Hardening or Toughining up A31p for extreme conditions

[jack NYC]

I am planning a job in a rather tough rough environment (Iraq) and wanted to do what I could to better secure my Thinkpad against dust, weather, etc. Don't have the budget to get a toughbook or similar. Any ideas for this sort of thing. Anyone done this? Will saran wrap do the trick LOL?
Thanks for any input

Jack

[ambientscape]

I think you might want to consider getting a keyboard protector. It's a slice of thin plastic that fit on the keyboard to prevent split and dust.

[a31pguy]

hmmmm. Thinking on this. can't think of any products per say. But you'd want to filter the fan intake and exhaust. You'd want to find rubber plugs or covers for the 100baseT, USB, Paralell, Serial, VGA, and IEEE1394 ports on the back (and side) and for the dock connector on the bottom. rubber plugs for the PCMCIA ports and definitely want a keyboard protector for spills and rain. It' might be a good idea to seal the memory and minipci covers with a water proof sealant too. You might check out marine navigation computers for sources on weatherproof plugs.

By the time you get done you could just buy a harsh environment case. I used a Pelican Case model 1490 for my laptop when it was around dust and moisture.


http://www.underwatertactics.com/pelican_1490.html

[jack NYC]

The pelican is a great idea. I can't believe I forgot that was what I had in 03 during the invasion. It was housing a powerbook at the time. Its a great transport case, it just doesn't allow one to work out of it though. It was literally a life saver when we had to cross the Tigers river in truck innertubes to sneak into Iraq from Syria. We had everything in Pelican cases and they could float and kept everything dry.

[a31pguy]

Tigris River? Sneaking from Syria to Iraq? Let me guess - you work for the news media?


Check these out:

http://www.protectcovers.com/laptop.htm

[jack NYC]

That is just the kind of think i was looking for. Cheap too!!!
Yeah that was a gig for CNN. Crazy experience, but it worked.
We were in the north so the dust etc wasnt really too much a concern. This time probably in Baghdad though on freelance gig... Much different budget!

You always have the answers A31p guy!!!
Thanks
Jack