Effect of ambient temperature question

[Tõnis]

I read in the literature which came with my ThinkPad that the acceptable ambient temperature range for my my machine is from 40-104 degrees Fahrenheit with the machine off. Is there a buffer of some sort built in, or are these the absolute maximum temperatures? I would like to sometimes leave my machine in a locked tool chest in the van and not have to worry about it if the temp drops from 40 to 35 degrees. What could happen to the ThinkPad in such a situation? What about on the opposite end, if the temp is a little higher than normal? I'm not talking about ridiculous extremes like 20 or 25 degree cold or 130 degrees in the sunlight, just minor deviations from the 40-100 degree "rating."

TIA for your thoughts and experience,

Tony

[jdhurst]

The temperature rating you are referring to is operating temperature. I have no experience on the top end, but I have left my computer in the trunk of my car in winter as have clients. The advice I give out and follow myself is to let a computer warm up to near room temperature before turning it on.
... JDH

[killer]

Your profile says you are in RI. I take that to be Rhode Island. (Please correct me if that is wrong.) What is the temperature variance in RI thoughout the year?

Not being used to Fahrenheit (is the US the only country still using it?), I am trying to remember from childhood and physics lessons, but I feel certain that if you store anything at a low temperature it is less likely to be affected than if it were subjected to high temperatures. That said, battery performance will definitely drop in the cold.

My advice would be to use an insulated container, especially in summer.

I hope this helps.

[Harryc]

Get a toughbook . I don't think temp. variations 5 degrees plus or minus from maximums or minimums would matter. You definately do not want it to freeze though, or the LCD will discolor. Also, if the laptop is left out in any temps. close to freezing, it's a good idea to warm it to room temps for a couple of hours B4 powering it up.

Edit: JDHurst beat me to it ...

[archer6]

I live where the ambient temps are 108 to 112F in the summer and have researched it's effects, as there are times when I must leave my computer in the car. When I must, I keep it in the trunk, since temp guage readings I've taken reveal the trunk does not get as hot as the passenger compartment.

Under hot conditions, the area of concern, is the degradation of the battery. Typically over the summer the heat of leaving my computer in the trunk, for only one hour twice a week kills one battery. So I end up buying a new battery at the end of each summer.

There is no adverse effect on the computer itself as long as its allowed to cool before use. Same as one would do in cold temps, which have no adverse effect on the battery.

[Wayne83]

There are three main issues, that could be caused through extreme temperatures:

1. Battery failure through high temperatures
2. Condensing Water through extrem low temperatures, high humidity and no time to let the water in the notebook evaporate. This could cause short circuits and/or corrosion over long time.
3. Extrem temperature differences (!) between storage and usage could cause hard-disk issues, because of heat extension (the read/write heads cannot find the tracks any more). So you should try to boot up the notebook not when it's extemely cold or hot.

Not to mention, that there is a increased wearing for all other components through very low and very high temperatures resp. high temperature differences, especially while usage.

This applies of course only on real high temperatures: I used my thinkpad and PC in dorm, in winter (windows left open over night) there were quite low temperatures (5 to 10 °C)in the morning (operating temp. was then 25 to 30°C), but there were no hardware failures in about 5 years. So, if you aren't making holidays in the arctic ice , you shouldn't get major problems.

[Tõnis]

Thanks, all for your thoughts and experience. I won't "sweat" it too much, then ...

Tõnis