laptop computers can be a rather tricky buy at times, I would suggest that you look out for the cheapest and yet latest desktop on the market,

the best way to do this is on what they call warehouse sale markets some of them are online.

these warehouse owners have a service where they sell laptop computers to normal customers like you and me, however with very reduced prices due to the fact that they do not have as much costs as normal shops do, such as rent and a employees etc. as you know most online shops have rather competitive prices sometimes cutting the laptop price to a half.

one such website for laptop computers is :

http://umgarticles.atspace.com/laptop-computer.htm

by imediacorporation (See profile) - July 17, 2006 1:50 AM PDT

As a pilot, i can tell you this is probbably not related to pressure changes during operation of the computer. Commercial aircraft are pressurized to an altitude of approx. 8000 feet. As you are not allowed to have any electronics on prior to 10,000ft on departure, and are asked to turn them off well before decending below 10,000ft, you should not experience any difference in pressure during the course of the flight in which the computer would be in operation. I would find it hard to believe that 8000ft difference in pressure would render a laptop inoperable, as I have yet to hear of anyone in the rockies having issues w/ their computers. Either way, I would feel pretty confident that most laptops, especially the one mentioned in the post would be aircraft pressurization tested, as 99% of laptops used for business are used in aircraft.

by Ual232 (See profile) - March 26, 2006 7:17 AM PST

I would expect that your issue is not related to solid state components on the system, and most likely not related to cables or connections.

Your system is running POST, so I think that your diagnosis is accurate concerning the HD. I am not a HD expert, but looking at the environmental specs for common 2.5" drives, it looks like they are only spec'd for up to 10K' in altitude, very close to the pressurization you might find on an airplane when it reaches its max altitude.

Having been involved in spec-manship on PC components before, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a loose spec, and not the kind of spec that is tested for each component, so having samples that are a sigma out or so in the operating characteristics might not be considered a big deal. Also, the value and "quality" of the spec might vary from mfg. to mfg. leading to what appears odd behavior from device to device.

A call to your HD mfg. might help clear up if their HDDs operate like this. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if HD mfgs have products with improved specs for the jet setters, and if not, they develop them soon given all of the devices people use on aircraft now.

by njoyner (See profile) - March 20, 2006 3:16 PM PST

I sugest you read up on "Air Bearing"

"An air bearing is a bearing that literally consists of a layer of atmospheric air used as the working fluid for a fluid bearing. Air bearings are often used where the gap between moving surfaces must be small and where differential velocity is high enough to allow the viscosity of air to build up enough pressure to keep the moving surfaces separated.

Examples of the use of an air bearing is the "flying head" in a computer's hard disk drive. Systems requiring highly precise motion typically incorporate air bearing technology in order to achieve accurate and repeatable motion with low friction and no wear. Common applications include machine tools, multi axis metrology systems, and spindles for the semiconductor and data storage industries."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_bearings

by sidewinder (See profile) - March 20, 2006 2:36 PM PST

The lower atmospheric pressure is a better reason in my opinion. However, there could be other factors taken into account when one flys at such great heights.

by PencilPadded (See profile) - March 20, 2006 8:03 AM PST

by nectufine (See profile) - March 20, 2006 4:26 AM PST

Very interesting to know about the electromagnetic phenomenon. My ipod Nano screen freezed on a flight from DC to SF! Surprisly, I used the same ipod for a longer flight last Dec (~15 hrs) and it didn't happen!
I still don't get it!

by harith (See profile) - March 17, 2006 8:04 AM PST