What Are the Dangers of Laptop Computers?

What Are the Dangers of Laptop Computers?

Although laptop computers can be very convenient, they do in fact have inherent risks. Their ease of use and portability are actually one of the reasons that they are riskier than desktop computers. Laptop computers can be a financial risk, can introduce health concerns, and can be a risk to your personal data.
Health concerns
Laptop computers get pretty warm. Frequently users will sit with their laptops literally on their laps. Claims have been made that the heat from the laptops causes male sperm counts to lower. This argument has gone on for years, but reliable experimentation has yet to be done to confirm it. In addition, laptop computers have a keyboard that is very small compared to some of the ergonomic keyboards that are used for desktop computers. This keyboard may be in a bad position relative to the screen and may cause a hunched posture that strains muscles, as well as forcing the wrists into unnatural positions that may or may not cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Lastly, laptop batteries have been known to overheat and explode. Any explosion in your lap cannot possibly be good.
Financial Risks:
Laptop computers have very little flexibility in terms of upgradeability. Although the RAM can be upgraded fairly easily, the hard drives are more difficult, and the processor is more difficult still. The video cards, screens, sound cards, keyboards, etc., are completely incapable of being upgraded without an external device. So in order to upgrade your laptop, you usually need to buy a new one.

This also is true when an irreplaceable component fails. And finally, laptops tend to have failing parts. Their batteries are exposed to high heat and repeated discharges and need to be replaced periodically. The very nature of portable computers means that they are moved around quite a bit. This wear and tear causes premature failure of the machine.
Data Security:
It is not uncommon for laptops to get stolen. Not only does this add to the financial risks of ownership, but now your data is out there. It doesn't matter how strong your password is, if you have a fingerprint scanner, or if you have LoJack. Once your computer is stolen, hackers can get into your data. Furthermore, laptops are generally taken to places with Wi-Fi hotspots in order to access the Internet. The problem is that hackers look for areas with large groups of wireless computers such as Wi-Fi hotspots in order to launch their attacks. In addition to stealing private data, they can use your computer to launch attacks against other computers.