That's what you get for installing Windows!

In the tradition of "The Crash" feature on Japan's Impress Watch site, we present this very sad case: a PowerBook that has seen much better days. However, as shown here, it still runs when hooked up to an external keyboard and monitor. So, don't feel sorry for this Mac's owner. Just think of him as the ultimate case modder, who managed to turn an old laptop into a desktop using nothing but a Hummer H2.

[Via TUAW]

[Joe Smith @ Apr 7th 2006 2:18PM]

That shows you just how good any computer is built these days.

[andy @ Apr 7th 2006 2:33PM]

i think it shows how good a powerbook was built actually, how can you judge any other computers build quality from that? Duh

[DJ @ Apr 7th 2006 2:35PM]

Did that thing get run over by a truck? Maybe a few parade floats?

Or did he get so frustrated with his mac he destroyed it?

[i have an ibook just like that @ Apr 7th 2006 2:36PM]

i slammed it down on my desk as hard as i could, but it still runs with external monitor. not bad.

[Rivendale286 @ Apr 7th 2006 2:39PM]

I had a Packard Bell years ago that I was carrying and dropped it off a balcony like 20 feet up (shouldn't have sat it on the edge I guess). The case was bent, but it still ran perfectly for years...

[ugh138 @ Apr 7th 2006 2:40PM]

Driven over by a Hummer is covered under section 8 paragraph C of your Warranty. I just checked.

[Kim Voynar @ Apr 7th 2006 2:51PM]

We did the same thing when my husband accidentally dropped our laptop. The screen was toast, and it was beat to hell, but it worked okay as a desktop machine.

[Dennis @ Apr 7th 2006 2:52PM]

That looks like a piece of art. Maybe he can sell it as an exhibit piece for a new MacBook Pro.

[MattBlalock @ Apr 7th 2006 3:02PM]

My powerbook just sits on my desk and it doesnt work as good as that one, the screen's never right and it usually takes 3 or 4 tries to boot it. Thats just complete luck!

[doyouflip @ Apr 7th 2006 3:03PM]

I love how the google ads for this post are for Hummers...just in case you want to try this for yourself :o)

[Hunter @ Apr 7th 2006 3:03PM]

I accidentally ran over my old Compaq laptop with my Jeep. Fortunately is was in its metal frame laptop case and came out of the ordeal relatively unharmed, except for a tiny scar on the screen that looks like someone jammed their thumbnail against it.

My trackball, which was in the case as well, however, did not fare so well.

[x23 @ Apr 7th 2006 3:13PM]

can people stop posting links in their comments if they have NOTHING to do with the post? its hideously annoying. and rude.

is the link provided for you in your name not good enough for you? are you just TOO SPECIAL? aww cute.

this was a problem in the past that was eventually solved using frequent neverending public scorn.

guess that will have to happen again.

[jared @ Apr 7th 2006 3:19PM]

After seeing the results of some H2 collisions, I have to wonder whether the MacBook really came out on the losing end. The H2 probably needs $3k worth of body work...

[KB @ Apr 7th 2006 3:25PM]

Unless he photochopped a bunch of pics, this is authentic: http://www.mac-sys.co.uk/features/bustPB/

[Gouki @ Apr 7th 2006 3:48PM]

That has to be the most stupid title I have ever seen.

Everytime I wake up, I know it is just a manner of minutes until I see the first 1337 comment/post/etc.

Will this ever end?

[Dan @ Apr 7th 2006 4:02PM]

And here I thought this post was going to be a Blue Screen of Death on an Intel Mac...

[Botboy @ Apr 7th 2006 5:04PM]

You guys never miss an opportunity to mindlessly bash Windows, Microsoft, or Bill Gates, do ya?

[heyhow @ Apr 7th 2006 5:13PM]

jea i need more DESTRUCTION !

[Brian @ Apr 7th 2006 6:28PM]

What exactly does this have to do with Windows?

And to everyone who says "it's photoshopped because it's smudged" - real photos (such as from cheap digital cameras as are found in cell phones) have smudges... RTFA and there are a dozen more that make it very obvious it wasn't PS'd.

[Robert Macabre @ Apr 7th 2006 6:31PM]

not photoshopped. check out the exif data.

[cycomachead @ Apr 7th 2006 7:34PM]

I have to aggree about the title - its a powerbook and so it cant run windows- well maybe it was an attempt to instal windowds

[VEGA @ Apr 7th 2006 7:39PM]

This has got to be fake. For it to twist that much would surely have cracked the motherboard. The hard drive might be ok, but the motherboard...I doubt it. I doubt it could flex that much. Anyone know how to fix a sticking clasp on the lid? Mine seems to not want to come down when I close the lid anymore and it makes the screen wobbly for transport. Also screws up sleep mode.

[cycomachead @ Apr 7th 2006 7:43PM]

I heard people talking about just that w/ a guy at the apple store and they had to have to right/left clutch replaced

[RZ @ Apr 7th 2006 10:38PM]

Supposedly, only one Engadget staff member uses Apple, yet, as has been said, they never miss an opportunity to slam XP or Vista or Bill Gates himself. They always seem to have at least one negative or sarcastic comment for every PC reviewed too.
In a Boot Camp thread, they allude to "we've got some partitioning to do"...who is partitioning, the one staff member with the Apple computer?
Something seems fishy about this blog. Certainly it doesn't seem even handed at all, I'm truly beginning to wonder if Apple money is involved somewhere in the operation.

[OddManOut @ Apr 8th 2006 12:30AM]

"So, don't feel sorry for this Mac's owner"

Sorry, can't help myself. This Mac owner is aparently an H2 owner/operator as well. So yes, I do feel sorry for him/her...

[Revrant @ Apr 8th 2006 12:46AM]

I doubt it RZ, they're just somewhat elitist, when they went on their Anti-ATI kick they refused to post positive ATI news, despite the fact that there was a small - and sudden - bevy of it, they do that from time to time.

The Apple bias has been gushing forth for a very long time now, the funniest thing is the "Keep it real fake" series, namely it's iPod ripoff features, in which the ripoffs are better than the original, and cheaper, and with a wider array of formats, and better battery life...Then of course the bashing of Apple's competition. Don't mind 'em though, Apple finally got to a place of dominance, and it's doing what everyone else is, sitting on it's rear, sucking up the dough, that's gratification that none of these guys can spoil.

I'll give an "Lol" to the headline though, installing XP on a fresh PC for the first time was nearly Fatal for me, can't imagine what it'd do to poor ol'whitey. ;) Oh wait, I can, snapshots!

[KFr4nk @ Apr 8th 2006 12:50AM]

Whoever says this is photoshopped is an idiot. The smudging you refer to is called pixel blur. This digital camera has probably around 3 megapixels. Decent but not enough to make clean lines an something that is wazy and smashed like the case of the pbook. Plus cameras focus on center of pic so everything not at same leve is slightly blurred. Since pbook is set at angle this occurs. Learn something about photography before you expose your self as a noob to the world.

[Peter Payne @ Apr 8th 2006 1:56AM]

A loooong time ago I took my Newton MP 2000 on a roller coasater (note to self: bad idea), and predictably it fell out of my (velcroed shut) pocket, and got all smashed. The data in the flash card was still readable though.

[Somebody @ Apr 8th 2006 2:34AM]

The ads that i see are Dell, Hummer, and one for a case mod

[RZ @ Apr 8th 2006 8:02AM]

The lead line "That's what you get for installing Windows!" is a complete falsehood. Sarcasm or not, I hope someone's (and we know who the someone is) legal department begins taking notice.
It would be interesting if some intrepid investigative reporter from some major newspaper or TV network "follows the money trail" in the operation of these commercial blogs.

[loyukfai @ Apr 8th 2006 12:08PM]

OMG! Do you see that?! He committed a serious crime according to the Apple law - He connected the all-elegant Apple machine to disgusting and horrible non-Apple monitor!!!!!!!

You see!!??!! He even used an analog connection!?!??!?!? I say, call Steve NOW!!!!

: )

[Tommy Mang @ Apr 8th 2006 2:08PM]

Yeah, but the question is how long will it still run in that state ;-)

[iomatic @ Apr 8th 2006 6:20PM]

OMG.

It's a headline, ya babies; don't get your panties in a bunch. As for objective editorialism, um, MSNBC, anyone?


Sigh.

[tom @ Apr 8th 2006 6:22PM]

Um you change change EXIF data. Photoshop isn't the only program in the world that writes EXIF data. Some programs let you change it/not write it.

[Nicolas Letarte @ Apr 9th 2006 8:32AM]

Yes, you're right, the way the liquid crystal screen looks now is very cool. The details on close-up as http://www.mac-sys.co.uk/features/bustPB/DSC00961.JPG are gorgeous, near psychedelics.

I don't know how many PoweBooks I'll need to succeed as well as that ??!

[Julian @ Apr 9th 2006 9:19AM]

probably not a fake remember the iBook back in 01 which was brought in for warrenty to Apple Genius. He showed pictures of this woman's laptop which had been (for reasons STILL unknown) backed in an oven at 400 deg F and was completely trashed by all appearance but external keyboard, mouse and monitor showed it still booted and ran.

[Hank @ Apr 10th 2006 5:08AM]

If you think the powerbook looks bad, you should see the Hummer! http://sessionghost.com/RockOn/Dude/hdhoag/HummerH2_images/Wrecked-Hummer-H2.jpg

[Jeremy @ Apr 10th 2006 12:55PM]

And for sweet desktop picture action:

http://static.flickr.com/53/126443114_311002561a_o.jpg (1680x1050)
http://static.flickr.com/54/126443113_5cfa3a09ff_o.jpg (1280x1024)

[Eric @ Apr 10th 2006 9:59PM]

If that person wants to sell it, I would be willing to buy it! :D