An interesting report over at Electronista details a new patent granted Apple to help with structural integrity for notebooks. As the article notes, one problem faced by current notebook makers is that there is often a compromise made, with notebooks either being compact and fragile or bulky and durable, and Apple’s patent potentially solves this problem.

Apple’s solution is to replace screws with an improved fastening system on the edges of the two pieces that form the face of the notebook. Components would also be used to create an electrical bond that improves case rigidity. The patent even specifically mentions the application of this technology to carbon fiber, which certainly invites some interesting possibilities for both the upcoming sub-notebook and future MacBook Pros and MacBooks.

One way or another, it’s nice to know that Apple is working on this problem. Too many laptops have a troubling amount of flex in their case, and being able to have both durability and portability is obviously the holy grail for case design.

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