I would just like to find out peoples' thoughts on the durability of the Powerbook G4 aluminum in cold temperatures. To be specific, I just got one and I carry it everyday in a backback in what amounts to approx 8km of walking through whatever weather and will continue to do so. My question specifically is, can and will the unit stand up to this on the coldest days of winter? (Total daily outdoor time in the winter will be approx 1 hour and this will be everyday).
You'll be fine. If it's lugged in -30 (or colder) weather in just a backpack for an hour or longer, the unit may have to be plugged in order to power up because the battery has a chance of not being capable of it unless you let it thaw out.
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It's not the cold that's the issue, it's the condensation that will accumulate on the unit when you take it out of your bag in a warm interior space. Because PBs are not airtight, condensation will accumulate on everything - inside and out - just like a cold beer. I've yet to hear of any specific issues associated with this, but the potential is there. I run into this problem with expensive cameras all the time [the condensation that can build-up on a cold camera is disturbing!]. The only way to combat it [if your PB has had enough exposure to the cold to actually be cold - e.g. you've walked to work in -30 deg C] is to toss the PB in a big 'ol zip-loc, and when you get to your destination, take out the PB [within the ziploc] and allow the unit to come up to room temp - shouldn't take too long 5-10 min. The warm air will condense on the bag instead. This is usually what photographers do with their gear - and high-end cameras are much much tougher than powerbooks and very well sealed. You could even just leave the PB in it's protective sleeve inside your bag ... you just don't want to expose the PB itself to warm interior air until it's close to room temp. This is not as much of a concern if your PowerBook is still warm from use or your exposure to cold isn't significant [from house to car to office].
NONONO whold up a sec. i have a powerbook and the aluminum dents like a bitch. i have it in a case and 2 corners and one usb port are pushed in. i carry it around a lot and it doesn't affect the computer but it's a little embarrasing. just think about that before going out and buying a powerbook.
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Posting From the First Aluminum Powerbook.
NONONO whold up a sec. i have a powerbook and the aluminum dents like a bitch. i have it in a case and 2 corners and one usb port are pushed in. i carry it around a lot and it doesn't affect the computer but it's a little embarrasing. just think about that before going out and buying a powerbook.
...dents like a bitch you say? I have yet to permanently dent my 'bitch'.
I have owned 3 al powerbooks, and if you keep them in a padded (or jelled) protective sleeve (ie Marware.com) then you should not have serious dents on them. Just don't slam down your bag. Infact my fiance is now using the original 867 12" Pb i preordered when they firs were announced and it has NO big marks on it.
But condensation is a key factor. Just keep it in the sleeve or a ziploc bag in the sleeve for serious moisture protection!! You can make it your road warrior machine. I did just such with a PB i had, which went to europe, asia, NY when i lived there, across the US and back home. And it still screams (just gave it to my cousin for his first year of university) All i did was keep it in a sleeve (old style marware) and adn big plastic file folder thign over that for moisture protection and it is perfect. 1 Little tiny dent, and 2 scratches...over 4 years and a million hours.
If you are merely looking for a rough and tumble machine..get the iBook 14inch (lower cost + plastic body) but other wise the PB 15" and 12" are great travelling machines and fairly sturdy as long as you take care of them.
I am taking my current Aluminum PB with me to Africa next year and i have no worries (i will of course tape all the plug-ins for sand)
The only thing about extreme temperatures is that very cold climates can shorten the battery cycle life. So be aware that it may shorten the usable period for your battery. (at least that is my experience)
BUt in the end you shoudl use and enjoy your portables and not let your posessions own you. I take mine anywhere.
I've carted this 15" in a laptop bag everyday cold and hot for 19 months now and I have just one 1 inch tiny scratch line on the edge of the top.
Just get applecare...
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NONONO whold up a sec. i have a powerbook and the aluminum dents like a bitch. i have it in a case and 2 corners and one usb port are pushed in. i carry it around a lot and it doesn't affect the computer but it's a little embarrasing. just think about that before going out and buying a powerbook.
I had a 12" AL for a year. Carried it around quite a lot in that time. The machine had NO scratches, and NO dents after the year was up.
I found it to be quite rugged. I also notice somepeople are harder on their machines than others. When i spend $2500 on a laptop, it gets treated like gold.
It literally looked new when i sold it, and got decent cash for it because of that.
Just take care of your gear, and it should be fine. I knew a guy who keeps his 12" Pb G4 in the trunck of his car all the time in the winter and used it right away. THe screen would react slllooooowwww and there would be considerable condensation but it never died on him?
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have two computers (a mini at home and powerbook at work?) and use an ipod or USB drive to ferry your files to and from work.
this plan has several advantages over what you're doing right now.
1) your powerbook will live a longer life
2) your powerbook won't get dented like a bitch
3) you don't have to carry a powerbook for 8km every day.
4) you get to listen to music while you walk.
If it's lugged in -30 (or colder) weather in just a backpack for an hour or longer, the unit may have to be plugged in order to power up because the battery has a chance of not being capable of it unless you let it thaw out.
Just enjoy the damn thing..
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