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nuggetman · Mar 15, 2006, 11:03 AM

when i first got my powerbook i loved this case

now it's scratched, dinged, paint is peeling off below the arrow keys, and i just had to fight w/ my cdrom because the top piece of metal warped so the disc wasn't being let out

i think most other laptops use plastic cases for a reason

mintcake · Mar 15, 2006, 11:52 AM

Paint?? Which model PB are you using?

I love the aluminium case. That it deforms is a good thing if you ask me. When I dropped my 12" AlBook, the resulting dent probably absorbed some of the energy and saved the internals. And I just fixed it with a hammer.

PeterKG · Mar 15, 2006, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by nuggetman

when i first got my powerbook i loved this case

now it's scratched, dinged, paint is peeling off below the arrow keys, and i just had to fight w/ my cdrom because the top piece of metal warped so the disc wasn't being let out

i think most other laptops use plastic cases for a reason

It sounds like you need to take better care of your computer.

Timetheus · Mar 15, 2006, 12:00 PM

Their IS a reason they use plastic - it's cheap - just like a lot of the laptops made of it.

Of Course, I'm a proud, biased owner of an aluminum MBP.

explosivpotato · Mar 15, 2006, 01:31 PM

the aluminum in my 17" pb is perfect! sure, it transmits the heat more than plastic, but i can pick this sucker up by the lower left corner (one hand!) and it doesnt bend at all! My friend's 15 inch dell cant say that!

+aluminum is sexy, and doesnt scratch unless you shoot it with something.

b1NARY73 · Mar 15, 2006, 01:41 PM

As a owner of several laptops, my PB 17", my iBook, and a HP L2000 AMD turion ( Lance Armstrong Special Edition ). I must say I prefer the look and feel of the Apple notebooks, besides being a more functional machine, they are just a better built machine. Don't get me wrong, I paid 750.00 bucks for a brand new 14" WS, 100GB 5400RPM drive, 1 gig ram, DVD burner, etc etc, and this is by far the best bang for the buck lappy out there right now IMO ( for a PeeCee), but with that said..... at the end of the day it is still a Pee Cee, and yes it is made of Black Plastics, and it does feel cheap..... but I did not shell out 2000.00 for it eithier... You get what you pay for. Paint chipping and peeling....... do you have a TiBook? My ti 867 looked like it went through hell and back, and I am extremely careful with my notebooks. Sorry your having problems mang.

explosivpotato · Mar 15, 2006, 01:47 PM

yeah, apple definately improved on their case design from the tibook to the alubook. alubook isnt painted, and therefore the finish is relatively invincible.

mintcake · Mar 15, 2006, 01:49 PM

Yup, there's nothing you can do to an Albook that a bucket of hot water and a soapy sponge can't sort out!*

*disclaimer - do not wash your powerbook in a bucket of hot water with a soapy sponge

mduell · Mar 15, 2006, 01:54 PM

Aluminum is too soft for a laptop case... it would be great if they offered pro laptops in polycarbonate or lexan cases.

Maflynn · Mar 15, 2006, 02:20 PM

While I do agree that Aluminum is too soft, I love the look and because I'm somewhat careful, my PB has lasted me many years and no scratches, dings or dents. I'm glad they don't offer any sort of polycarbonate type of case. The aluminum looks cool.

hakstooy · Mar 15, 2006, 03:37 PM

I've had 4 AlBooks and a TiBook and I've never had an issue with scratches or dings. I don't think I'm overly anal, I just use a sleeve when I carry them in a bag and I try to be conscientious when using or manipulating them.

(I never understood the issue with tripping over cords, but maybe that's cause I always thought about where the cord was going to be when I was using it.)

Personally I've found that with simple care the AlBooks look better than any plastic computer I've ever owned, partially because I think the aluminum is more scratch resistant and partially because their attractiveness compels me to take care of them.

I think the most prevalent cause of complaints about the metal 'Books is when they are carried in backpacks or such without a sleeve or protection whatsoever.

b1NARY73 · Mar 15, 2006, 05:56 PM

Quoting " I think the most prevalent cause of complaints about the metal 'Books is when they are carried in backpacks or such without a sleeve or protection whatsoever. "

Why would you carry such a vaulable piece of equipment in a backpack unprotected..... I agree with you..... sheesh! =)

romeosc · Mar 15, 2006, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by b1NARY73

Quoting " I think the most prevalent cause of complaints about the metal 'Books is when they are carried in backpacks or such without a sleeve or protection whatsoever. "

Why would you carry such a vaulable piece of equipment in a backpack unprotected..... I agree with you..... sheesh! =)

You miss the point! Some consider the PB a work of art.... I consider it a tool of the trade!
I have superintendents who use the PB on hood of the pickup at jobsite. Sometimes accidents happen, that is why I have Safeware insurance on every PB. I would love to leave my Pb on a desk but we carrry to meetings, slide across board table to show graphs, and they keep on ticking.

It's like a new car, you hate to get that first scratch, but it is inevitable!

Scott Mackey · Mar 15, 2006, 10:56 PM

I have the same issue with my TiBook. The wonderful iDecay (paint flaking off) and a bent cd-rom slot. Nothing mechanical, it still runs like a champ ... just looks like it's been through Iraq for a couple of tours of duty.

Sijmen · Mar 16, 2006, 05:24 AM

Just a question, have you ever seen a pc laptop user use a sleeve? I've never seen such a laptop being carefully put away in skin tight protection.

Maflynn · Mar 16, 2006, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by Sijmen

Just a question, have you ever seen a pc laptop user use a sleeve? I've never seen such a laptop being carefully put away in skin tight protection.

Is that wrong. Tha laptop looks nice and most people want to keep it that way.

phoenix78 · Mar 16, 2006, 06:24 AM

aluminium was definitely an aesthetics choice rather than functional (apart from acting like a heat sink which was good ).

the user definitely needs to be alot more paranoid. like... if you had a choice of choosing a body to take over like... jessica simpson.... you would want to take care of it more than if you chose say paris hilton because it looks nicer and you want to preserve it more.

but yeah... we all know there are consequences for our actions or inactions and if we take care of our stuff we wont have issues and if not then problems will come. ya really do need to make that sacrafice of being more paranoid when you buy an apple. well.. that was my feeling when i just bought it.. it was like... "gosh so expensive and such a soft material... im gonna need to be super careful withg it... am i gonna be careful enough to not stuff it up?" so i know what i was getting into lol...

robM

Sijmen · Mar 16, 2006, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Maflynn

Is that wrong. Tha laptop looks nice and most people want to keep it that way.

Exactly, that's probably why PC laptops don't get the same kind of devoted protection.

Originally Posted by phoenix78

aluminium was definitely an aesthetics choice rather than functional (apart from acting like a heat sink which was good ).

the user definitely needs to be alot more paranoid. like... if you had a choice of choosing a body to take over like... jessica simpson.... you would want to take care of it more than if you chose say paris hilton because it looks nicer and you want to preserve it more.

but yeah... we all know there are consequences for our actions or inactions and if we take care of our stuff we wont have issues and if not then problems will come. ya really do need to make that sacrafice of being more paranoid when you buy an apple. well.. that was my feeling when i just bought it.. it was like... "gosh so expensive and such a soft material... im gonna need to be super careful withg it... am i gonna be careful enough to not stuff it up?" so i know what i was getting into lol...

robM

Totally agree on that.

Morn · Mar 18, 2006, 02:37 AM

The ibook is tougher than the powerbook. It's plastic is dent resistant, and because it's white scratches or marks don't show up so obviously.

JKT · Mar 18, 2006, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by phoenix78

aluminium was definitely an aesthetics choice rather than functional (apart from acting like a heat sink which was good ).

It was also a branding choice - what is Apple's other pro line made from? Yup, aluminium.

Pro = aluminium.

Consumer = white plastic.

I would also like to think that it had to do with forethought given to environmental issues and ease of recycling, but given the plastic nature of all the consumer lines, I highly doubt it.

Scott Mackey · Mar 18, 2006, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by JKT

I would also like to think that it had to do with forethought given to environmental issues and ease of recycling, but given the plastic nature of all the consumer lines, I highly doubt it.

That is an interesting point, though I doubt is the reason why Apple chose aluminum for casing material. If you think about it though, Macs are probably the most recycles computer on the market. Mac users are so faithful that they keep their older computers around longer than the average PC Joe, they'll strip apart a broken Mac for it's useable parts to try and keep their own Frankenstein alive, and when it finally does die they make fish tanks out of 'em.

I say that half jokingly, but it is true. Older Macs hold their value (read: usefulness) much longer than PC's. Unfortunately I don't think people know much about this program, but you can send your old Mac back to Apple for recycling.

explosivpotato · Mar 18, 2006, 12:19 PM

I dont see where all of you guys are getting off saying the aluminum on the alubook is soft... i wear a stainless steeel watch and scrape all around the palmrests, drop things on the keyboard/back of screen, none of this enough to cause operational damage, but enough to make scratches, im sure. but my pb looks good as new. if i just had a moist paper towel i could get all of the light marks off of it. certainly better than plastic, imo.

all2ofme · Mar 18, 2006, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by mintcake

Paint?? Which model PB are you using?

I have a 15" 1.5GHz Powerbook with paint coming off in the same place as the original poster (just under the arrow keys). It's starting to come off at other points along that strip, too. To be clear, I mean the slightly angled piece that's between the bottom row of keys and the flat expanse of the front (where the trackpad is).

Annoys me - it doesn't look perfect any more

jdogg99 · Mar 19, 2006, 11:46 AM

Just FYI, hardness and strength are two separate properties. Anodized aluminum like that of the Powerbooks is "harder" than stainless steel, which is why the watchband doesn't scratch it. However, Aluminum yields, or bends, quite easily, which is why these cases get dented so frequently. One issue I have noticed with this aluminum is that of corrosive pitting. I think it's due to some peoples' body chemistry, but I have seen palm rests with significant black pitting. The aluminum oxide from the anodization should keep out anything corrosive, but if you do happen to break that barrier, then the aluminum underneath is pretty susceptible. I have one tiny speck of this on my left palm rest.

goMac · Mar 19, 2006, 01:27 PM

I hate hate hate hate the Aluminum Powerbook case. The case is complete garbage. It reacts to the oils on my skin and pits. It dents very easily. And the paint is coming off on mine leaving these paintless streaks.

There is a reason other companies use plastic.

toed · Mar 19, 2006, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by goMac

I hate hate hate hate the Aluminum Powerbook case. The case is complete garbage. It reacts to the oils on my skin and pits. It dents very easily. And the paint is coming off on mine leaving these paintless streaks.

There is a reason other companies use plastic.

Can I ask why the oils/sweat from your pits is even remotely close to you PB?

jamil5454 · Mar 19, 2006, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by toed

Can I ask why the oils/sweat from your pits is even remotely close to you PB?

You don't carry your open PowerBook under your arm?

Timetheus · Mar 19, 2006, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by goMac

I hate hate hate hate the Aluminum Powerbook case. The case is complete garbage. It reacts to the oils on my skin and pits. It dents very easily. And the paint is coming off on mine leaving these paintless streaks.

There is a reason other companies use plastic.

While true - a damp paper towel every couple of days keeps this factor in check.

explosivpotato · Mar 20, 2006, 01:04 AM

theres no paint on the alubooks....

WOPR · Mar 20, 2006, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by explosivpotato

theres no paint on the alubooks....

This man speaks the truth.

zac4mac · Mar 20, 2006, 09:15 AM

Hey I agree with the OP - I had the same thoughts when I took a Lotus Elise out and played Dune Buggy with it. Cheap piece of crap got all tore up.

DA

all2ofme · Mar 21, 2006, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by explosivpotato

theres no paint on the alubooks....

No - the truth is that there's *almost* no paint on the Albooks. What there is is wearing off on mine

hakstooy · Mar 21, 2006, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by all2ofme

No - the truth is that there's *almost* no paint on the Albooks. What there is is wearing off on mine

Where is there paint?

As far as I know, its anodized. The other parts that could conceivably be painted are the plastic parts, which, uh, isn't aluminum.

P.S.

The only that does drive me crazy about the aluminum is that when you go through airport security and they pick for for screening, separating you from your belongings and you watch some oaf come and carelessly toss your bare PB into a plastic bin, then stack another bin on top of it. And casually toss it onto the conveyor belt so it skitters around on top of all the grime and grit in the bin.

This has happened to me twice, and both times my PB (now MBP) came away with some scratches.

all2ofme · Mar 21, 2006, 01:38 PM

Hakstooy - my post from further up:

Originally Posted by all2ofme

I have a 15" 1.5GHz Powerbook with paint coming off in the same place as the original poster (just under the arrow keys). It's starting to come off at other points along that strip, too. To be clear, I mean the slightly angled piece that's between the bottom row of keys and the flat expanse of the front (where the trackpad is).

Annoys me - it doesn't look perfect any more