title: Laptop Safety link: https://onemoretech.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/laptop-safety/ author: lembobro description: post_id: 537 created: 2008/05/01 13:03:52 created_gmt: 2008/05/01 13:03:52 comment_status: open post_name: laptop-safety status: publish post_type: post

Laptop Safety

This is a post about laptop safety. Real safety. OSHA film type safety.

First, the obligatory scare-your-pants-off video from pcpitstop.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s the list (with a little editing by me) from Rob Cheng’s blog:

1. Buy Batteries from the Manufacturer. There’s a huge “aftermarket” in lithium-ion batteries for laptops. Unfortunately most li-ion’s only last around 2 years from time of manufacture, and the older a battery is, the greater the risk of its going unstable.
2. Only Use the Battery When on Battery Power. If you’re running the laptop on A/C for an extended period (e.g. overnight), remove the battery. This is a good performance tip too — since the machine will run cooler because the empty battery bay allows heat to vent easier.
3. Read your email and spread the word. It’s really important to keep up with the latest recall notices from manufacturers, as well as reports of hardware defects in the news.
4. Avoid hot situations. Be sure not to block the vents along the sides or back of the unit. Don’t leave it in direct sunlight, in a car, or any other confined space that could heat up (like an oven) for more than a short time.
5. Demand a Solution. Rob doesn’t give any examples in his blog, but this one should be obvious. Write to the manufacturer of your laptop(s), your local, state and federal legislators, OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration). For addresses of legislators and agency heads, start at congress.org and use the “My Elected Officials” lookup on the home page.

Copyright 2004-2019 Phil Lembo