Topic: best way the protect your laptop....

[MarkDavidson218]

Hey,
So I want to start taping with my laptop but I don't want it to get drinks spilled on it etc. Is there anything out there that will protect the computer? It's a 12inch g4. Any help would be great!

-Mark

[thoman8r]

I know a guy who built a plexiglass cage with a movable door after his powerbook got ruined by a beer.  Other than that, mostly I've just noticed people keeping a really close eye on their machine.

[Craig T]

leave it at home.

[Tall Adam]

first and foremost...keep it closed as much as possible. next, bring a small towel in your bag, throw this over the top to keep it safe(r) from spills. be careful about heat with a towel though...it can become an issue under the cloth. when open, throw the towl over the keyboard (the most vulnerable spot when open). there are a few other options including bags or plastic to cover the keys and such but a towel is easy. oh yeah and if you forget one (like i ALWAYS do) sweatshirts work fine .

protection from non-water hazards...id say the only real options are like a pelican case or something equivalent...i just keep a good eye on mine so no one fucks it up by knocking it over or anything.

[bagtagsell]

i still haven't found a solution.  Heat is a major player.  maybe you could build a clear case and put fans in it.

[jpschust]

keep it in your bag

[Tall Adam]

ehh i dunno in the bag. it makes me nervous. moving your laptop into and out of a big while the hard drive is spinning really isnt great for the drive....

[rustoleum]

I'll second the "keep it in your bag" vote.

I have a C1VN because it is small enough to leave in a bag while running.

[creekfreak]

I only run my lappie in places I know no one can get at it...very few, but I have a few in Rochester I can do it at

[Simp-Dawg]

pelican case 1490 was great for my laptop

[Chanher]

If you're talking about protecting it in the field then I think in the end you're going to have to grit your teeth and take your chances; carrying a bulky plexiglass cover just isn't realistic and one must seriously take the heat factor into consideration. Unless you've spent $2000 on a brand new unit then I totally believe it will be worth it to make these high resolution recordings even if it means I lose a unit or two to an accident (I only spent $300-400 on my laptops). One day I will be old and broken, I'll have a kick-ass high end playback and I'll be able to enjoy some ahead-of-their-time high resolution recordings.

If you're talking about protecting it during transportation, then simpy's right, a pelican will do the job. How do I know? Cause simpy sold me his complete with appropriate stickers.

[kindms]

I carry mine in a peilcan and it is built like a tank. But as many have mentioned here the pelican case isn't very easy on the back etc and can be a pain. Having said that While at Roo last year when it started pouring and i put my lappy in the pelican i had no worries what so ever (not running of course). when I opened the case later and it made that vacuum sound I was pleased that I had spent to cash on it.

I will say this I was looking at  those "SPACE BAGS" they sell on TV and they look like a real great way to keep gear dry and clean. They have a valve on top used to vacuum seal them on the Commerical and they are made of tough Nylon etc and are see through. So you could run your laptop in the bag and still be able to monitor it w/o opening the bag completely. Also you could use the vent to vent air etc if Heat became an issue. I think I might be grabbing some.

[airbladder]

Clear plastic bag.  Just like in the rain at a festi.  Looks bad but you can't stop a beer from falling on your stuff.  I keep some plastic bags tucked away with all my gear.  After getting stuck in the rain one time I didn't want to deal with that again.  They also help in a bad neighborhood.  Who is going to get jumped for a bag of garbage?

[Nomad]

leave it at home.

  Beat me to it

[Chanher]

maybe ceran wrap over the keyboard? that would at least avert a major spill from the most sensitive parts of the laptop.