When it comes to keeping your laptop computer running smooth, heat is actually more dangerous than cold. Does that mean there’s nothing to worry about in winter? Unfortunately, not.
Cold weather can still cause problems. Most laptop computers have LCD screens. LCD stands for liquid crystal display. When temperatures dip below 32-degrees Fahrenheit, liquid freezes which can cause permanent damage to your LCD screen. That’s the number one reason to make sure you never leave your computer in a cold car or even on a cold floor overnight.
We all make mistakes every now and then and even a short walk from a parking lot to a school or office building can bring the core temperature of your laptop computer below freezing. When that happens, patience truly is a virtue. If your laptop is cold, don’t start it up as soon as you get to your desk. Take it out of your bag, set it on a flat surface and get yourself a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. After all, if your laptop is cold, chance are you are too! Whatever you do, don’t try to accelerate the warming process with any kind of heating element such as a space heater, hair drier, or heating pad to warm your device. Simply leave at room temp for 15 minutes and it should be fine.
The reason you want to wait for your laptop to come up to room temperature is condensation. When cold metal comes into contact with heat, moisture can form on the metal. This moisture can be very damaging to the components inside your laptop, specifically, the mother board which is the source of your laptop’s power and memory. After you and your laptop have warmed up, go ahead and turn it on.
At give IT. get IT., we’re here to help people in need acquire high-quality computers and keep them for a long time. Like any machine, proper care and maintenance is the key to a long, productive life. Look for more Learn IT articles here on our website and on our Facebook page!
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