8 Tips for Using Laptops in Hot & Warm Weather

It’s that time of year again in North America where temperatures climb and weather becomes erratic. Add to that the possibility of power outages and you have new challenges to face when using your laptop. Take care in warm and hot weather to follow these tips to ensure you use your laptop safely and don’t have any problems with it.


1. Safe Temperature RangeMost laptop computers operate properly in the safe temperature range of 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 to 35 degrees Celsius. Keep in mind that when bringing a laptop in from the warm hot air, the laptop must cool down to the interior temperature before you use it. By the same token if you use your laptop outdoors, then let the laptop warm up to the outside temperature before starting it up.

2. Hot CarsJust as you wouldn’t leave people or animals in a car in hot weather, you should not leave your laptop and other mobile gear either. Leaving your laptop closed in a vehicle in hot temperatures will cause damage to your laptop. The heat is not good for the internal components or the external casings.

3. Bright SunNever leave your laptop where it is exposed to direct sunlight, whether it is in use or shut down. If you must use your laptop outside in bright conditions you can use either:
a laptop glare screen which cuts down on the glare caused by the sun
a laptop hood which cuts down on the amount of light directed at the laptop display.
4. HumidityIn warm weather people are fond of saying it’s not the heat itself that bothers them but the dreaded humidity. Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air and the recommended safe range of relative humidity is 10-80%. Moisture can cause damage to the internal components of a laptop and you may not even realize that the damage has occurred.
5. Take it OutIf you use your laptop in hot temperatures consider using a removable hard drive to store your data on. This way you can help protect your data and ensure that your removable hard drive stays protected from exposure to heat and the sun.
6. Weather WatchingIn warm, hot weather there are more storms, often with little or no warning and more severe weather occurrences which mobile professionals must face when traveling. Equipment to help protect your mobile gear includes having surge protectors, power invertors and spare batteries. External battery charges that don’t require an electrical connection are another wise investment.
7. Keep it CoolUse a laptop stand to disperse heat that your laptop generates. Laptop stands are available in a variety of styles to suit your working needs. There are laptop stands which include fans to help dissipate the heat and keep your laptop working at its best.

8. Pack it WiselyUsing a properly fitted and well-padded laptop case for your mobile gear will help keep it insulated against heat, moisture and direct sunlight. When buying your laptop case make sure all your mobile gear will fit securely and be protected from the effects of weather.