Transporting iBook

Discussion in 'Macintosh Computers' started by kajeff, Mar 25, 2004.

  1. kajeff macrumors newbie

    Mar 25, 2004
    Columbus, IN
    I was wondering if anyone new the answer to this question.

    I am carrying my iBook around a lot and i read that that you should not move your laptop while it is running. I have been shuting the machine down everytime and i was wondering if there was an easyer way to do this.

    I would appreciate it if anyone would respond.

  2. jamdr macrumors 6502a


    Jul 20, 2003
    Bay Area
    Just put it to sleep

    I've never shut down a laptop before carrying it around, and I've never had a problem. I've just been closing the lid, putting it to sleep, for years. You're like that diaper commerical--Live and learn, and then get Huggs.
  3. MacRAND macrumors 6502a


    May 24, 2003
    Phoenix AZ USA
    iBook transport

    WELCOME to MacRumors, kajeff

    Suggest you Edit your Profile to show where you are and
    what you do, it helps to understand who is asking what and where.

    I believe closing your iBook, putting it to sleep, for short periods
    of time is acceptable. Like between clases at school.

    During extended periods of inactivity, it's pretty smart to
    Shut Down your iBook, like while in transport or
    while you are not in secure possession of your book
    even in a locked room.

    If you are going to leave your book unattended for awhile,
    like while you go to lunch, SHUT it off so that a
    LOG IN is required when you return, otherwise,
    while you are gone who ever wakes your Mac up has access.
    There is a safeguard that requires entering a password
    when waking from sleep, but I've never used it.

    It is always dangerous to move a Hard Drive (in a laptop)
    if it is operating because Hard Drives do not like to be moved if active.
    Hard Drives have a couple of discs that spin at between 4,200 to 7,200 revolutions per minute (rpm) while your book is ON.
    Those disks resist motion (laws of physics) because of the
    gyroscope effecton a spinning disk.
    Add to this several heads on the ends of metal rods that rapidly
    "seek" information on the spinning disks - jarring movements cause
    head crashes (crashing a computer).

    Memory in Professional Digital Cameras are usually either high-speed
    CompactFlash cards (4GB @ 40x and soon 8GB @ 80x) with NO moving parts and Life-Time warranty, or
    IBM miniature drives which are so small they fit into a CompactFlash slot -
    and that is tiny. Because the miniature drive does have moving parts,
    jarring the camera while the drive is running can crash or kill the drive. Not good.

    Do "NOT move your laptop while it is running" - is correct.
    Do "NOT move an External Drive while it is running" - is also correct.

    Does your HD run while asleep, no, it is not supposed to.
    Does your HD run while SHUT DOWN, absolutely NOT.
    Does your HD drain the battery while asleep, yes - just a little.

    Use common sense. and you should be alright.
  4. Danrose1977 macrumors regular


    I've never had an issue moving my iBook whilst it is asleep. As the others say, sleepy iBooks should move about fine.
  5. blue&whiteman macrumors 65816


    Nov 30, 2003
    I opened the door on my blue and white once while it was running and it paused the system for a sec. I have done this other times and nothing happened. the pause thing only happened once. it is a good rule of thumb not to do anything to hardware while its running.
  6. kajeff thread starter macrumors newbie

    Mar 25, 2004
    Columbus, IN

    I thought that moving it while sleeping would not hurt the Hard drive, but i could not find the answer to my question any where else.

    Thanks again
  7. OutThere macrumors 603


    Dec 19, 2002
    I've taken my iBook on trans-atlantic flights while sleeping. All I can say is that you should wait until the pulsing light comes on after closing the lid, this means that all the drives are asleep, and that the computer is ready to be moved. When my computer sleeps the battery will drain to about 96-98%, and then pretty much stay there for a very long period of time. Leaving it asleep for two days will maybe take the battery down 1%. The battery seems to charge slower and drain faster from 94-100%.

    I would go nuts if I were to shut down my computer every time I went somewhere with it. The start up process uses a lot of battery power as well. Simply close the lid and you'll be fine. I've had my computer running for a week, in transit twice a day, with no problems.
  8. robbieduncan Moderator emeritus


    Jul 24, 2002
    Puting a laptop to sleep will spin down the hard drive and park the heads, just like shutting down. In addition the iBook hard drive is mounted on rubber "shock absorbers". This makes them extra durable for school use.
  9. blue&whiteman macrumors 65816


    Nov 30, 2003
    sleep will probably cause more issues than moving it. so many people have issues with sleep.
  10. OutThere macrumors 603


    Dec 19, 2002
    I've never had a problem with sleep...granted if I leave my USB networking plugged in when putting my computer to sleep it will freeze 1 out of 5 times...It has really shoddy drivers though, always has...
  11. iPC macrumors 6502


    Jul 22, 2003
    East Windsor, CT
    Sleep mode is fine for transport (the hard drive is not spinning). I have taken several cross country flights, with corresponding car travel, without any issues.

    However, do not get made and throw your iBook across the room while it is still open! (yes I did this, and had to buy a new hdd - a nice 60GB 7,200rpm Hitachi)
  12. michaelrjohnson macrumors 68020

    Aug 9, 2000
    OUCH! But, I have to ask, was the rest of the computer okay?!

Share This Page