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Would it be fine to let my computer sit for a couple years?
I'm getting a macbook pro today for college, but I was wanting to know something - would it damage the computer at all to let it sit for 2 years?
I'm going to be leaving after this year of college and I cant take my laptop with me. So I was wanting to know how that would affect my mac.
I'm going to be leaving after this year of college and I cant take my laptop with me. So I was wanting to know how that would affect my mac.
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Doesn't make financial sense to store it for two years. There is a possibility of damage or theft, for which you may not be insured. (Plus, at FMV, you won't get the same machine.)
Sell now. Even putting $1000 at simple 2% per year gets you $1040 after 2 years. That same $1400 computer would be worth $700 or less in two years.
Or, it could be dead or stolen.
If you're dead-set on storing it, pack a few desiccant bags with it. You'll find them with electronics, shoes, purses, luggage. The desiccant will absorb any normal amounts of moisture.
Remove the battery. It will be dead by the time you get back to it. Sell it now, while it still has value and life. Otherwise, you'll have to charge it every 30-90 days to keep it viable. Even after 2 years of regular maintenance, it will probably be dead, or at least severely degraded in performance.
Keep the computer in the original box, as this is meant to be stored in a warehouse for up to 6-12 months or longer.
Stuff it in a closet away from external walls or windows to decrease temperature and humidity fluctuations. Temperature is not much of an issue, as long as you keep it above 40F and below 120F, which are standard shipping conditions.
Sell now. Even putting $1000 at simple 2% per year gets you $1040 after 2 years. That same $1400 computer would be worth $700 or less in two years.
Or, it could be dead or stolen.
If you're dead-set on storing it, pack a few desiccant bags with it. You'll find them with electronics, shoes, purses, luggage. The desiccant will absorb any normal amounts of moisture.
Remove the battery. It will be dead by the time you get back to it. Sell it now, while it still has value and life. Otherwise, you'll have to charge it every 30-90 days to keep it viable. Even after 2 years of regular maintenance, it will probably be dead, or at least severely degraded in performance.
Keep the computer in the original box, as this is meant to be stored in a warehouse for up to 6-12 months or longer.
Stuff it in a closet away from external walls or windows to decrease temperature and humidity fluctuations. Temperature is not much of an issue, as long as you keep it above 40F and below 120F, which are standard shipping conditions.
would you not be better to sell the laptop at the end of the year, and use the money to buy a shiny new one in 2 years time?
voted helpful: greggypetty
Voted as best: bbrookin
Hmm... That's true.
I'm planning on using it when I get back and go right back to school though.
I'm planning on using it when I get back and go right back to school though.
Stored in a climate controlled environment it should be fine. Excessive high and low temperature variations can have an impact on the internal components. So if you leave it with someone who will store it indoors for the next two years, you should be all set. Of course, in two years it will be obsolete, but that's a different question. ;-)
source(s):
Personal experience, A+ Certified Tech
Personal experience, A+ Certified Tech
If you plan on leaving it sit for a long period of time, you should be fine as long as it is in a temperature controlled low-dust enviroment. All you really need to do is put it back into its original box and put the box in a closet in your house. Make sure it doesn't get wet or too dusty and it should be fine. However, as software evolves, you will probably notice that it won't be as fast in 2 years. If you already know you won't be using it for awhile, it is probably best to hold off on the purchase.
If you do decide to store it for several years, make sure that when you start using it again that you blow any dust it may have off of it. Also use compressed air to clean out the inside of the laptop. Then update all of your programs, especiall anti-virus, before you actually start using it again.
If you do decide to store it for several years, make sure that when you start using it again that you blow any dust it may have off of it. Also use compressed air to clean out the inside of the laptop. Then update all of your programs, especiall anti-virus, before you actually start using it again.
If my computers last me 11+ years being used I'm sure they'll be just fine sitting around for just as long.
A computer is amazingly inert in storage... as long as it doesn't get wet or extremely hot in the meantime it'll be alright.
A computer is amazingly inert in storage... as long as it doesn't get wet or extremely hot in the meantime it'll be alright.
Apple recommends keeping your battery charge at 50% if you're not going to use your computer for a long time.
--quote--
If you don’t plan on using your notebook for more than six months, Apple recommends that you store the battery with a 50% charge. If you store a battery when it’s fully discharged, it could fall into a deep discharge state, which renders it incapable of holding any charge. Conversely, if you store it fully charged for an extended period of time, the battery may experience some loss of battery capacity, meaning it will have a shorter life.
--/quote--
( from http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html )
A couple of years is a long time, though. You *may* need to buy another battery when you start using it again (or, it might not hold as much of a charge as it does today).
--quote--
If you don’t plan on using your notebook for more than six months, Apple recommends that you store the battery with a 50% charge. If you store a battery when it’s fully discharged, it could fall into a deep discharge state, which renders it incapable of holding any charge. Conversely, if you store it fully charged for an extended period of time, the battery may experience some loss of battery capacity, meaning it will have a shorter life.
--/quote--
( from http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html )
A couple of years is a long time, though. You *may* need to buy another battery when you start using it again (or, it might not hold as much of a charge as it does today).
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