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Laptops for Warm Climates?
macrostiff asks: "Where might one locate a product comparison for laptops and notebooks that includes environmental specifications? Why do I want this? Well, I'm on my second notebook that will not work outside of a climate controlled environment. In the real world, one often encounters temperatures above 35 degrees celcius. I've been through two notebooks for which this was the specified operational limit, which was not published, and the manufacturer or dealer led me astray until there were problems. In particular, I am looking for a notebook with 900MHz or faster CPU (fast enough to play DVD's) which will work under full CPU utilization at 40 degrees celcius (104F) and 90% relative humidity. While a bit extreme at the limit, 35-38 degrees and 80% relative humidity is not uncommon for those of us who work in areas with no air conditioning. Oh yes, it must run Linux!"
I still have blisters on my legs from the last time I took "laptop" at its word.
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The drawback: cost... you're talking about $4K for a top-of-the-line model. But you'll never have to worry about breaking it.
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Check out this link.
.mil also use the toughbooks in the field. In fact, the only real difference between the .mil toughbooks and the civilian ones is the case/color.
The toughbook can operate at tempratures up to 140F and 95% humidity.
If you really need a ruggedized laptop, the toughbooks are the only way to go. I've heard stories about toughbooks falling into the Amazon and being pulled out with the screen still powered up...
The
Like others, I suspect a TiBook would work well. Mine runs fine through long compiles at temperatures in the 90's (F ), and without getting into MHz squabbling, you don't need nearly 900 to play DVDs fine on a G4. And while they have a reputation for being hot, that's because the design conducts heat out the bottom so well -- they're probably relatively cool inside.
But here's my question: is humidity relevant? It is for us humans, cooled by evaporation, but does a fan-cooled CPU care whether it's in Phoenix or Jakarta? Or is the humidity concern tied to mildew or corrosion issues?
What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
As far as TCO goes, you might just be better off buying 10 or 12 cheap Thinkpads from ebay. Get all the same (or close) model numbers. When one dies, pop out the hard drive and put it in another one. Or keep an OS image on a PC somewhere and load up the "new" laptop that way. Or image them all at the same time and keep your personal stuff on a network someplace. I'm not sure what exactly you need the portable for.
BTW, you can get cheap Toughbooks on ebay as well, as long as you don't mind running a slower processor.
-B
Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.
I have used my 15" 667MHz Ti book in un-airconditioned E. Texas with temperatures in the mid 90's with some success.
I can play a DVD for almost 2 hours before I must let my powerbook cool down. Granted the fan is on during this, and it makes a big difference if it is on a hard surface. Generally I get through the movie, but I have to let my powerbook cool for about a half hour before I can watch any of the special features. In general I have found that the optical drives on these computers tend to generate a bunch of heat. I only fail to burn a CD when I am burning 3+ in sequence... so now I let it cool down after 2 discs.
At these temperatures it is very important to run on a hard surface. With normal use (php/apache/mysql to a local web browser for data entry) and processor cycling on, the fan will stay at a happy medium speed.
I have used my powerbook in all kinds of conditions, and several of my friends take them camping from cars. You have to be careful with the Ti powerbook because they are a bit fragile, but they seem to be able to deal with camping / generators in death valley, etc.
MAK
Humidity can case several problems for laptops:
Your standard run-of-the-mill IC's in the black plastic/cases are not well sealed against moisture. Over time, moisture seeps in and can damage the chips. This problem is accelerated by high temperatures and humidities.
Humidity and temperature changes can cause plastic parts to change in size (think of all the plastic moving bits in a typical CD-R*/DVD/etc. drive).
Condensataion when the device moves from a cool envronment to a warm humid environment (where the dew point of the humid environment is higher than the temperature in the cool environment).
Humidity will have a minor effect on cooling, but can kill the laptop in other ways.
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