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Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by graystevens on Friday October 19, 2018 @01:25PM (#18258304)
I’m working on a skin for developer laptops so that you can apply those sweet conference and startup stickers. No more risking your resale value, or even physically risking damage to your expensive MacBook.

I want the skins to be identical to the original laptop material so that they are practically invisible. So for the MacBooks, a silver aluminium sticker (or space grey etc.)

I’ve done a proof of concept and it worked brilliantly (in the process of writing this up) and its allowed me to display my old ‘laptop’ as a keepsake, whilst being able to sell the laptop on in almost perfect condition.

I’m thinking of going down the crowdfunding route, as a way of proving there is a market, as well as helping to fund someone of the equipment needed.

Edit: Added they’d be a near identical match to the original laptop, rather than just a plain ‘sticker’

Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by vtange on Friday October 19, 2018 @02:25PM (#18258822)
If the skin is that similar to the original silver color and texture of original Macbooks you might also see a market for giving non-Macbook laptops that Macbook color look.
Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by admiralEyebrows on Friday October 19, 2018 @01:57PM (#18258600)
I'm interested! How did the proof of concept turn out? Any chance you could make to order...
Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by graystevens on Friday October 19, 2018 @03:00PM (#18259085)
I personally really liked how the PoC went – I plan on doing a full write up in the next couple of days, which will outline what I did, start to finish.

Here is an example of the sticker/skin and the finish. Excuse the slightly 'off' cut on the corner – I'm looking to produce a highly accurate template for each of the various models. https://imgur.com/FfQ3XQs

Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by ecesena on Saturday October 20, 2018 @08:27PM (#18266205)
If I can give you a recommendation, set up a waitlist before you publish your blog post.

We just went through this process with Solo (mentioned in another comment): blogging, waitlist, kickstarter. HN has been great, we hit the front page four times. KS however is penalized on HN, so building a waitlist will be increadibly useful.

Best of luck!

edit: grammar

Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by lukevp on Friday October 19, 2018 @11:07PM (#18261512)
Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by superhuzza on Friday October 19, 2018 @01:29PM (#18258345)
I don't really understand, how is this different than any of the other laptop skins on the market? Couldn't I just get a blank one from alibaba or whatever and use that?
Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by graystevens on Friday October 19, 2018 @01:32PM (#18258376)
Edited to explain a little further - missed out a key point that they’d match then original style of the laptop.
Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by hazz99 on Saturday October 20, 2018 @05:45AM (#18262540)
I'd be interested in buying this. Do you have an online store yet?
Re:Ask HN: What are you working on and why is it cool? by graystevens on Saturday October 20, 2018 @07:21AM (#18262748)
Not yet, still gauging interest (and trying to find a reliable source for the vinyl). I’ll be sure to tell HN when that becomes a reality.