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If you just got yourself a laptop, there are a lot of problems that you could run into that may affect the lifespan and functionality of your purchase. Because of their portability, these computers are more prone to abuse: spilt liquids, dropping and impact damage, and changes in environment that may cause errors.

These high-tech pieces of technology are extremely portable, but that doesn't mean that they're made to be used just about anywhere: certain components in most portables may experience excessive wear and tear, and unless they've been "ruggedized," or built to withstand abuse, you'll have to be careful with your usage so that it can last you longer.

A common source of laptop trouble is liquids. Very hot ones (such as coffee) can steam up your portable, causing moisture to condense inside. Cold ones with a lot of ice can cause the same problem, especially sodas. These are especially bad for your unit, as even if you get it dry, there will be a sticky residue that can attract dust and dirt.

While we're talking about condensation, the weather is another factor that can affect the lifespan of your laptop. In regions with high humidity, like Florida or Los Angeles, moisture is especially hard to keep out of your laptop. Take precautionary measures by ising a moisture-proof case and wiping down your comp if you see "sweat" on its surface. If you take it from a very cold area (like your office) to a very hot and high-humidity one, it may fog up with condensation. Wait for your comp to dry before using it to avoid a shorted circuit.

The hard drive of your laptop can also be damaged from wear and tear- when it's turned on, it spins up. Moving it around while it's on can cause your hard drive to crash- if you can't turn off your comp before putting it away and moving it around, at least put it in sleep mode, or even better, in hibernate. In these modes, the hard drive is powered down, and is safe from damage from excessive motion.

Lastly, don't leave your laptop running while it's on a bed. Putting it on the bed can prevent the heat from escaping from under the unit, letting heat build up. This heat in turn can cause the silicon components to overheat. Do this often enough, and you may shorten the lifespan of your computer by several years.

Your new laptop will need some serious looking after if you want to make the most of your purchase. There are many dangers out there for your portable computer: liquid spillage, high humidity areas like florida and los angeles which can cause moisture to form on delicate components, and hard drive failure because of bad handling before shutdown.