Mac Discussion

I was wondering if my Imac would encounter any problems if I used it outside. I live in Florida so naturally we have lots of humidity. I want to use it on my screened in patio for about 2 months while some remodeling is going on.

Remember the two magic words.... Thanks and please.
Imac Intel Core 2 Duo, 20", 2.16 GHz, 2.5GB of RAM, OS10.4.11

I'd get a waterproof cover for when you are away if a storm with rain pops up. A surge protector would also be advised. Severe wind might blow it over unless it is clamped to the desktop. The dust of remodeling would be more harmful than humidity, but do be aware of the operating temps in the instruction manual-I'd avoid this choice in the heat of Summer.

From Apple's iMac Tech Specs:

# Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
# Storage temperature: -4° to 116° F (-20° to 47° C)
# Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing

I used a computer in Hawaii and didn't encounter any extraordinary problems, except keeping it out of direct sun. I did put a sealed bag/cover on it when I wasn't using it and threw a dehumidfier in the bag as a extra protection. I did the same sort of thing for my printer paper to keep the humidity and damp out of it. My 2 cents.

My bagged computer was powered down, of course, to prevent heat buildup.

Thanks to all for the tips.

Remember the two magic words.... Thanks and please.
Imac Intel Core 2 Duo, 20", 2.16 GHz, 2.5GB of RAM, OS10.4.11

Presuming it's not in direct sunlight and the remodeling dust isn't extreme, then the two things to be worried about (it seems to me) based on the published operating specs are:

* temperature surpassing 95º
* humidity surpassing 95%

Depending upon where you are in FLA, either or both of those things are a real possibility.

Every room being remodeled? Buy a 3/4 ton window unit for 80 bucks & bunker down in an isolated room.

Wouldn't it be nice if everything was wireless... especially the hard drives so all you had to do was move the computer itself?

Remember the two magic words.... Thanks and please.
Imac Intel Core 2 Duo, 20", 2.16 GHz, 2.5GB of RAM, OS10.4.11

<<Wouldn't it be nice if everything was wireless... >>

Patience. uber Bluetooth will come eventually.

You have two conflicting problems. Higher temperatures (not good) and humidity (not good) because you are in Florida. Turning off the computer allows it to cool down which allows humidity to condense inside the case. Condensation of pure water is not a short term serious problem but if there is salt spray (are you close to the ocean) in the air you have a real problem. A friend who ran an environmental test lab for an aerospace company told me that they used multi-million dollar machines to shake/bake/vibrate/freeze/thaw/vacuum all sorts of components but the one test that ALWAYS failed components was the salt spray chamber. It simply maintained high humidity with a salt solution in the spray at a temperature a bit over 100 degrees. Electrical components that were 100% potted in epoxy took longer to fail but they would all eventually fail.

Keeping the computer warmer than the surroundings (leaving it on) will help prevent condensation but there we go with the operating temperatures recommended for your computer. Is it really that hot this time of the year? If you bag it with a dehumidifier when shutting down that would help but it seems like a pain. A small air conditioner would be the ticket since it would do all the condensing of what ever type of humidity you will have. Of course if you are miles away from the beaches then the saline-condensation is probably not an issue. (Here I go flip flopping)

So what does all this mean? Leave it plugged in and sleep it when not using your computer. There will be a small amount of power used but keeping the guts of your computer warmer will keep condensation down or prevent it. Use a small window a/c (craigslist)blowing towards you when computing if the day is hot. If it is not that hot (below 90), don't worry about it. That is what I would do.

PS- After writing all this, it occurred to me that dust and power spikes from the construction are probably more of a threat to your computer than heat and humidity. Oh, well.

Some of you have mentioned placing a waterproof cover on your Mac. Does anyone have suggestions for a good waterproof cover? I work in an office with a leaky roof. We'd like to cover several iMacs and Mac Minis. I would appreciate any thoughts you have on what to buy or where to look. Thanks!

Any cover that will keep out water will also trap heat under the cover.
If the mac is off this is not a problem. If it is running then you will suffocate it's cooling.
The best solution is to fix the leaks. If that is not going to happen then a cover (Plastic tarp, roofing panel, or what ever) suspended or supported over the mac is the next best (it might even embarrass someone into fixing the problem). A plastic tarp over a powered down computer is fine but must be removed if the computer is running.