I have dropped my current one a few times, but never while it was running. Just a couple of cracks in the plastic housing is all the damage I have done.

I have a ZeroShock for my Dell 600m. http://shinza.com/product_info.php?products_id=46

It cost more than what I wanted to pay for the sleeve, but it does a good job of padding the laptop. If you are in a dry and cold environment (think snow), the sleeve doesn't do too well (it's quite stiff). I went from California to Singapore, and the sleeve became much more flexible.

This is why I recommend getting an IBM laptop (I guess now Lenovo):
I have done so much damage to my computer and IBM has helped me. They're also REALLY good about repairs... HP and Toshiba make you mail in your laptop to get it fixed and it could take days for the turnaround time. IBM sends someone to your office next biz-day and fixes whatever the issue is -- even if it means opening up the computer and replacing a part.

Nope, I think this is standard. I believe the issue is TSA can't define what constitutes a sleeve and what constitutes a case. TSA doesn't want to get into making that distinction, so all laptops must come out of all cases/sleeves/bags of all kinds.

Yes, I have two different styles from Eagle Creek. Ebags.com carries a large variety of sleeves.

I drop my T40 as if it's going out of style. It's never had an issue with my abuse but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Dells, however, are a different story. :)

All the time. I have an IBM Thinkpad R40, and have had it for over two years now. It's been dropped in it's case, without it's case, fallen off things, etc. About 2 months ago one of the little areas on the main chassis that a plastic protusion from the screen slots into when it's closed broke. Doesn't actually affect anything though.

The R40 has also survived being used in wet weather (rain), on boats, at the top of the AKL Sky Tower on a regular basis, dropped numerous times from my hands in computer rooms onto the floor tiles. I dropped it recently and it hung by the network cable.

It's definitely a trooper!

A previous Toshiba Satellite died a nasty death when I opened it in a hurry and the screen came off in my hands. :eek:

I now have a company issue Dell D610 which will be interesting. The previous D600s have been prone to breaking around the chassis, and the paint coming off, within a year. Atleast with the 610 they fixed the fan duct so that it has a filter now to avoid the heatsink getting coated in dust.

I once knocked my Dell D800 off the tray table on the plane while in an exit row (so lots of space). I watched as the laptop bounched another half foot of the ground and fell back again. It shut the laptop off, but when I turned it back on, no problems!

Is there an accidental damage/drop/spill protection either from Apple or via third party for PowerBook/MacBooks?

I have dropped my Thinkpads too many times to count and besides the cosmetic dings and dents, they have all survived.

To echo other posters, IBM's service is excellent, twice they have come to my office next day and replaced parts that other companies require to be sent to a service center for repair.

Dan

Yes, IBM's service/support is great. Their helpdesk is extremely on to it; and their on site service is great. Our customer runs a large IBM fleet (3500+ Thinkpads; several hundred IBM X-series servers).

Their helpdesk tends to recognise when you know what you're talking about. e.g. I had a dodgy CDRW in my R40, and after a 10 minute chat with them they just sent me a new one, without continuing through pointless debugging.

Their 24x7x2 warranties on the servers we've had have been exactly that, as well. Serviceperson on site in under 2 hours.

Dropped a T40 - once..
Was in a backpack - forgot to close the side zipper.. :rolleyes:..
Surprising thing is that it was fine while walking..when I stopped - waiting for a train - for a split second, the backpack suddenly lightened...And the next thing I hear is a crash. Think it landed flat (not on its side or anything). Consternation....
Opened it up - looked OK - screen was OK (not cracked)..
Pushed the power - came on OK - booted up fine. Logged in, etc....
And then.....FROZE!!!
Hard shut down and then tried again....no go - kept giving a system/disk not found error...
Had to get the hard drive replaced - lost some data...
But had put some more important things on the LAN..... ^
Lesson - BACK-UP......!!!

A few years back - was trying to balance my food and a Dell laptop at the O'Hare H&K food court. Laptop did a back flip off the table onto the floor. O'Hare flooring = very bad for laptop. Cracked the screen and I never saw that machine again (luckily it was a work machine, and a couple years old).

[QUOTE=cordelli]Our sales guys use to drop their Dell's on a very regular basis, it was one of the resaons we use to have Dells, they can stand up to it very well. The case would get a crack or two around the thin areas, but in most cases it was all cosmetic.

The one weak point, if it was closed at the time it usually sheared the case closing latch off, easiest way to tell if they have tested gravity with it, if the case latch was busted.
QUOTE]

Exactly what happened to me when I dropped my IBM T40 last year at OAK. Did'nt zip the side pocket on my breifcase after going thru security and it fell out. Doh!!

In a panic I powered it up and it worked fine. WooHoo!

I'm in sales too, so maybe it's part of the job.

Oh yeah! The Averatec I'm working on right now has a bashed in corner and missing floppy drive door from a drop on the floor at LAX. Had it in my lap and reached for something. It slid right off and landed on a corner. It fired right up and is still working perfectly, although it looks ugly. Scared the @#$%& out of me, though.

JR