Initially targeted at the well heeled and the executives, the prices of laptop & notebook computers have fallen so much they have been made a permanent fixture at tertiary institutions and even some primary and secondary schools. Although laptops are optimised for mobility, their computer power and storage capacities have progressed so much that they are no longer puny.

Some people have got so used to their laptop’s smaller screen and keyboard, that they are using their laptops as a replacement for their desktops. Of course, you can always plug your laptop into a large monitor, a full-sized keyboard, and a mouse. There are even laptop variants with larger screens that is designed specifically to be desktop replacements.

Because laptops use 2.5” hard disk drives instead of the larger 3.5” ones used in desktops, they have smaller capacities. Even so, 100GB laptops are now commonly available with 160GB and higher ones on the horizon, some people can now pack in their entire lives, personal and work-related, into their laptops. An attractive idea because of its convenience, but it is a nightmare waiting to happen.

With the high degree of miniaturisation in laptops, some compromises have to be made. Laptops – particularly the ones with the faster CPUs and graphics engines – run hot. There is simply no space for adequate cooling for more intensive computer work. Also, because of the constant race to increase the power of laptop batteries, mishaps will happen. Batteries, and not just those for laptops, are known to catch fire.

Because of their compact size, laptops are subject to much abuse. Some of the more common one reasons of mishandling include exposure to the elements, dropping onto hard surfaces, moving of the laptop while the hard disk is writing and inadequate or zero protection during transportation. People simply forget or do not know that laptops have large capacity hard disks cramped inside with platters spinning at high speeds below heads at microscopic tolerances. Of course, laptop designs incorporate hardware and software protection against abuse. The staggering fact is however, is that a hard disk will fail eventually and many laptops owners will just accelerate their inevitable breakdown unknowingly.

*a note to owners with new laptops that are still under warranty, Data Recall is able in many cases to recover lost data from your laptops without voiding the warranty.