I think it's more like how long until it overheats... maybe a mechanical fuction with valves and fans... the valves open, when temps reach a max, and vent all the air (one in, one out).  Combined with a moisture sensor that can override this from happening... and a "rain setting" that  gives you some warning beeps when its getting too hot.
Just brainstorming ideas....
Oh, another thing that you've probably already thought of is expansion and contraction issues.  I could forsee the computer running for a while and getting hot, and then being dropped into a pool of  cold water.  The seals may give due to the different rates of contraction, and all that work lost!

The valves and fans idea is an interesting thought.  I'm a bit leery, as what happens if the computer is dropped into the water while the valve is open?


I was planning on using liquid gasket to seal spaces that are not sealed in fabrication.  Considering that there is a wide variety of possible temperatures that occur in automobiles, I wasn't too concerned about expansion and contraction.

Here's a thought worth sharing: If you attach the tablet to its user with a strong cable or chain, it will never hit the ground (or the water) even if its dropped!

NASA spent millions developing a ball-point pen to work in zero-G. The Russians used pencils.

Not true if the users will jump in the water.

Also, Russia had problems with graphite dust getting into everything, due to the lack of gravity to control it.

may as well throw in a hi-def screen,
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=207751
seems like there is only one sucessfully running; but quite a few folks tyring to work out the bugs!

Oh, and heres the idea regarding the valves....
1)you get a warning indicating venting required
2)you press a button/ key combo to vent
3)valves close if you don't have the button/s held down
this could be done even if there was no warning. You may as well vent before a render ... A bit of a pain in the ass, but it's a small price for the most kick ass notebook ever!
I'd love to see a temp guage in the OS top bar, and be able to watch it decrease when you vent!

I love the idea, sounds like it should be a computer technology on Firefly or Battlestar.  However, it won't work in my situation.  I really like it though.

Cool it with a fan that is hooked to a one-way valve, so the air will come out and the water will not come in. maybe put the air under pressure and then have it blasted out.

Will the computer work in a vacuum?

go ssd with the hard drive, ultimate in shock protection, and can be used in vacuums.

as for the cooling, take a cue from zalman with their silent pc case. make the case the heatsink. or at least part of it. i envision the cpus heatpiped to heatsink fins on the top of the case and a cage protecting them.

oh, and there isnt a 17" widescreen touch panel from keytec, only a 15.4" wide.