Technology & Related Articles - Garmin Forerunner Reviews

Your new laptop may be at risk, and you have to protect it against the many dangers out there that may cut its lifespan short: soda or coffee spills, moisture building up inside the casing, and impact from being dropped, among others. The portability that makes your computer so convenient is also what puts it at risk from all these.

"Portability" doesn't necessarily equate to "durability." Most of these machines have delicate components, and while manufacturers are continuously trying to make these components tougher, you'll still have to do your part in taking care of them and keeping your comp in good condition.

Liquids are one of the more common causes of damage. Hot ones like coffee may expose your laptop to steam, which can condense into moisture in its interior. Very cold ones with ice can also cause condensation, moisture to build up. Soda is especially damaging when spilled on your portable- even if it dries, it can leave behind a sticky residue that attracts dust and grit.

The weather in your area may also damage your laptop. In places with high humidity like Los Angeles or Florida, the moist air can introduce moisture in your portable's components. This becomes worse if you tend to move your laptop in and out of very cold and then very hot areas (like from an air-conditioned workplace to an outside table in a coffeeshop). Invest in a moisture-proof case, and wipe down any dampness if you notice any. If you do find dampness, move your laptop to a drier area and wait for it to dry before using.

The hard drive of your laptop can also be damaged from wear and tear- when it's turned on, it spins up. Moving it around while it's on can cause your hard drive to crash- if you can't turn off your comp before putting it away and moving it around, at least put it in sleep mode, or even better, in hibernate. In these modes, the hard drive is powered down, and is safe from damage from excessive motion.

Lastly, don't leave your laptop running while it's on a bed. Putting it on the bed can prevent the heat from escaping from under the unit, letting heat build up. This heat in turn can cause the silicon components to overheat. Do this often enough, and you may shorten the lifespan of your computer by several years.

Having a laptop means that you have to protect it against many dangers: moisture from hot and humid environments like florida or los angeles, liquids spilling on your computer, or hard drives crashing because of improper shutdown procedures. While your unit was designed to be portable, it may not be as durable as you think, so always be careful on how and where you use it.