Workshop Laptop

[Gragson]

I've just ordered another 2nd hand laptop of decent spec for the workshop, sub 200 does not make sense to me to buy new.
My previous 2 lasted about 3/4 years each and they were at least 2/3 years old before. Mainly use for browsing, TV radio..

Both previous have died from HDD issues and not worth repairing, the new one is going to be SSD.

I've always left them in the workshop and generally covered over if anything really messy is going on.
Question is do you leave yours in the sheds or bring them in because of temp changes?
Would SSD be better or more susceptible to temp and dust dirt?
Any other tips on shed laptop care.

 

[gaz1]

ssd's are better but do suffer the same hard drive failures
they also make older systems better so your previous ones only needed a ssd just to get it back working again

dust is the main issue with laptops base unit its open side and clean the fans out and cpu fan the power unit takes loads of dust in there and that is the only thing ive had fail on me

the shift from cold to warm can cause damp in machines so its up to you if you move it from cold shed to warm house and back again

 

[MattF]

Mainly use for browsing, TV radio..

&...

 

[8ob]

Panasonic toughbooks are a robust laptop, mine has survived over ten years in the workshop without issues

 

[Gragson]

Panasonic toughbooks are a robust laptop, mine has survived over ten years in the workshop without issues

That takes me back, Fujitsu did a version of toughbook as well, we dished them out to about 300 techs doing vending machine service / repairs. Hardly rough work.
We were pretty early adopters in the UK, The Japs could not believe the failure rates we were getting compared to workforces in Japan.

I suppose the "does it work as a frisbee" test did not apply to the workforce in Japan...

 

[julianf]

I have a desktop machine in the workshop.

I hit the screen with the end of a bit of angle iron the other day - took a proper chunk out of it. Still works.
I got the screen covered with a load of overspray once. Took the DA to it. Still works.

Mouse is doing well too. But keyboards dont live long.

Damp sometimes gets the power supply. Occasionally (every year, i guess) have to unplug the ram and plug it back in again.


I think id go though laptops rapidly. Harder to swap out individual broken components.

 

[skotl]

I've just ordered another 2nd hand laptop of decent spec for the workshop, sub 200 does not make sense to me to buy new.
My previous 2 lasted about 3/4 years each and they were at least 2/3 years old before. Mainly use for browsing, TV radio..

Both previous have died from HDD issues and not worth repairing, the new one is going to be SSD.

I've always left them in the workshop and generally covered over if anything really messy is going on.
Question is do you leave yours in the sheds or bring them in because of temp changes?
Would SSD be better or more susceptible to temp and dust dirt?
Any other tips on shed laptop care.

SSDs will be far more reliable, given they are literally solid state so no moving parts to worry about shock or dust.

As mentioned, neither the fan nor the keyboard will thank you for an abundance of dust so I'd stick it in a drawer or cover it with something when it's not in use.

Don't fire it up if temps are close to freezing - they don't really enjoy cold temperatures (which may sound counter-intuitive, as we all know they hate very high temperatures!)

 

[Robert Weaver]

My Panasonic cf-h2 has lasted several years in the workshop, minimum 7 degC in winter. Works ok, but touch screen is carp and mouse is a bit erratic. Runs oscilloscope and data logger ok.

 

[Gragson]

As mentioned, neither the fan nor the keyboard will thank you for an abundance of dust so I'd stick it in a drawer or cover it with something when it's not in use.

Cheers, makes sense, I will bring the new one in during winter and see if I can get a breathable bag type thing to stick it in to prevent dust when not in use in the summer.
Low pressure air dusting sounds like an idea now and again around the inlets & keyboard ?

 

[skotl]

Cheers, makes sense, I will bring the new one in during winter and see if I can get a breathable bag type thing to stick it in to prevent dust when not in use in the summer.
Low pressure air dusting sounds like an idea now and again around the inlets & keyboard ?

To be honest, I just have a couple of old towels that I throw over things that I don't want to get dust (mainly wood, but some grinding) into. Bit of an odd tip, but if you have a towel with a pattern on one side then always have the pattern side up, so that you don't end up transferring gunk into the device if/when you turn the towel over.

Of course, towels aren't much good anywhere there is a spark / fire hazard, but then laptops don't like that either!

 

[frank horton]

I just cover my mac with a cardbord box chucked over it....then ut it bak as soon as finished with it....
thinking about moding a tall kitchen cupboard for the next shop....
the top door keep the comp clean with bott door removed for the chair...even if I have to build a special cupboard....
it'll keep the mice out as well.........

 

[GRW]

I used to say to customers querying storage / installation for electronic devices & controls - that the easy rule of thumb for such kit, is it ideally "likes" an environment the same as people like..

I.e. not too hot, not too cold, not too dusty, dirty or damp. If it's an environment you are comfortable to sit in for extended periods without being covered (no, not the bath, or on the Can ) then so will the kit.

 

[Smallfry]

I would NEVER have another machine without SSD. So much better.

SWMBO gets our machines from her workplace. The IT department upgrade/ renew them frequently. They renew the OS and sell them off to staff. On Dell Latitude Ultrabook ATM, cost £70. Had loads of them just before Christmas

 

[graffian]

I have an old Dell Precision, 2010ish. I have had it since 2015, it lives in the
garage and is on all day every day.
The laptop seems unaffected by the cold, unlike lcd calculators, the screens get slugish and
the viewing angle changes over time.
However the speakers stopped working a few years ago, I am guessing they have swarf in
them, but some ancient car speakers work with it and seem unaffected by swarf!