Expert: Bobbert - 12/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I would like to buy a laptop or a netbook so that I can watch educational videos in a park with sunshine and fresh air around me since I think I spend far too much time in my computer room.

I think people would be happier and healthier if they can go outdoors and use their laptops or netbooks in fresh air and sunshine.

In between watching videos which will be downloaded on my laptop or netbook hard drive
I would also like to type in some notes in a Word document if the need arose. I have the ASUS 1005HA netbook in mind at the moment since it far cheaper than any laptop that I have looked at and seems to be quite capable for my intended use of it.

My general experience of sunlight coming into my room indicates that it would not be practical to buy a laptop for the purpose I intend even if I buy it with a matte screen instead of a glossy one.

But there may be an alternative or I can be wrong.

1.      If you use a laptop or know someone who uses a laptop outdoors, can you tell me what your experience or theirs has been with regard watching videos ?
Can you comfortably follow an educational youtube video on a laptop or netbook on a cloudy day outdoors ? What about a sunny day ? What is the solution ? What if I wear polaroid sunglasses, would that make a difference ? What has your experience been ?

2.   Another problem is hot sunny days. 25 deg C is comfortably warm. 30 deg C is too warm for comfort. Can it handle a temperature of less than 30 deg C outdoors day in day out for several days ? What data do laptop manufacturers have on this ?

3.   I am also concerned about using my laptop or netbook indoors and leaving it plugged into a mains electricity power point so as to save battery power. Leaving the battery continuously on mains electricity is not recommended. Is it possible to remove the fully charged battery and have the laptop or netbook work directly from mains electricity ?

I am asking these questions to various experts since I think the more information that can be put forward on this topic, the better.

Thank you for your time and experience.


ANSWER: In response to your questions, the Eee 1005HA is a decent little netbook, and can handle the tasks you've outlined (unless you're wanting to watch 1080p videos that is), so I wouldn't have a problem suggesting it.

As far as using it outdoors, sunlight likely won't be a problem, you'll just need to find a brightness setting that works for you and your environment.

Temperature wise, generally consumer grade hardware has an operational range of something like -5* F to 95* F, as the ambient temperature (so roughly -20* C to 35* C), I wouldn't be overly worried about average outdoor temperatures, although I would follow manufacturer suggestions to not leave the system in direct sunlight (the UV rays can eventually damage the plastic casing and LCD panel itself, as well as heating the system above ambient in some cases).

As far as the battery, yes, you can remove the battery if wanted and run the system from the wall, although I haven't heard much in the way of "exploding batteries" with the Eee series (no reason to be unsafe though).

-bob


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your interesting reply.

Are there any cheaper Asus or other brand models that are more suitable for my intended use ? I have heard that some netbooks or laptops come with screens which produce more light and you can see the pictures in brighter conditions. Has the Asus 1005 this capability ?

Regarding the battery, is it actually safer to unplug a fully or mostly charged batttery when the laptop is connected and working on mains electricity ?
Wwhy did you say no reason to be unsafe ? Are you implying that fully charged plugged batteries can explode if they have mains electricity running through them ?
What is the average lifespan of a netbook battery and what will be the signs that it needs to be replaced by a new one ?

Cheers.  

Answer
Honestly I can't really say how the 1005 will perform for you in sunlight, although I'm doubting it will be an issue.

As far as the battery goes, in normal usage, there is no reason to remove the battery, if you're going to be on mains primarily, and never use the battery, then I would consider removing it, but even still, I don't see much of an issue.

I wasn't trying to imply that the battery could explode, however in the majority of cases of battery failure, its the result of overcharging, this isn't anything the user actually has control over, its a defective circuit in the battery itself (that fails to turn off the charging hardware), so if you're concerned about the battery exploding, removing it when on on mains not to charge isn't an unrealistic action to take (just like not having the unit in your lap, it won't harm the unit, and it won't harm you).

As far as average lifespan, a few years is easily expected from a lithium ion battery, as far as replacement, you'll probably replace the computer before you'll want to replace the battery.

-bob