Protecting Your Refurbished Laptop: All-Weather Tips from the give IT. get IT. Team

At give IT. get IT. in Waterville, Maine, we believe everyone deserves access to reliable, affordable technology. Every refurbished laptop we place in someone’s hands represents a second chance—not just for the device but often also for its new owner.

Maine’s weather, however, doesn’t always cooperate. The elements can be harsh on electronics, from bitter winters and humid summers to damp spring mornings and sudden downpours. Whether your refurbished laptop is a lifeline for work, school, or staying connected, it’s worth taking a few extra steps to protect it.

Here are our top tips to keep your refurbished device running strong through all four seasons:

Guarding Against Summer Heat

High temperatures can stress internal components and shorten your battery’s life—especially in older devices. It will also harden the paste that protects the CPU from heat. High heat will deteriorate that paste and kill your laptop beyond fixing.

What to do:

• Never leave your laptop in a hot car. Temps can climb over 100°F in minutes.
• Use it on flat, hard surfaces to avoid blocking ventilation.
• Consider a cooling pad if you use your laptop for extended periods.

Learn more from Microsoft’s guide on keeping your laptop cool.

Winter Weather Warnings

Cold weather can cause your battery to perform poorly and LCD screens to become sluggish or crack if powered on too quickly.

What to do:

• Let your laptop warm up to room temperature before turning it on if it’s been in a cold car or backpack.
• Use a padded, insulated case when traveling in freezing weather.
• Avoid outdoor use in temps below 50 Degrees Fahrenheit.

Check out Tech Review Advisor’s cold weather protection tips.

Protecting Against Moisture and Humidity

Humidity and water are major enemies of any laptop.

What to do:

• Use a waterproof laptop bag when walking or commuting in rainy, hot, or snowy conditions.
• Don’t use your laptop near sinks or in steamy rooms.
• Do not add a silicone keyboard cover to guard against spills or crumbs. It traps moisture and can destroy the cooling fans.
• Food stuck under the keyboard or liquid spilled onto the keyboard is the number one failure issue we see. Keep liquids and your snacks away from your laptop.

Read Make Use Of’s guide to moisture protection.

Year-Round Best Practices

• Back up your files. A freak accident or power surge can damage even the most reliable tech.
• Use cloud storage or an external drive to keep your data safe.
• Power down when traveling. ALWAYS fully shut down your laptop before transporting it anywhere or before putting it in a carry case – laptops in sleep/standby are still running, are easy to forget which results in completely draining the battery/ overheating AND potentially locking up the battery as it tries to protect itself.This is especially helpful if you’re heading indoors from the cold or moving through humid conditions.
• Treat it like the valuable tool it is. Just because it’s refurbished doesn’t mean it’s disposable!

From Our Team to Yours

Every refurbished laptop from give IT. get IT. is wiped, cleaned, tested, and prepared for a fresh start. With a little care, your device can go the distance—saving you money, reducing e-waste, and keeping you connected.

Have questions about protecting your tech or extending its lifespan? Give us a call at (207) 338-4233. We’re here to help you get the most out of your tech.

Stay connected,

—The give IT. get IT. Team