Computer in Hot Car

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

My wife and daughter are going to El Paso, TX and taking a round trip car trip to Carsbad, Roswell, Ruidoso, etc. for a week in late August. My daughter wants to take her laptop. Does she need to be concerned about the temperature in the car during the day time, going from place to place and sightseeing?

[grest Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grest]

I'd worry about it...a few of my friends who work for hospice and have to use a laptop for work fried theirs in hot cars and were advised to always take their computers into patients' homes during visits...
Just driving in an airconditioned car is fine, but leaving it in for hours on end in hot and humid weather...I wouldn't do it.
Connie

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

As the previous poster said it is probably better to not have it in the heat and humidity but I would not worry about the heat itself dammaging the computer. I would be more concerned with making sure that I let it come down to room temperature before booting it up. In my opinion the real danger with temperature extremes and computers is in booting them up when they are either overheated or too cold.

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

I agree that heat itself is not very likely to damage the computer. You can usually go online and get the specs for range of temperatures it can handle. Of course, keeping it out of direct sunlight would be a good idea when it is sitting in the car.

Another important point is to make sure it is really turned off, not just in standby mode. A lot of times laptops are set up to just go in standby when you close the lid. In standby, it is still running, drawing power, etc.

Kurt

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

You may want to contact the company that made the computer and ask their opinion.

[cmb Member Find all posts View Profile Close cmb]

re: Another important point is to make sure it is really turned off, not just in standby mode. A lot of times laptops are set up to just go in standby when you close the lid. In standby, it is still running, drawing power, etc.
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Can you explain the difference between standby and hibernate? I always thought it was better to use hibernate but my boss (a high tech engr mgr) says standby is better. I'm confused....