Zero Halliburton vs. Matias Laptop Armor cases

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Undecided Observer wrote:
>
> I'd like to have a case in which I can stow the 17-inch PowerBook I am
> about to buy--in the overhead bin of airplanes, in the baggage rack of
> trains, in the trunk of my car--with absolute peace of mind.
>
> Any thoughts or experience with the Matias Laptop Armor (slim
> aluminum, 14- to 17-inch size) cases vs. the Zero Halliburton Z5 and
> DZ5 series? It seems possible, from the pictures, that the Matias case
> might actually provide more and better padding around the laptop.
> Besides being less expensive.
>
> Other things I am wondering: On Zero Halliburton cases, are the DZ5
> handles significantly more comfortable than the Z5 ones? Is the price
> difference between the two models justified in some other way?
> Finally, what's the cheapest reputable source you know of on the web
> or through mail order for either Matias or Zero Halliburton cases?
>
> I don't have access to a store where I can check these cases out for
> myself. Any thoughts will be welcome. Thanks.

I'm a big fan of Halliburton cases for my photography and lighting
gear. One drawback to Halliburton cases is that their distinctive
appearance is not unnoticed by thieves, who know that very expensive
cases often have expensive things in them. OTOH, Halliburton has a REAL
lifetime warrantee. If anything ever goes wrong, they'll make it
right. And they are very very VERY sturdy cases. I've carried around
20lbs of coins in my Z3 briefcase, and routinely use Halliburton
equipment cases to stand on.

Lisa

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

No question that Zero Halliburton are top quality and virtually
indestructible. Another problem though in addition to the issues
already noted: their shiny aluminum surfaces scratch pretty easily, in
fact IMMEDIATELY after you start using them, so get used to that. I own
several Zero suitcases and a laptop case and have gotten used to the
marks, they add "character."

The pricier DZ handles are a little nicer, my advice is to go to a
nearby luggage store that carries them and see which you prefer. When
you are ready to buy, go to eBay and check out several vendors that
sell these cases (new) at substantially reduced prices compared to
retail.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Undecided Observer wrote:
>
> Dear Lisa,
>
> Thanks! Do you know anything about the differences between the Z5 and
> DZ5 series of cases (especially what the handles are like)? And is
> there anywhere that you especially recommend shopping for them?

The DZ series is newer than my last Halliburton purchase, but I think
that Harry gave you some good advice to check out local luggage stores.
At some luggage stores, you can get factory seconds at a substantial
discount. Given that it's Halliburton, we're talking about very small
flaws here. I usually buy my Halliburton cases used, for two reasons.
They're much cheaper that way, and I don't have to go through the trauma
of putting the first scratch on them. Like Harry also said, they get
scratched quickly, and a lot, but then again, it's kind of a patina.

>
> If anyone else has experience with Matias cases, I'd still love to
> hear about it. Sincerely,

Another possibility, Samsonite has a newish aluminum laptop case that
looks kind of nice, kind of interesting. Another good quality brand.

But if you want to make a certain kind of statement with your laptop
case, Halliburton clearly fits that requirement perfectly.

Lisa

>
> Peter
>
> Lisa Horton <Lisanews0509@lisahorton.net> wrote
>
> > I'm a big fan of Halliburton cases for my photography and lighting
> > gear. One drawback to Halliburton cases is that their distinctive
> > appearance is not unnoticed by thieves, who know that very expensive
> > cases often have expensive things in them. OTOH, Halliburton has a REAL
> > lifetime warrantee. If anything ever goes wrong, they'll make it
> > right. And they are very very VERY sturdy cases. I've carried around
> > 20lbs of coins in my Z3 briefcase, and routinely use Halliburton
> > equipment cases to stand on.
> >
> > Lisa

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.mac.misc (More info?)

In article <4e117f0e.0405141402.52e691d@posting.google.com>,
sumflow2004@yahoo.com (GoldTrade) wrote:

> Trunks are easier to break into than the passenger seating area of an
> automobile. Do not let anyone see you, put it in the car, and walk
> away. A $2.00 screwdriver separates a Soprano from your case if it
> is in the trunk.

Really? What is your source for this bit of information?

--
Stop Mad Cowboy Disease: Vote for John Kerry.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.mac.misc (More info?)

In article <gmgravesnos-BE4D2E.16141614052004@news.sf.sbcglobal.net>,
George Graves <gmgravesnos@pacbell.net> wrote:

> but I bet thieves would leave quickly if confronted by the tie-downs
> I use. Nothing short of a BIG bolt-cutter or a hacksaw (and lots of
> time) would go through them. So, I feel reasonably safe.

I would cut the handles rather than the tether. Many people thought
their cars safe because they used The Club, but found that thieves cut
the steering wheel instead of trying to cut The Club.

--
Stop Mad Cowboy Disease: Vote for John Kerry.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.mac.misc (More info?)

In article <michelle-61AE7C.16511214052004@news.west.cox.net>,
Michelle Steiner <michelle@michelle.org> wrote:

> In article <gmgravesnos-BE4D2E.16141614052004@news.sf.sbcglobal.net>,
> George Graves <gmgravesnos@pacbell.net> wrote:
>
> > but I bet thieves would leave quickly if confronted by the tie-downs
> > I use. Nothing short of a BIG bolt-cutter or a hacksaw (and lots of
> > time) would go through them. So, I feel reasonably safe.
>
> I would cut the handles rather than the tether. Many people thought
> their cars safe because they used The Club, but found that thieves cut
> the steering wheel instead of trying to cut The Club.

Wouldn't matter. You'd have to be able to slide the suitcase sideways to
get it out from under the tethers, and cars just ain't that wide.

--
George Graves
------------------
³When I learned to use my new computer and found out what Microsoft Windows XP does best, I felt like I had just paid $700.00 for a deck of cards.²

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.mac.misc (More info?)

In article <gmgravesnos-CEA581.01482115052004@news.sf.sbcglobal.net>,
George Graves <gmgravesnos@pacbell.net> wrote:

> It's pretty well known that most trunks can be quickly and easily
> broken open with a jimmy bar. Just insert the flat of the bar under
> the lip of the boot lid near the center and push down it. Takes less
> than two seconds. A car passenger door, OTOH, has a double latch to
> keep the door from springing in an accident. They are VERY difficult
> to pry open. But of course, one could just break the glass.

I've seen car doors jimmied open in a matter of a second or two; it's
quite easy with the right tools. I'm not saying that you can't open a
trunk that fast; I'm saying that the doors don't offer any more security
than the trunk does.

--
Stop Mad Cowboy Disease: Vote for John Kerry.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.mac.misc (More info?)

In article <michelle-DE985A.04420815052004@news.west.cox.net>,
Michelle Steiner <michelle@michelle.org> wrote:

> In article <gmgravesnos-6A63A3.01390015052004@news.sf.sbcglobal.net>,
> George Graves <gmgravesnos@pacbell.net> wrote:
>
> > Wouldn't matter. You'd have to be able to slide the suitcase sideways
> > to get it out from under the tethers, and cars just ain't that wide.
>
> I just can't picture what you're saying is the case.

The suitcase I use when I travel in Europe is 31 inches tall. If you put
it in the trunk, on it's side, with a tether tightly drawn over the top,
there is not enough room on either side of the trunk to move such a
large suitcase enough to slip it out from under the tethers. It will hit
the sides of the inside of the trunk after having been slid only a few
inches in either direction. Not enough to get it out from under the
tethers, even if you cut the handle through which both tethers pass
(difficult to do on this case anyway, the handle is aluminum). The only
way to get the suitcase out of the trunk is to lift it straight up and
over the transom by the handle. The tether makes that impossible unless
it is removed or cut.

--
George Graves
------------------
³When I learned to use my new computer and found out what Microsoft Windows XP does best, I felt like I had just paid $700.00 for a deck of cards.²

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.mac.misc (More info?)

In article <michelle-38B4ED.12595715052004@news.west.cox.net>,
Michelle Steiner <michelle@michelle.org> wrote:

> In article <gmgravesnos-32AB6E.12402315052004@news.sf.sbcglobal.net>,
> George Graves <gmgravesnos@pacbell.net> wrote:
>
> > The suitcase I use when I travel in Europe is 31 inches tall. If you
> > put it in the trunk, on it's side, with a tether tightly drawn over
> > the top, there is not enough room on either side of the trunk to move
> > such a large suitcase enough to slip it out from under the tethers.
> > It will hit the sides of the inside of the trunk after having been
> > slid only a few inches in either direction. Not enough to get it out
> > from under the tethers, even if you cut the handle through which both
> > tethers pass (difficult to do on this case anyway, the handle is
> > aluminum). The only way to get the suitcase out of the trunk is to
> > lift it straight up and over the transom by the handle. The tether
> > makes that impossible unless it is removed or cut.
>
> The tether goes from front to back?

Yes the TWO tethers go from front to back. there is no room to twist or
to move the case. It goes straight in and comes straight out. If a thief
cannot get the tether off, there is no easy way to get the suitcase out
of the trunk.

--
George Graves
------------------
³When I learned to use my new computer and found out what Microsoft Windows XP does best, I felt like I had just paid $700.00 for a deck of cards.²

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.mac.misc (More info?)

Always carry the case with the lid (top) toward you.

The Halliburton works great for the uses you specified. If it is lose
in the trunk it may try to bust out.

When I am in keep it in site mode (which is pretty often), I carry it
in the car with me. Usually on the seat to take advantage of the
extra padding. When you expect a race down a two-lane
blacktop-winding road, secure the case with a seat belt through the
hole in the handle.

In a renta car you can always use a soft case to compensate for
irregular seat shapes when you are using your laptop resting on the
passenger seat. You cannot do this with the Halliburton.

There is no shoulder strap on the Halliburton. When I use a generic
soft leather case with a shoulder strap on a ThinkPad it is hardly
noticeable. The Halliburton with a Mac is very heavy.

When you are waiting for a plane on some lonely airstrip out in the
middle of nowhere, you can always sit on the case standing upright.

When you use a public phone, keep the case between your feet where you
can feel it.

You can use the Halliburton for defense, but it will not slow down
bullets.

> >
> > Really? What is your source for this bit of information?
>
> It's pretty well known that most trunks can be quickly and easily broken
> open with a jimmy bar. Just insert the flat of the bar under the lip of
> the boot lid near the center and push down it. Takes less than two
> seconds. A car passenger door, OTOH, has a double latch to keep the door
> from springing in an accident. They are VERY difficult to pry open. But
> of course, one could just break the glass.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.portables,comp.sys.laptops,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.mac.misc (More info?)

In article <slrncbu3g0.7ms.jmaynard@thebrain.conmicro.cx>, Jay Maynard
<jmaynard@thebrain.conmicro.cx> wrote:

> On 2004-06-03, GoldTrade <sumflow2004@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > There is no shoulder strap on the Halliburton. When I use a generic
> > soft leather case with a shoulder strap on a ThinkPad it is hardly
> > noticeable. The Halliburton with a Mac is very heavy.
>
> My Halliburton Z5 came with a shoulder strap.


I'm pretty sure all the Haliburton computer-cases come with a shoulder
strap that can be removed...I just looked at one at the Apple store
yesterday. However the Halliburton attache cases (same size but with
different interiors) don't have the strap.

And actually the combination of an Aluminum or Titanium powerbook
inside a Zero Halliburton case *might* stop a bullet...