Comments update: Apple's newly launched MacBook computer and Will.i.am's comments on 3D-printing human bodies were the most discussed stories this week.

Unveiled during a live event in California yesterday, Apple's new MacBook is just 13.1 millimetres thick, doesn't have a fan to cool it down, and only features one USB port.

"Good luck doing anything serious with this," said a commenter calling themselves buddy guy. "Apple is putting form over function."

Other readers agreed. "It's designed for someone who wants to use a computer as an iPad with a keyboard," said WaxWing. "It's pretty junk, but still junk."

One reader said that the increasingly minimal number of components used in Apple's devices would eventually enable fully automated production.

"Its products are becoming so precise that human beings will no longer be needed in their manufacture," said The Liberty Disciple. "Raw materials, research, design, marketing, and retail will be all that's left when robots take over manufacture and shipping." Read the comments on this story »

Will.i.print? In an interview with Dezeen, music producer and chief creative officer at 3D Systems Will.i.am predicted that 3D printing would be used to create human bodies in "our lifetime", provoking a strong response from readers.

"Rest easy Will, I think replicating the central nervous system with a 3D printer may prove to be a challenge," said Denise Grayson.

"The process of development the body goes through from conception to maturity can't be replicated through 3D printing," added generalpopulation. "This is just plain arrogance on behalf of humanity, thinking it can do in a couple of decades what it took over three billion years of evolution to do."

Not all commenters agreed. "Growing a clone and transferring your consciousness will be possible in our lifetime," wrote Nils Hitze. "We will get there soon, but not the way Will.i.am predicts." Read the comments on this story »

Soccer scorcher: Foster + Partners will design the football stadium that will host the opening game of the controversial 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Holding the competition in a country with an extremely hot climate has focused attention on the stadium's cooling capabilities.

"They want to keep the temperature below 26 degrees Celsius?" asked Leo. "Good luck with that, unless all the matches are played at night."

"It will be a triumph of design to keep the players cool enough to play in this country," added James. "But what about the fans travelling to and from the stadium?"

However, one reader suggested the design by Foster + Partners could offer new solutions to living in searingly hot countries. "I'm sure the stadium will be suitable for competitive matches," said Marie. "It might even provide us all with new ways of dealing with a global temperature rise."

"We should welcome the opportunity to explore new architectural challenges," she added. Read the comments on this story »

Orchestrated dispute: Readers discussed the role of developers, politicians and architects following Jean Nouvel's legal move to disassociate himself from his "unfinished" Paris concert hall.

"Bravo," exclaimed one commenter calling themselves argh. "It is time for the architects to stand against developers close to the politicians".

ArchiPol disagreed, claiming that "a lot of architects are not willing to take part in a more responsible role in concerns of costs and timing."

"If this project is spiralling with cost overruns it was doomed from the beginning," added Paul Puzzello. Read the comments on this story »