[the macimum]

In May, for my birthday, my family got me a PowerBook G4 as a replacement for my ibook G3. I have been using the PBK since the end of August. I use it to take notes in class, but after about a month of transporting it in my backpack, (sanwitched between my books, but not tightly), the middle, where the magnitized hook that comes down to keep the display from opening up after you close the PBK, the top has begun to bend as if the hook is pulling too hard. You can see just by looking directly at the front part where, on the 15" and 17" PBKs the cd slot is, that it bends inward so that only a small portion of the rubber feet that prevent that keys from the keyboard from smoosing the screen are actaully touching the bottom part of the PBk. Becase of this, in fear of my poor baby getting damaged, I carry it around in my hands and out of my backpack.

Whew, if you would like for me to re-word that let me know.
Anyway, if you have any information on this such as: if this could cause serious damage to the PBk, Etc. Please let me know!

P.S. I do have the AppleCare protection plan.

[SpaceMonkey]

Aluminum is malleable, so it's fairly normal to have some shifts in how the screen interacts with the rest of the powerbook when closed. I've noticed my powerbook having a similar appearance to what you describe. I don't even travel with my 'book very often, so I think it's perfectly normal. Even so, you might want to invest in a laptop sleeve to give your powerbook some protection when it's in your backpack. Most of them are under $50.

[and_the_dog]

Not that I'm recommending it, but the 12" PB aluminums are mighty tough. TSA dropped mine from about 4 feet on to the floor and it only bent the frame slightly, but everything else worked fine. (Yes, I was irate and filed a complaint.) Wish they'd let us keep laptops IN a padded sleeve. grrr....

[ericssonboi]

How about pics? that would help it...
I don't travel with my PB anywhere without my sleeve..
After dropping about 3K on a PB and not spending 50-100 bucks on a sleeve is just not wise IMO

[the macimum]

Ok thanks, eveybody, I just wanted to make sure that the problem wasn't serious. And I just got this cool hard-shell mini sleeve, that will seem to protect it against anything.

[hcorf]

while on the topic of laptop sleeves, i have found (and maybe many others too) that a jiffy bag (maybe americans call it a mailing bag or something) works just the same and costs 99 pence or so.

[imacgeek]

Make sure your screen is tightly screwed in becaus when yo put the com. in your bag it might pull the screen that is not tightly attached

[olePigeon]

Even if you don't buy the additional Apple Protection Plan, your PowerBook comes with a 1 year warranty. If it was bought after October of 2004, then it's still covered. My bro's latch had problems as well. He just took it into the Apple Store and shipped it out. About 4 days later he picked it up with a brand new LCD (which includes the latch.) Works great now.

If you're going to stick it in your backpack, I would suggest a Tucano laptop sleeve. I think they're the best.

http://www.tucano.it/ENG/html_esterno/

[enomehjashik]

tucano #1. perfect fit. had a hard time finding one with the extra pouch.

while in korea at the apple store in COEX mall i saw this other sleeve made from japan and the material was really dense but it felt like neoprene. it would hold a shape/form then slowly go back to its original shape. but it didnt have the zipper guard.