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Protect the Machine

Although prices continue to drop for basic laptops, a fully loaded system is still pricey. To protect your investment, you’ll want to adhere to certain best practices. You’ve already read tips in this chapter to deal with cleaning and heat, so let’s look at the “portable” part of portable computers.

Tripping

Pay attention to where you run the power cord when you plug in a laptop. One of the primary causes of laptop destruction is people tripping over the power cord and knocking the laptop off of a desk. This is especially true if you plug in at a public place such as a café or airport. Remember, the life you save could be your portable PC’s!

Storage

If you aren’t going to use your laptop or PDA for a while, storing it safely will go a long way toward keeping it operable when you do power it up again. Investing in a quality case is worth the extra few dollars—preferably one with ample padding. Smaller devices such as PDAs are well protected inside small shock-resistant aluminum cases that clip onto your belt, while laptops do fine in well-padded cases or backpacks. Not only will this protect your system on a daily basis when transporting it from home to office, but it will keep dust and pet hair away as well. Lastly, protect from battery leakage by removing the battery if you’ll be storing your device for an extended time.

Travel

If traveling with a laptop, take care to protect yourself from theft. If possible, use a case that doesn’t look like a computer case. A well-padded backpack makes a great travel bag for a laptop and appears less tempting to would-be thieves. Don’t forget to pack any accessories you might need, like modular devices, spare batteries, and AC adapters. Make sure to remove any disks, such as CD/DVD or floppies, from their drives. Most importantly—back up any important data before you leave!

Make sure to have at least a little battery power available. Heightened security at airports means you might have to power on your system to prove it’s really a computer and not a transport case for questionable materials. And never let your laptop out of your sight. If going through an x-ray machine, request a manual search. The x-ray won’t harm your computer like a metal detector would, but if the laptop gets through the line at security before you do, someone else might walk away with it. If flying, stow your laptop under the seat in front of you where you can keep an eye on it.

If you travel to a foreign country, be very careful about the electricity. North America uses ~115 V power outlets, but the most of the rest of the world uses ~230 V outlets. Many portable computers have auto-switching power supplies, meaning they detect the voltage at the outlet and adjust accordingly. For these portables, a simple plug converter will do the trick. Other portable computers, however, have fixed-input power supplies, which means they run only on ~115 V or on ~230 V power. For these portables, you need a full-blown electricity converting device, either a step-down or step-up transformer. You can find converters and transformers at electrical parts stores, such as Radio Shack in the United States.

Shipping

Much of the storage and travel advice can be applied to shipping. Remove batteries and optical discs from their drives. Pack the laptop well and disguise the container as best you can. Back up any data and verify the warranty coverage. Ship with a reputable carrier and always request a tracking number and, if possible, delivery signature. It’s also worth the extra couple of bucks to pay for the shipping insurance. And when the clerk asks what’s in the box, it’s safer to say “electronics” rather than “a new 20-inch laptop computer.”

Security

The fact is, if someone really wants to steal your laptop, they’ll find a way. There are, however, some things you can do to make yourself, and your equipment, less desirable targets. As you’ve already learned, disguise is a good idea. Although you don’t need to camouflage