I like that way of putting it.
Being an Engineer, computers are "tools" for me. Appearance isn't as important as performance (that isn't to say design isn't important).
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Getting the war zone look
- Thread starter Swiss Apple
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Being an Engineer, computers are "tools" for me. Appearance isn't as important as performance (that isn't to say design isn't important).
If I put them in a glass case with an eskimo jacket, they cannot be used. My machines are 100% functional. I take 5 seconds to stick it in a sleeve after using it to protect it in my backpack. I use keyboard/trackpad covers because I HATE dirty keyboards and trackpads with finger oils on them. Thus, the covers make my trackpad and keyboard not gross after a couple years of use. Also, it doesn't hinder my ability to get work done AT ALL. Knowing I have this kind of protecting makes me focus more on using the laptop and less on protecting it.
Its like The Simpsons episode where Homer realized he didn't have health insurance for a few hours because he was late making his payment. He was extra careful not to do anything that might hurt himself. Same goes for the laptop, with the padding I have I don't worry about notebooks, etc in my backpack damaging my computer. I don't worry about dirt and what not on my fingers transferring to my keys or trackpad. I don't worry about my watch scratching the palm area. Why? Those areas are protected, they have "insurance" on them, so I can freely use my laptop without worrying about issues because I know its protected from damages.
And to those gloating about how they don't care about appearance, good for you. Some of us want our hard earned products to keep looking nice, and spending a few seconds to protect something is hardly being inefficient. Its called being careful.
I have a couple noticeble scatches and dings on my umbp. I have no idea where they came from, but as long as they dont affect the proformance, and don't void my applecare, then I'm just fine with it. Makes mine easier to pick out when I'm hanging with friends
I'm in the OTHER camp; iKlear is my Mac's best friend. There's nothing more sickening than to be working next to someone who's computer looks like its been scrubbed with a HERSHEY's chocolate bar.....
if you don't take care of your tools they will rust, and break. which is why most of them have lifetime warranties. like craftsman for example. bring it and they replace it. a tool covered in oil can't be used until it's clean.
if they value it as a tool, and saved up for a top of the line computer - it has nothing to do with ego it has to do with not being careless
i just don't understand how i can be called egotistical because i want something i worked hard for to stay in good shape? sorry i don't want to mess up my stuff as much as you do!
I have a laptop sleeve that i carry mine around in. Dents and scratches don't really bother me, but I wouldn't throw caution totally into the wind like you seem to be advocating.
Thank you. Some people here have a HUGE misunderstanding of what it means to take care of the things you buy. They think we baby the system, don't let others touch it, etc. That is NOT the case, however we DO treat our expensive possessions with care to ensure they last as long as possible, and that in no way hinders or slows my work.
It's a LAPTOP....a PORTABLE computer. In normal daily use it's going to get dinged up even in the most careful of hands. A competent carpenter or mechanic will provide the very best care for their tools that they can, but as long as they function properly, they are simply NOT going to obsess about every little scratch or dent. Contrast that with the recurring posts I see here where Mac laptop owners post about their latest little ding, hoping that someone here will validate their opinion that Apple should replace that computer with a fresh new one under Applecare.
I did not say that everyone who own an expensive item is overweight. My point is what people choose to spend their time obessing over is often misplaced. Many people on this forum actually get depressed, angry or othewise very upset for prolonged periods because they get a scratch on their device. Is that healthy?
The point is that Apple chose to make the MBP out of aluminium not glass, and that was a masterstroke because they've created a durable, yet light machine that looks great. Why then are people snapping on ugly bits of plastic and making their machines (a) look cheap and (b) weigh more??? that to me is more insane than simply letting the metal shell do its job, absorbing scratches and protecting whats inside.
My intro was perhaps a little flippant, I would never intentionally harm the little fella
although i belong to the camp that doesn't care about scratches on a machine that i will keep and never resell i slap on a spec case for certain occaisions. e.g. traveling to europe by plane because with all the laptop in and out of the bag at airport security I'm afraid of breaking it.
also sometimes when we go traveling by car and i throw the laptob bag in the overpacked car and stuff maybe on top of it.
Okay, on this point I agree with you because I care a lot more than most people around me about my electronics. Every time I'm ready to sell my equipment my friends want to buy them because they know I keep everything in near pristine condition.
Now, keeping something in pristine condition doesn't mean that you shouldn't enjoy it to the fullest for the way it was designed. I've probably had Macs much longer than many people on this forum and I had the first 17" Powerbook. I had it for 4+ years before selling it and never got one scratch or dent on it.
All I used was the Brenthaven carrying bag to transport it and that's it. No wrist pads or clear coat covers wrapped around the whole case and not protecting it like it's one of my offspring.
I just bought the new 13" MBP and the first thing I did was lay my iSkin Protouch keyboard cover over it because, like you, my previous computer (Macbook Air) got very greasy keys that couldn't even be cleaned off with alcohol, and to protect it from coffee spills, but that's all I will use to protect this computer. I want to enjoy the nice looks of it, I mean, I did buy it so I can enjoy it too.
It's a LAPTOP....a PORTABLE computer. In normal daily use it's going to get dinged up even in the most careful of hands. A competent carpenter or mechanic will provide the very best care for their tools that they can, but as long as they function properly, they are simply NOT going to obsess about every little scratch or dent. Contrast that with the recurring posts I see here where Mac laptop owners post about their latest little ding, hoping that someone here will validate their opinion that Apple should replace that computer with a fresh new one under Applecare.
Who said obsess? Some people here do take it too far, but there is nothing wrong with trying to protect your stuff. Yeah if you get a little ding it isn't the end of the world. However when you spend $2000 on something, I would hope you take some care of it. How can I attend college full time and work 25+ hours a week during the school year with the same laptop used at work and for classes and yet have a pristine looking system? I don't waste any time babying it because I don't have a lot of spare time, I use it like it should be used. Its called taking care of your stuff....
And to those here that get a system back from Apple Care and it has a tiny scratch that needs a magnifying glass to see: get over it. Asking for a new system is sad.
So, the naked thing is all fine and good, but what case will you use for the MBP? I mean, assuming the 'no pockets' thing...
I only baby my electronics if they are very, very prone to damage and for the first month of two because I'm scared to death to ruin them. I don't keep my iPod touch in its case all the time. I only keep it in there when I'm going somewhere with it. Scratches only bother me if they mess up the functionality; like a scratch on a screen.
I don't see the point in covering up the pretty MacBook Pro with a (usually ugly) case. But I also am very careful because scratches and dents do bother me.
I agree with the OP in principle, but in practice I sell my computers too often (to upgrade) to be able to afford damaging them...
I actually think that MBP would be more scratch resistant if it were glass... glass is about 5 on the Moh Scale. Pure aluminum is much less. The ore that contains aluminum is Conun-something, and it's 9, right under diamond. Plus... it's a Mac. Take care of it, like you would a kid. Except for the food- Macs don't like food.
* slaps him*
What the hell are you talking about
*slaps poster back*
it is just as the guy wrote - he is the opposite of the people who go to great lengths to keep their MBP pristine. what was sooooo hard about understanding that part?
@OP: i do the same thing with my lappy. i don't coat it with accessories to keep scratches from happening and i don't excessively baby the thing like their were worth a gazillion bucks. it is laptop. a tool. if it gets scratched - whoopty fricken doo. the only thing my laptop has is a booq case to keep water (and whatever else) from getting into the thing when it is in transit..otherwise, the case itself has no Speck, schmeck or whatever else.
all that said, i don't abuse my computer either. it is a machine that can fail if you are dumb enough to neglect its proper upkeep. i maintain it so it works well and keeps trucking along to help me do my work. otherwise, i am not going to spend more than i need to to keep the thing protected when i go from one place to another.
I'm (hopefully) going to either find a cheap and good 12'' PB G4 or Hackintosh a Vostro 1320.
I'd put it into a backpack, but only to carry the extra stuff like power cord, ethernet cable, etc. If I didn't need that stuff, I'd probably just carry it around.
I think the same way about cars as well. They were built to be driven and look nice, not sit in a garage and look nice.
I'd put it into a backpack, but only to carry the extra stuff like power cord, ethernet cable, etc. If I didn't need that stuff, I'd probably just carry it around.
I think the same way about cars as well. They were built to be driven and look nice, not sit in a garage and look nice.
I guess the question is, which camp do you belong to? There are those that go to extraordinary lengths in protecting their MBPs e.g. invisibleshield > sleeve > padded messenger bag and then there are people like me
I wonder what you car looks like?
Got pics?
Haha, I actually think this guy has a good point. Buuuuuut I'm way to scared to hurt my baby. However, I love the idea of a "well used" macbook pro look.
However, I love the idea of a "well used" macbook pro look.
this all backfires when you try to get warranty work done. Then they blame you for being careless.
Are you like those people who drive their cars through the mud to make it look like they go off roading on the regular?
Do you leave your house a mess too? Are you the type that considers the "lived in" look to be cool? You know, dishes in the sink, clothes piling up, junk all over the floor?
Yikes. Well hey man as long as your earning a paycheck then I applaud you, although I think you are nuts for wanting to scuff your finely crafted piece of machinery.
For me, its iKlear for the Mac, Meguiars for the ride. I've found that girls like the clean look.
Do you leave your house a mess too? Are you the type that considers the "lived in" look to be cool? You know, dishes in the sink, clothes piling up, junk all over the floor?
Yikes. Well hey man as long as your earning a paycheck then I applaud you, although I think you are nuts for wanting to scuff your finely crafted piece of machinery.
For me, its iKlear for the Mac, Meguiars for the ride. I've found that girls like the clean look.