Based on growing up with a father in the aluminum industry: Actually, aluminum oxidizes very quickly when exposed to air. Aluminum oxide is harder than aluminum, so the fact that it oxidizes quickly is a good thing. I'm actually happy that Apple went with aluminum -- my TiBook felt fragile in comparison to my AlBook. -- Glenn L. Austin <>< Computer Wizard and Race Car Driver <glenn at austin-home.com> <http://www.austin-home.com/glenn/>