The makers would have to produce a mould, cast the head, machine it to a suitable finish, turn a wooden handle and then assemble the parts.

ECONOMIST: A third industrial revolution | The

The matte finish and IPS technology lend the machine very wide viewing angles as well -- you can tip the screen a ways forward before images start to wash out, and watching Netflix with friends shouldn't be an issue, as we had no problem viewing the action even at extreme off-angles.

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Ultimately, too, both deserve to be handled with kid gloves: whichever machine you choose, you'll find the smooth metal finish is quite vulnerable to scratches and greasy fingerprint smudges.

ENGADGET: Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display review (mid 2012)