Can shower steam hurt laptop?

My daughter has recently started taking her laptop into the bathroom when she showers so she can listen to the music she has stored on the laptop. She says she places it far enough away from the tub to avoid any water accidentally spashing on it. My question is, however, can the exposure to the steam of the shower do any harm to the laptop?

 

Bucksone

I have two thoughts.
#1 Save the Computer from the dampness.
#2 Save water by more than likely the daughter getting out of the shower quicker.

Also. When you are in there yourself take a look and I believe you may well see the mirrors steamed up.

That should be "Nuff said. "

But the answer to your question about damage. YES. YES. YES. !!! Very possible.

BillyBob

PS.
And addded thought.
I believe the PC may have fans running in it. IF that is true then the moist air IS NOT going to be good for it.

BB

 

Steamy room and computers ... just not a good combination.
For the very short term, keep the computer as close to the floor as possible (steam rises). For the long term, have her burn some CD's and check out the following ... Waterproof CD Players
If possible, try to find a player which can play MP3's / WMA file types. This would allow your daughter to have approximately 200 songs on (1) CD disk. Should keep her dancing in the rain, I mean shower all day long.

 

Ah-ha! You have a teenage daughter! Somewhere in the 15-17 year range I'd say simply by the nature of the request.

I've gotten very similar requests from one of my two teen stepdaughters. Her requests have no basis in "reality" but unfortunately my stepchild has no foundation of experience when it comes to "reality" or the consequences of one's actions on very expensive objects. I've often thought that this phenomenon was limited to my stepdaughter but people tell me otherwise.

I live with three women: my wife and two teen stepdaughters. Part of my job is to instill in them, a basic understanding of technology and computers. Being a PC geek, I try to expose them to a good amount of technology and ways that we can successfully co-exist with it. They know that I am the "technology master" in the house and if they make a technology-related request that I find to be utterly ridiculous, they will be mocked and I will unabashedly laugh at them - in a very good-natured way. Most times, it doesn't come down to that. If, when they start talking to me about the request, I start giving them incredibly quizzical looks they know they are "going down the wrong path ". "NO, you can't put your laptop at the side of the pool and use it while you're swimming! "

It may sound mean but it's not. I'm dealing with three immensely self-confident "women" and I'm instilling in them the desire to become familiar with technology and to respect it. Taking the "nice guy" approach would be useless given the level of self-confidence/stubbornness these girls have.

It may be a little motivation by guilt but it has worked very well - and resulted in some side-splitting stories along the way!

Sorry for the OT rant but your post hit a nerve in that it's so similar to what I've experienced. But to get back to your question, plain and simple, running a laptop in room with a shower going is a recipe for disaster or at least, will shorten the life of certain laptop components.

Gary

 

If enough moisture gathers and causes water droplets to run down the display screen, then it could come in contact with the wiring and cause a short.

I've heard of that happing before.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback. The guy who actually paid for the laptop (me) has officially spoken. The laptop will no longer enter the bathroom. If she wants to sing in the shower, she can sing a cappella. She's a music education major in college, so it will be good practice for her on her summer break!

Thanks again.

 

Hold on Dad - there's a compromise that deserves consideration. Shift her to a tub bath and let her bring the laptop into the bathroom after the water has been drawn and any traces of steam have dissipated. This may also benefit her singing as a sitting position vs standing will promote better breathing techniques.

Oh for the challenges a father faces - whats a guy to do? Lets hope she loses that idea of sticking with the shower and bringing a live band into the bathroom.



edit: all kidding aside, here's what your daughter needs to keep you both happy.