[Maayan]

Hey, guys! I lent my baby, a 17" Aluminium Powerbook G4, to my younger brother for the duration of his three-week trip to Israel. Well, it got back a few weeks ago with a momma of a scratch on the left side of the palmrest and a large dent on the rightmost lower side of the bottom case (that is, the corner nearest the area where you insert CDs).

I'm sick over it. I did some research yesterday, and discovered PBFixIt.com, which offers a discount on Powerbook repair parts. However, some $300 per part (the upper and lower cases) is one heck of a lot too rich for my blood, needless to say.

Any suggestions? I've discovered a product called "Conceal" (http://www.buyconceal.com/) which claims to cover up scrapes and scratches on your Powerbook case; however, the reviews I've read of their Titanium Powerbook concealer, "TiPaint", have not been favorable. Besides, I was a bit suspicious when the sales representative with whom I was corresponding reassured me, "Conceal works BETTER on deep scratches! The worse the damage, the better it'll work!"

Again, I'm sick over this. I feel like I've just purchased a BMW, only to discover that some kid went ahead and scratched up the hood during the night. Any help would be much appreciated.

[hldan]

I certainly hope your brother is as sick about it as you are. You didn't mention if he is still living...
I think the options that you found so far are your best choice. It's good to have the Safeware insurance. You pay one fee and they will cover any type of accidental damage to your Powerbook. www.safeware.com

[Maayan]

Originally posted by hldan:
I certainly hope your brother is as sick about it as you are. You didn't mention if he is still living...
I think the options that you found so far are your best choice. It's good to have the Safeware insurance. You pay one fee and they will cover any type of accidental damage to your Powerbook. www.safeware.com

Wow, hldan! That link looks like it could very well cure my heartache. I'm worried about one thing, though -- won't they want to inspect my laptop prior to offering me insurance?

[wuzup101]

Well usually you buy the insurance on a new laptop... not one that's already messed up. In your case that would be insurance fraud IIRC. I would make your brother man up and pay for the dammmages to your baby.

I would have already killed my little brother and sold his organs on the black market to recover the price ... kidding of course.

[Maayan]

Nah, I much rather have my expenses covered by a faceless corporation and then continue paying them for a few years thereafter (a weak attempt at cleansing my conscience) than spaz out, slash the wheels on the family vehicle and force my brother to take up baby-sitting our little next-door neighbour on a full-time basis.

Seriously, though. Would anybody happen to know anything about the application procedure to this particular insurance company, much less insurance companies in general? I mean, would I have to ship them my laptop and have them check it over, or do they operate on an honor system? (And if so, how are they making a profit?!)

If anybody is antsy about replying lest they find themselves participating in illegal activities, I will gladly lend my brother my laptop again and again until I find myself having to make an honest claim.

NOTABLE EDIT #1: Oops! It looks like www.safeware.com doesn't cover "wear and tear". ("A tear?! You're calling this a TEAR?! You're looking at an injury that reaches down to my very soul, people!") Still, my grandmother's doorknob slamming into my laptop wasn't exactly 'gradual'.

NOTABLE EDIT #2: Score! I called the company this afternoon -- for a mere $69 CND, I'll be getting $2000's worth of coverage, INCLUDING bumps and scrapes. This makes me feel SO MUCH BETTER.