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Badwisdom · Oct 28, 2003, 08:19 AM

Heyall,

before owning a fantastic 17' Rev B Powerbook, i had a Ti 1Ghz with 1G RAM and loved it. I took care of it like it was my own child and it was in perfect condition.

That is before one day on the parking lot when i was carrying loads of bags including one that had my Powerbook inside. I started loading the car and for some reason forgot the bag near the left front wheel. I get inside and start reversing my car out of its parking space when i feel a slight bump on my front left wheel. Then i see my co-worker waving his arms frantically at me. I must have been asleep because i decide to put my car back into its space. Another *bump*. I see him kneel down next to my door and he shows me the case. I was livid. My life was over. Well maybe not. The powerbook was insured so a replacement was not a real problem. But the Data i had inside was priceless, not replaceable, and above all not backed up.
I open the bag and sure enought the screen is destroyed, the case is bent and there is absolutely no way it will work. I mean i drove a one ton car TWICE on it so the Hard disk and motherboard and every sensitive element must have been crushed..... right ?

Wrong !!! I plug it in my 17' Apple display and to my amazement, it boots up and works just as well as before. No lost data, no processor crushed, a perfectly working powerbook with a smashed screen. I still use it today with my external monitor, and its been two months.

So dont worry. If you ever 'drive' on your powerbook, just know that it will still work. Unless its with a three ton SUV or something. But this is still a great testimony to the workmanship of Apple, and one of the many reasons why i am an 8 month Apple lover

rjenkinson · Oct 28, 2003, 08:23 AM

did you call applecare?

-r.

swiz · Oct 28, 2003, 08:24 AM

What type of insurance did you use on it? Just part of home owners through your regular insurance company? Good to know

spatterson · Oct 28, 2003, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by swiz:
What type of insurance did you use on it? Just part of home owners through your regular insurance company? Good to know

My StateFarm insurance only covers it if its stolen, or if my house burns down etc. If I break it, nope they don't cover it.

swiz · Oct 28, 2003, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by spatterson:
My StateFarm insurance only covers it if its stolen, or if my house burns down etc. If I break it, nope they don't cover it.

Did you have to take it in to get the insurance started or just provide proof of purchase at the time of theft or demise?

vancenase · Oct 28, 2003, 10:29 AM

is your PB covered under your home owner's insurance through state farm? or did you have to specifically obtain a quote for it? if you did, do you mind telling exactly how much it was? i'm thinking of doing it ...

nobitacu · Oct 28, 2003, 10:56 AM

I would of fixed it up or replace the LCD anyways. But of course that's because I take my Powerbook on the road all the time.

Ming

TheIceMan · Oct 28, 2003, 11:03 AM

For those wondering about insurance that covers accidental damage or stolen laptops, check out SAfeWare.

///Milien · Oct 28, 2003, 11:06 AM

I have State Farm Insurance covered on my PowerBooks and iBook under their inland marine policy. It covers accidents, theft, etc. and is a separate policy from homeowners/theft. Basically Applecare with theft insurance in my eyes.

spatterson · Oct 28, 2003, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by swiz:
Did you have to take it in to get the insurance started or just provide proof of purchase at the time of theft or demise?

Good question... I will call them and find out. Luckly I haven't ever had file a claim. But its always good to know what to do if it would happen. Like I said I will call them.

djjava · Oct 28, 2003, 11:11 AM

show us some photos please.... i've heard this story told before... i wanna see what the 17" looks liek after being run over.

spatterson · Oct 28, 2003, 02:34 PM

Talked to State Farm. If your PB gets stolen then you can start a claim without a police report. She said it would be much much easier with a police report since there would be more evidence of it being taken. Also talked to them about damage caused by your domicile and she said all that is covered.

Badwisdom · Oct 28, 2003, 03:03 PM

I live in France, so i dont really know if theres the equivalent in other countries. I bought the Powerbook in a major department store which provides insurance that covers accidental damages, theft and all sorts of other random occurences. It costs $300 but there is much more coverage than Applecare.

I will take a couple of pictures this week and post them on this thread. id really like to replace the screen but i think it would cost too much : i think it is around $1000 if memory serves. Id rather buy a new ibook for a few hundred dollars more.

swiz · Oct 28, 2003, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by spatterson:
Talked to State Farm. If your PB gets stolen then you can start a claim without a police report. She said it would be much much easier with a police report since there would be more evidence of it being taken. Also talked to them about damage caused by your domicile and she said all that is covered.

Thanks for the info, I use State Farm also, I'll be making a stop by there now

.

rjenkinson · Oct 28, 2003, 04:23 PM

i still think he should have called applecare for a laugh.

-r.

xylon · Oct 28, 2003, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by rjenkinson:
i still think he should have called applecare for a laugh.

-r.

Haha, that conversation would be interesting. I can just see the tech guy trying to figure out how to politely tell you you're an idiot. :-)

Happy to hear that you got the data back and that my PB has the potential to withstand being runover. I hope you'll excuse me if I don't test that potential though.

Bonhomme7heures · Oct 29, 2003, 12:43 AM

My friend's father drop his titanium down the stairs with the lid open. It's now being used has a fully operational computer with an external screen.

Wonder when the screen will become though enough...