[greymon]

I need one that can withstand the Desert Environment!

[Scooterboy]

iBook then. You'll still have to watch for sand getting inside, but the iBook is the most durable mac portable.

[Sarc]

specially the new one made out of -supposed- bullet proof plastic, and the HDD is in a rubber casing.

[SplijinX]

Check out the Wired article that came out some time ago: http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,57961,00.html

As far as aftermarket outfitters that ruggedizes the powerbook, I haven't heard of any. Might be best to buy a laptop that is specifically suited for those conditons - check out http://www.ruggednotebooks.com/

[shabbasuraj]

http://itronix.com/Products/matrix.asp

get one of those...

not a Mac, but the most durable...

I used one for a week in the field, and was utterly amazed at the construction...

watch the video...(funny stuff or scary depending on how you look at it...)

http://www.itronix.com/products/notebooks/gobookmax.asp

[Fillman]

I travel out to remote Australian mine sites frequently with my PB12". You wouldn't believe some of the dust that accumulates in working areas. So far my PB12" and the G3 Pismo before it never suffered any harm from the environment. If you just have to work in a not-too-clean environment then just keep a rag handy and wipe down everything after use.

I don't really see the need for ruggedising since the cost usually doubles the price of the machine. I would suggest you use carefully and buy a new one with better specs a little earlier with the money that you have saved.

Unless you want to sit on Brighton Beach and use community Wi-Fi access!

[RooneyX]

Originally posted by greymon:
I need one that can withstand the Desert Environment!

Call Ashcroft!

[cdhostage]

That iTronix laptop would make a good club in a pinch. Look Ma no dents!

Seriously, if you're looking for a rugged computer, get one of the new iBooks. Put rubber protectors on each corner, make a cover for the ports, get several clear covers for the screen (replace after a sandstorm - better than abrading the screen). I don't know how best to seal the keyboard from sand and dust - some mildly shrinking plastic set over it and shrunk to fit.

[shabbasuraj]

after using an itronix notebook, there is no substitute for hazardous conditions...I actually was using it in the rain with no prob...my buddy (185 lbs) also stepped on it acidentally because I put it down somewhere in the mud, and it came out fine...(it actually started to rain, and the thing got covered in mud and this is actually how we found the notebook, by him stepping on it...funny)...

scary... I can't even imagine what would happen to my 12" if I stepped on it...

I love my Mac too much to bring it somewhere where it has the potential to be damaged...

[Fillman]

I love my Mac too much to bring it somewhere where it has the potential to be damaged... [/B]

Sometimes you have just got to take your Powerbook into the lab. Here's mine earlier this morning in the mechanics lab surrounded by bricks, cement and mine tailings slurries.

http://homepage.mac.com/tgrice/PB12-In_Lab.jpg

Keep you hands clean and wipe it down afterwards. Now don't tell Applecare.....

[Saleo]

MacADDICT had an article about soldiers and their powerbooks. They had a bunch of tips on protecting your powerbook in such harsh conditions.

[brachiator]

Originally posted by RooneyX:
Call Ashcroft!

That would really be Rummy -- but you couldn't trust anything he said publicly. You'd have to commission a secret, leaked, internal report as to whether he could do you up with the required gear!