UK Heatwave | How to look after a laptop in hot weather

In light of the country's current heatwave, it's a good time to remember these simple recommendations on how to care for your corporate device under extreme conditions.

Ventilation

In general, try to keep your laptop in a cool environment and well-ventilated area. If you work from home, it's tempting to use your lap as your desk, but that blocks the cooling vents located at the base of your laptop, causing it to struggle when trying to cool properly. Place your laptop on an even, flat surface, such as a table/desktop, to ensure air flow, or even better, use a laptop riser stand.

An absolute “no no” is using soft surfaces like cushions or pillows as they completely block airflow.

Avoid the sun

It is not advisable to leave your laptop in direct sunlight or in your car if its under the sun. 

Extreme temperatures can accelerate the deterioration of batteries in general, but with Lithium ones (the ones most commonly found in laptops) they produce carbon dioxide causing them to bloat and putting massive strain on the device’s chassis, leading to cracks and distortions. 

A faulty battery is the starting point of a variety of problems, so it’s vital to maintain them properly.

Clean the device

Dust and debris can accumulate in the air vents and fans causing your laptop to heat up. Regularly clean these areas with a dry cloth, a soft brush or use compressed air to remove any buildup. You'll find the air vents at the bottom of your laptop and/or at the gap between the screen and the keyboard.

Keep an eye out for drinks

Specially on hot days we need to hydrate more, so the risk of spilling liquid on our keyboards and damaging internal components increases. Try to keep drinks away from your laptop to minimize the risk or/and consider using spill-resistant containers or cups with lids. 

Remember, excessive heat can cause damage to your laptop's internal components, so it's crucial to take precautions during a heatwave, keep it cool 😎