, and change apple logo whatever you want. but macbook looks hard. so I don't recommend.

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Answer 2

carl wolf

Level 6

14,625 points

Jun 4, 2006 3:52 AM in response to Christiaan

Cover it with black fingernail polish.

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Answer 3

Christiaan Author

Level 3

548 points

Jun 4, 2006 4:01 AM in response to carl wolf

Cover it with black fingernail polish.

Wouldn't that risk melting the plastic? Also, I'd rather a matte finish (if I can't get to the underside).

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Answer 4

Tednol

Level 1

59 points

Jun 4, 2006 4:46 AM in response to Christiaan

I'd imagine the only way to get rid of it, would be to cover it up in some way. You could carefully cut out some card, use acrylic paint, whatever you fancy. Clearly there is no 'official' way of getting rid of it. I'd hazard a guess though, that virtually anything you may try will have the effect of making your Macbook cover look like an 8 year old childs art project.

Good luck, and I'd love to see photos of the end result.

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Answer 5

Christiaan Author

Level 3

548 points

Jun 4, 2006 4:59 AM in response to Tednol

I'd hazard a guess though, that virtually
anything you may try will have the effect of making
your Macbook cover look like an 8 year old childs art
project.

Yeah that's what I suspect would happen too, which is why I was hoping I'd be able to get to the underside of the clear plastic instead.

To cover it with a coating of some kind I think would mean careful preparation to a get a good key, the selection of a suitable paint coating and good masking skills. I've probably got the preparation and masking skills down, I just don't know which coating would suit.

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Answer 6

Jun 4, 2006 5:07 AM in response to Christiaan

Has anyone had a go at making the Apple logo black or charcoal on the black
MacBook? I'm thinking about getting the black model because the matte
finish looks a little more durable but the garish looking white logo is a put off.

Wow this is the first post stating that they didn't like the white apple on the black mac. Different strokes for different folks.

The white macbook's logo (white on white) is probably less noticable as there's less contrast. There is no way to dim the logo as its lit from the lcd back light.

I believe the white MB's enclosure is more durable and less likely to show abuse. I compared both side by side and I thought the white was better in that respect. I love the black one and how it looks but the durable finish was one of my major points that I wanted a MB for.

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Answer 7

Christiaan Author

Level 3

548 points

Jun 4, 2006 5:15 AM in response to Michael Flynn

I believe the white MB's enclosure is more durable
and less likely to show abuse. I compared both side
by side and I thought the white was better in that
respect.

I compared the glossy white and matte black in the store and the white ones were already looking worn out due to way the glossy finish shows up scratches more readily than the matte finish. The black machines were taking a betting and still looking, well, matte. Quite how you conclude a glossy finish to be more durable than a matte finish is beyond me.

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Answer 8

Jun 4, 2006 5:19 AM in response to Christiaan

Why not get a case that allows you to use the MacBook with it still in? I certainly wouldn't considering messing with the MacBook itself, it would significantly reduce the resale value for a start.

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Answer 9

Christiaan Author

Level 3

548 points

Jun 4, 2006 5:40 AM in response to Michael Flynn

Wow this is the first post stating that they didn't
like the white apple on the black mac.

Well some of us aren't Apple fanboys and just like a computer for its function. The garish logo on the black MacBook would provide absolutely no function for me. I'd actually prefer no logo at all but that isn't an option.

Frankly I'd find it kind of embarrassing walking around like a billboard.

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Answer 10

Christiaan Author

Level 3

548 points

Jun 4, 2006 5:36 AM in response to bilbo_baggins

Why not get a case that allows you to use the MacBook
with it still in?

Because it would be less functional for me, I'm not interested in using a laptop in that way. Again, I'm only looking for advice on how to alter the logo.

I certainly wouldn't considering messing with the MacBook
itself, it would significantly reduce the resale value for
a start.

That depends totally on the buyer. In fact, if done properly, it might increase the value.

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Answer 11

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Jun 4, 2006 6:16 AM in response to Christiaan

I'd actually prefer no logo at all but that isn't an option.

This came up some time back in the PB12 forum from memory. A person working for another computer manufacturer wanted to avoid strife at work by avoiding too obvious a display of the Apple logo. He ended up simply getting a nice big round removable sticker and putting it over the top. That way he didn't damage the computer, or reduce its resale value, but still managed to hide the offending logo. Pretty simple and effective solution, I would think, and much less likely to damage the plastic, or simply look like a cheap job, than using paint or nail polish etc (some types of nail polish, for example, will eat right through some plastics).

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 12

Christiaan Author

Level 3

548 points

Jun 4, 2006 6:24 AM in response to Rod Hagen

This came up some time back in the PB12 forum from memory. A person working for another computer manufacturer wanted to avoid strife at work by avoiding too obvious a display of the Apple logo. He ended up simply getting a nice big round removable sticker and putting it over the top. That way he didn't damage the computer, or reduce its resale value, but still managed to hide the offending logo. Pretty simple and effective solution, I would think, and much less likely to damage the plastic, or simply look like a cheap job, than using paint or nail polish etc (some types of nail polish, for example, will eat right through some plastics).

Yeah good points Rod and it is an option but I'm looking for something that will still look reasonably good (i.e. as if it was meant to be). I don't mind something permanent. My issue is more about personal aesthetics than what other people think (although, as mentioned, I would find the current logo kind of embarrassing).

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Answer 13

Jun 4, 2006 6:23 AM in response to Christiaan

the glossy finish shows up scratches more readily than the matte finish.

I've some pictures floating around the net where some of the finish has come off the black macbook. Clearly these are an incredible minority but they were sufficient enough to move me towards the white model.

The final deciding factor for me on the white vs black is the cost. In my opinion paying 200 more just for the color is not a wise use of my money. If you (or anyone) has the 200 to spare or that its an important feature by all means but for me it wasn't a good fit. I was tempted to exchange the white one for the black a while ago but I took the 200 dollars and upped the memory instead 🙂

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Answer 14

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Jun 4, 2006 6:31 AM in response to Christiaan

I suspect a decent sticker might actually look better than many more permanent "fixes" Christian. Its also one of those things that people do to their computers anyway, so it draws less attention than some other approaches.

Doesn't have to be cheap. Find something of quality that suits your personality or interests and use it as a way of "personalising" the computer, not just covering the existing logo.

Another option would be a very carefully cut piece of self adhesive plastic, in a matching colour and shape.

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 15

Christiaan Author

Level 3

548 points

Jun 4, 2006 6:32 AM in response to Michael Flynn

In my opinion paying 200 more just for the color is not a wise use of my money.

Yeah that's what I thought at first (although it's £100 for me). In fact I'd actually already ordered a white one online; to finish the deal however I need to sign the credit agreement (one of the 6 months interest free ones). In the mean time I went and compared them at the Apple Store and concluded that the black ones are more durable and will thus take more of a beating and hold there value for longer. Hence I'm thinking about changing my order to the black model, except for that **** logo.

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