April 22nd, 2008
Interview: Alex Wiley, creator of the gold MacBook
In October 2007 an outfit called Computer Choppers gave us the 24-karat gold-plated MacBook Pro (15-inch) complete with diamond-studded Apple logo. Now comes the gold MacBook Air (pictured) with multi-colored sapphires in the Apple logo.
Computer Choppers offers the following plating options:
- Chrome
- Black Nickel
- 24kt Yellow Gold
- White Gold
- Rose Gold
- Platinum
Each plating type comes with three distinct finishes:
- Satin (brushed)
- Crystallite (flat)
- Polished
The company notes that non-standard plating is available by request in brass, bronze, copper, silver, champagne gold, and almond gold.
I spoke with Alex Wiley, owner of Computer Choppers today about his unique service.
O’Grady: So how much is a gold-plated MacBook Air?
Wiley: It depends on the amount of options that you want, but it’s about US$5,000 for gold polished exterior with the crystallite (flat) interior. Jewelry is extra.
O: How much extra for the multi-colored sapphire treatment to the Apple logo?
W:Again it depends on the size and amount of stones. The one that’s pictured on our Web site has about 70-80 2mm stones and costs about US$3,000 extra.
O: Was that first one for a client or for promotion?
W: It’s a promotional unit that we made to photograph.
O: Who’s it going to?
W: It’s being shipped out to Lauren Davis, editor for Vogue magazine today for a photo shoot for the July issue.
O: When did you start plating computers?
W: We’ve been doing plating since last September, plating 99.9% Apple products.
O: What are some of your most popular requests?
W: We’ve done the iMac, iPod, iPhone and the MacBooks.
O: What’s the most expensive Apple product that you’ve done?
W: I’ve shipped a couple of items in the US$20-30k range.
O: I’m assuming that Paris and Britney have accounts?
W: Actually, we’re under NDA with my celebrity clients.
O: Who can you tell us has placed an orders?
W: We’ve sold to some very high ranking people in Kuwait, lots of interest in the Middle East.
O: How many units have you sold to date?
W: Probably a couple dozen, each one is different.
O: What’s the turnaround time on a gold Mac?
W: About 3-4 weeks for standard stuff, gold, platinum…
O: What about adding jewelry?
W: Jewelry takes a month or longer, depending on sourcing the stones.
Jason D. O'Grady is the editor of PowerPage.org, which has been publishing daily mobile technology news since December 1995. For disclosures on Jason's industry affiliations, click here or to view Jason's full profile click here.
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