Hardware

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

By Bill Detwiler

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Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

G3 versus the cliff

G3 versus the cliff

Webshots member jpizzle1122 and a few friends found an old Macintosh G3 computer, that one of the Emerson College computer labs was throwing out. Instead of sending the machine to the local scrap heap, they took it home, scavenged it for parts, and then did the only sensible thing a technology enthusiast could do–tossed the computer over a 45-foot cliff to test the G3’s “impact resistance”. Okay, this experiment is a little light on science, but it more than makes up for it with copious computer carnage.

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Before launch

Before launch

This old Macintosh G3 has only minor case damage before the drop.

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Just before impact

Just before impact

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Impact - First bounce

Impact - First bounce

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Impact - Second bounce

Impact - Second bounce

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Case after first drop

Case after first drop

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Separated cover

Separated cover

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Photographing the internal damage

Photographing the internal damage

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Collecting the wreckage

Collecting the wreckage

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Once just wasn't enough -- Let's do it again!

Once just wasn't enough -- Let's do it again!

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Second Impact

Second Impact

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Investigating the second crash site

Investigating the second crash site

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Firewire and USB ports

Firewire and USB ports

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Collecting the debris

Collecting the debris

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Careful not to drop it

Careful not to drop it

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Case side

Case side

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Rock beats plastic

Rock beats plastic

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Examining the wreckage

Examining the wreckage

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Photographing the aftermath

Photographing the aftermath

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Motherboard

Motherboard

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

G3 Autopsy

G3 Autopsy

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Apple Macintosh G3 tossed over a 45-foot cliff

Total destruction

Total destruction

© Webshots – jpizzle1122

Image of Bill Detwiler
By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.