It’s the age of the digital nomad lifestyle and more people are opting to ditch traditional 9-5 jobs to embrace anywhere in the world as their workplace. There are more places in the world that now have the improved infrastructure for a reliable internet connection, which is all digital nomads need to get their work done as they explore more countries. This new way to experience a career takes some getting used to and a huge part of this is to have the right gear and accessories to keep them in tip top shape to prevent any time-consuming damages.

The Perils of Devices in the Elements

One of the first things that comes to mind when it comes to digital nomads is working at the beach laying in the sun while sipping a cool drink. It’s picturesque, but doesn’t acknowledge the very real dangers smart devices like tablets, phones, and laptops face outside an office.

Temperature

Electronics can heat up rapidly through overuse, poor handling, and outside temperature. The suggested safe temperature range for laptops shouldn’t exceed 113ºF (45ºC) or used when outside temperature reaches or exceeds 95ºF (35ºC). Some tips to keep your devices safe from high temperatures include:

• If you’re uncomfortable in the hot temperature, then your devices probably run a high risk of overheating (as do you).
• Avoid leaving your devices in direct sunlight or in a hot car.
• Make sure the laptop vents are clean and have good airflow. This means that you should keep your laptop on a hard surface rather than a soft surface, which can block vents.
• Let your laptop adjust to sudden temperature changes. Turn it off completely before heading somewhere with a drastic climate change and let it adjust to the new temperature before use.
• Use a laptop stand designed to dissipate heat.

The opposite can also cause damage to your devices if they get too cold. Risks include of using your laptop in freezing temperatures are a disabled screen display, shattered screen, and a corrupted hard drive if there’s a sudden temperature change. If you’re working in a cold weather environment, the most important thing to have is a proper carrying case to protect it.

Dust, Ants, Sand, Dirt, and Crumbs

Being constantly on the go means that you’re probably doing a bunch of different things at once while using your laptop. This includes eating and snacking over it leaving crumbs to fall between the cracks. Little ants can also become trapped inside potentially up to damaging antics. Finally, dust and dirt build up slowly over time and need to be cleaned regularly to keep your laptop running. Try some of these tips to clear your laptop’s inner workings:

• Invest in a ruggedized laptop designed to withstand basically anything including drops, extreme temperatures, and small particle intrusion.
• If you don’t need something as heavy duty as a rugged laptop, try a case with a dust filter, which you can buy or make yourself with pantyhose!
• Remove the back of your laptop and hand-wipe meticulously every so often if you don’t have access to compressed air.