
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.
Join Discussion