Portability

kosokuadam · 25 Mar 2011

OK, this isn't so much of a Windows 7-specific issue per se. I have (recently) gotten a Sony Vaio 16.4" laptop. Of course, I have to take a computer several places, usually a couple days a week. I was wondering, what is the best way to ensure that this somewhat regular transportation won't hurt the PC or reduce its life in any way...I ask this because I previously had a laptop, of similar size, and it fail structurally in a couple of places, one year into its life.

I already have a neoprene sleeve for it, but are there any other safety precautions that I might take?

Ztruker · 25 Mar 2011

DON'T DROP IT!

Maguscreed · 25 Mar 2011

I personally bought a specialized backpack made by samsonite for my laptop (has a super cushioned and lined area just for the laptop in it) and it seems to have kept my laptop alive and well for quite sometime. (it's a old xp laptop that came with xp media center on it)

Anyhow the backpack was pricey, I think it was nearly 200 bucks, but I still have it and the laptop both about 7 years later.

kosokuadam · 25 Mar 2011

Well, that was informative. I take it that means no worries, then? Really the extent of shock this thing could receive is sitting on a car seat then a short walk to a desk. I suppose that hard drive failure by shock could only occur in operation, correct?

Maguscreed · 25 Mar 2011

well not only but primarily yes.
You could always invest in a solid state drive upgrade for it, which wouldn't be nearly as prone to damage from vibration and g-force shock.

Ztruker · 26 Mar 2011

Heat is always a problem with laptops so make sure there is good air circulation around it when using it. Heat and shock are the two primary causes of failure.

allend66 · 26 Mar 2011

While transporting it, put it to sleep, hibernate or turn it off. (On a Lenovo laptop I use there is a shock detection that freezes HD activity when it detects movement/bumps.)

indianacarnie · 26 Mar 2011

I travel extensively (see my username

) and my Toshiba really gets a workout some days. Bobtail semi's, many box trucks and loaded down ton pick-ups pulling rides/games/food trailers. I keep my machine with me at all times, even when I drive 2 , 3 , or more vehicles a day. I turn it off and keep it in a regular computer bag and have had no problems. Don't know if I'm just lucky or if Toshiba's are just robust! I am careful with it though I must admit

. As allend66 , my machine has a harddrive acceleration sensor which I had enabled for about a year thought I HAVE had it turned off/disabled for about the same length of time. (Was way too sensitive for me.... would lock the drive with EVERY bump no matter how slight)