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So how much punishment can a MBP take?

H

HiddenWolf

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 9, 2007
8
0
I am looking to buy a 15" SR MBP over the next couple of weeks.
Planning to lug it around to university for a couple of years. No problem you'll say.

My problem is that I am in a wheelchair, and the mbp will have to ride in a backpack that rests against the back of my chair. That means it'll feel every curb that I do, and all uneven pavement as well.

How careful will I have to be with a mbp? Does it bend or dent easily? My previous laptop was a cheap acer, the plastic casing of which neatly ripped after a few months.

How can I best protect the mbp in this situation? And how easy-going is apple with applecare? I'm a bit nervous about this, considering previous experience.
 
Get one of the 'hard cases'; that is, a case with a hard exterior. I believe someone linked a really nice one in the 'latest gen accessories' thread. With that you should be fine, as the case will take most of the impact.
 
HiddenWolf said:
I am looking to buy a 15" SR MBP over the next couple of weeks.
Planning to lug it around to university for a couple of years. No problem you'll say.

My problem is that I am in a wheelchair, and the mbp will have to ride in a backpack that rests against the back of my chair. That means it'll feel every curb that I do, and all uneven pavement as well.

How careful will I have to be with a mbp? Does it bend or dent easily? My previous laptop was a cheap acer, the plastic casing of which neatly ripped after a few months.

How can I best protect the mbp in this situation? And how easy-going is apple with applecare? I'm a bit nervous about this, considering previous experience.
Click to expand...


hope this helps HiddenWolf!

basically i would recommend using a hard case that will not shake the inside contents easily and then puting it inside of your backpack, you will just need to make sure its very secure on your chair so when it does shake it stays as secure as possible!

also for apple care they wont cover accidental problems..

your best bet for this is contact your insurance company that deal with accidental fault and add your new MBP to your plan!

it should work fine, good luck mate!
 
I guess such a hard case would protect against scratching and denting, but it does not cushion the laptop from anything does it?

I managed to rip the hinge of that acer I had while it was in my backpack, so I'd like to make sure that this one stays operational for quite a while longer.
 
HiddenWolf said:
I guess such a hard case would protect against scratching and denting, but it does not cushion the laptop from anything does it?

I managed to rip the hinge of that acer I had while it was in my backpack, so I'd like to make sure that this one stays operational for quite a while longer.
Click to expand...

Then you might consider putting the MacBook Pro in a sleeve like this.
 
Tom Bihn makes a nice hard case - the brain cell or something. It protects very well against bumps and hits. Also, Brenthaven metro is hard and suspends the laptops too, I believe.
 
If it could take a bullet (Brazilian robber story), then it can take everyday abuse. :D
 
PDE said:
Tom Bihn makes a nice hard case - the brain cell or something. It protects very well against bumps and hits. Also, Brenthaven metro is hard and suspends the laptops too, I believe.
Click to expand...
I agree! Definately check out Tom Bihn's Brain Cell's. They are basically a hard outer shell (covered in fabric so it's easy on the eyes) where the laptop actually hangs suspended in the middle of the case. On their website they put an egg in the sleeve and drop it on the floor, the egg comes out without a scratch.
 
I beat my Macs up pretty badly, and I don't mind some dings.

Get a good case or sleeve and you should be fine.
 
I carry my Aluminum PowerBook G4 in a briefcase specifically made for the 15" PB. It fits the PB so snugly that it doesn't move around, and is hard enough to protect from dents and drops. It is a bit bulkier than a sleeve, but it looks so professional that I don't mind.
 
Suggestion

If you have read my thread about my new MBP, you know I absolutely love it, couldn't be happier with my purchase.

Having said that, and given your specific requirements for durability, if you can afford one, you may want to look into a Panasonic Toughbook.

Mac's are extremely well made, but are not designed to take abnormal punishment, while Toughbooks are designed for just that purpose.

Good luck!
 
matthewinnj said:
If you have read my thread about my new MBP, you know I absolutely love it, couldn't be happier with my purchase.

Having said that, and given your specific requirements for durability, if you can afford one, you may want to look into a Panasonic Toughbook.

Mac's are extremely well made, but are not designed to take abnormal punishment, while Toughbooks are designed for just that purpose.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

That would be a good suggestion for the OP, but the problem with a toughbook is that it is huge and runs WINDOWS... if only there was the iTough, oh HEY WWDC! (noooope)
 
iTough

iToaster said:
That would be a good suggestion for the OP, but the problem with a toughbook is that it is huge and runs WINDOWS... if only there was the iTough, oh HEY WWDC! (noooope)
Click to expand...

I like that!
Better trademark that now, before it's too late!

And yes, I agree, it is a shame that it's a Windows box, but I'd hate to see someone spend that much money on a computer only to not have it last because of conditions that cannot be helped.

Maybe a MBP with a good protective sleeve/bag combo will do the trick.
 
you should get the speck case, the only downside is that it insulates heat, raising average temps 1-2 degrees.

I have the clear one.
 
e12a said:
you should get the speck case, the only downside is that it insulates heat, raising average temps 1-2 degrees.

I have the clear one.
Click to expand...

Only 1-2 degrees?
That's pretty good, considering. I was afraid it'd be much more.

I'm looking into the brenthaven pro 15/17 backpack, but I'm not convinced. I guess I'll have to see how it works out.
 
I had a flat party recently, and my MBP was the jukebox. Some drunk idiot was carrying a chair and put it on the floor, but as he was doing so, the chair leg smacked into my MBP.

Needles to say, it didn't leave that much of a dent. It's more of a finger nail dent (picture putting your nails into a lump of blu-tac).

The aluminium case will probably take more bashing than a plastic case since it will dent rather than crack.
 
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