The public library where I am now has free wireless. I’ve used it indoors but I now see I am still able to get the wireless connection outside the building too. They have a lot of grass and space and the days are getting so nice outside, I thought it might be nice to be able to use the laptop and enjoy the weather.
However I am concerned about what this would do to the computer. I know they don’t like heat (it’s only about 70ºF) and what about the sun and the screen on the laptop.
Can a laptop be used safely outside or is it a risk not worth taking?
I’ve done it plenty and I’ve never had a problem. Of course I wouldn’t leave it in the sun for hours on end on a 90 degree day, but if it’s only 70 and we’re just talking about a few hours, I think you’ll be fine.
Just as one example, specs for the Dell Inspirion give operating temperature from 41-95F. My guess is that’s conservative. I’m sure the battery in my Latitude heats up to over 100F.
Sunlight is a non-issue unless it heats up the case too much, which it probably won’t at 70F temps. It would be more of an issue as far as washing out the screen.
Anyone who has ever climbed into a hot car on a sunny day knows that the sun can heat things up a lot hotter than the ambient air. That said, I doubt a few hours outside will do much harm, but if you can find a shady picnic table you’ll do much better. Plus, you’ll be able to see the screen a lot easier.
If your laptop spends an awful lot of time outdoors the UV from the sun will start to fade the plastic and might have some harmful effects on the screen as well, but you’d have to spend a LOT of time outside for this to happen.
Don’t block the laptop’s vents. “Keep off the grass” applies to laptops.