The lawyers won’t let us call this Extreme Makeover, Mac Edition.

Colorize It

Giving your Mac a full-body paint job is one of those things you could theoretically do yourself, but it’s best left to the pros. And applying paint isn’t even the tough part - first you’d have to strip the Mac down to its paintable shell. That’s why the smart money seeks professional help from ColorWare, a company that’s had plenty of practice custom-painting PCs over the years - and, lately, Macs as well. The process is simple: Just send in your MacBook, MacBook Pro, aluminum PowerBook, or iMac, and for $449, ColorWare will skin it and apply your choice of sexy colors such as Candy Apple, Cotton Candy, Lilac, or Wet - or any color you desire for an extra $100. Approximately 8 to 10 business days later, you’ll have the most colorful Mac on the block.

You can also colorize a Mac mini ($99) or iPod ($64 to $94). If you’re in the market for a new machine, ColorWare sells brand-new, already-painted products so you don’t have to endure the separation anxiety while your baby’s off at color camp (but the process still takes 8 to 10 days, and actually costs a few hundred bucks more).

Skin It

If painting and laser etching are too permanent (or pricey) for your tastes, you can get a similar effect for a whole lot less - well, maybe. We’ve been fans of MacSkinz for years because we dig the cool designs, low cost, and ease of removal when we inevitably change our mind. But lo! Production problems have stymied MacSkinz’s notebook products. Until MacSkinz gets back in the game, plan B comes from Speck Products: the SeeThru Hard Shell for 15-inch MacBook Pro. Basically, it’s like one of those hard-shell plastic iPod cases you’ve seen, but for your MacBook. Vent slots and portholes keep the book cool and connected, respectively.

Your MacBook can look this swanky in exchange for $49.95.