Of many products marketed to 'cool & elevate' laptops, spec.
PowerBoook G4, cyber3's 'TiBook Tote & Tilt' (carry Handle/swivel rear
elevation) expects Consumer (or someone) to replace four rear-panel
Apple factory screws (on hinge coverplates) with four cyber3-supplied screws. 
Consumer thus attaches Product (tote Handle) to laptop exterior,
expecting to safely carry laptop around while holding only Product
(Handle).

cyber3-supplied screws are longer than Apple screws and may not
properly mate with Apple factory holes.

As I put laptop into bag (gentle lateral force), cyber3-supplied
screws stripped and Product fell off (fortunately, laptop OK, as I was
holding it, not Product (Handle).   Now, cyber3 screws will not
rethread, Product unuseable.

Orig. Apple screws went back in tight, no thread problem, so, no
problem here.

cyber3 warns against overtightening but doesn't elaborate.  I expect
this is not due to potential stripping of a torx screwhead.   I expect
this is rather due to mismatched cyber3 screw and Apple hole. 
Stripping would occur first (due to mismatch), leaving cyber3
customer's laptop at risk of falling to ground any time.  I was
careful and did not overtighten.  Handle felt very tight and very safe
after this simple install.  I was shocked at how easily Handle fell
out (gentle lateral force).  Glad that only damage was stripping of
cyber3-supplied screws!

Q:  unless your answer doesn't recommend use of 'TiBook Tote & Tilt',
please specify screw needed, and where it may be acquired.  Screw
should be just long enough to attach 'Tote & Tilt' to laptop safely.

Thank you in advance for any help you may provide.

-m

Hi rockhaus,

As I have a Titanium PowerBook that never leaves my side (“The Beloved
PowerBook”), and as I am always looking for cool new stuff for it, I
was attracted to your question. I first went to the MotherShip, the
Apple discussion boards, to find out what the faithful were saying
about the Tote & Tilt. I did not find any mention of your problem, but
I did find some happy users.

“I also purchased one of those "Tote & Tilt" handles/stands from
DevDepot. It work's quite well at keeping the PB cool”
-H. Shekarchi
PowerBook Discussion Board
http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?13@68.H5sWalmrdcG.36851@.3bb7886c/3


“I added a Tote and Tilt handle and have never had problems with the
hinges.”
-Bill Deville
PowerBook Discussion Board
http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?13@68.H5sWalmrdcG.36857@.3bbb8644/11


Next, I checked Google Groups, and I found several discussions, but
again, no mention of your specific problem. I include the search
result here should you wish to look through the messages:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22Tote+%26+Tilt%22&btnG=Google+Search



Searching the Web, I found a very lively discussion regarding the
handle following a short article featuring the product on “O’Grady’s
Power Page”. Most of the users seemed to be enthusiastic about it, and
there were few problems reported. As regards the screws coming loose
specifically, I found this mention:

Re: TiBook Tote & Tilt Handle for Titanium G4
by: urapns2 (IP logged)
3/6/2002 - 1:57:19 PM
“I've been and have several users with this handle. They were
installed April last year and work fine. I would not worry about
galvanic corrosion since there is no juice passing through the
metals...my complaints would be that the installation screws should
come with some loctite pre installed and that the same be applied to
the screws holding the handle to the case(they will loosen if not
applied). As far as the hinge not being designed for the weight....the
weight is not borne by the hinge but by the mounting plate that is
screwed into the hinge attachments. You could make a case about
ripping the screws loose but if you're yanking that hard on the handle
you're using it as a self defense weapon, not a laptop.”

Source:
TiBook Tote & Tilt Handle for Titanium G4
Wed, 06 Mar 2002, 11:14
Jason D. O'Grady
http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:tk6GkEaoCxUC:www.powerpage.org/story.lasso%3FnewsID%3D9076+%22TiBook+Tote+%26+Tilt%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
(This is a cached Google page, hence the long url.)



I then contacted the company, Cyber3, directly and presented your
situation. Here is the reply that I received from Peter Lock, the
President.

“Beth,

“Without speaking with the client, I have very little to go on here
regarding the problem.

“We have delivered over 25,000 of these units and we have had a total
of 4 “problems” including the one you’re referring to.

“If he is having problems, I would invite the client to contact us so
as we can see what the problem is and reading what has been “posted”,
I not sure if this person understands why we suggest not over
tightening or how the PowerBook is manufactured.

“We’ve had the handle on our own PowerBooks for 2 years now without
any problems whatsoever.”

Peter Lock
Cyber3
5380 Sterling Center Drive
Westlake Village, CA 91361-4612
Ph: 818-706-8545
Fax: 818-706-8544
http://www.cyber3.com


I contacted Peter once again and asked if he would send you a
replacement set of screws. His reply was, “Most definitely.”

Although I have never dealt with this company before, I found them to
be very accommodating, and I think that such a speedy reply from the
President of the company indicates a real willingness to work with the
customers. Please get in touch with Peter for a new set of screws and
a consult, and mention that I contacted him. I am sure that you will
get your problem fixed in short order.

I was impressed with their customer service, and with what I have
found out about the product itself, and I am adding the TiBook Tote &
Tilt to my Christmas list for The Beloved PowerBook.

If you should have any questions on any of the above, rockhaus, please
do not hesitate to ask for a clarification. I would also love to know
how your contact with Peter goes, if you have a chance to report back.

Regards,

Beth   



Search criteria:
Apple Discussion Board
Google & Google Groups search:
“Tote & Tilt”
Cyber3

---

Clarification of Answer by bethc-ga on 03 Nov 2002 07:50 PST

Hi rockhaus,

I noticed in your comment below that you were awaiting the screws, so
I am glad to hear that you contacted Cyber3. I received a followup
email from Peter Lock that said that he had read your question here on
Google Answers. He tried looking in their database on "rockhaus" but
was unable to find any indication that you had contacted them yet. He
also said that as soon as they had a shipping address, the screws
would go out immediately.

He seems sincerely interested in working with you to make sure that
you get their product fitting properly on your PowerBook. I hope you
will let us know what happens.

Regards,

Beth

---

Clarification of Answer by bethc-ga on 10 Nov 2002 12:07 PST

Hi rockhaus,

Thanks for the nice rating and the bonus. I'm glad to have helped, but
I'll be even happier when you stop back and tell us that the new
screws have solved your problem.

Keeping my fingers crossed,

Beth

Extremely helpful, in many ways.  Saved me a LOT of time.  Regained
confidence in product and vendor.  Still unresolved at this writing,
but doesn't apply to rating. -m

Just a quick comment ...

I bought both a PodiumPad and a CoolPad for my TiBook G4.  Brilliant,
low-hassle design.  Highly recommend both.

See www.roadtools.com

I love the Podium pad so much I bought ten and gave one to everyone I
know that uses a Laptop.  A rubber pad needed glue once.  I still use
PodiumPad religeously.  Re:  Tote & Tilt, I still hope it'll be less
hassle to slip into the bag than, say, FIRST removing Podium Pad's
little Lego-style pads so it all fits (and no parts are lost).

Thanks, I'll take another look at Coolpad. 

Still awaiting new screws from cyber3, will let you know.

-rockhaus

I have both, but end up using the CoolPad much more often, both at
home and on the road.  It's easier to tote around, and does the job
really just as well for my purposes.  Again, very highly recommended;
for $20, it's hard to go wrong.

Received replacement screws from The Mac Shoppe in Westlake Village,
CA, which I think is also the 'We Love Macs' site where I bought the
Tote & Tilt.

After I install the new 60GB Travelstar drive, I'll be able to give
the Tote & Tilt another chance.  Will let you know.

Re: PodiumPad, I've found that resting TiBook as far back on the Pads
as possible increases  angle and airflow under the front.  CD's are
easier to pop & flop also as they no longer contact the table.

-m