Why are MacBooks susceptible to water damage? Humidity/Sweat

[jordysak]

I’ve read all sorts of scenarios and so many people regretted not having apple care. As of now, I don’t have the budget to afford apple care so I’m even more paranoid. Until I have some sort of insurance policy, I get very worried.
How can humidity/sweat water damage a MacBook?

It gets very hot/humid in my bed during night-time (I sweat) under the blankets and whenever I get up from the bed I do it from the right side (the side where I put the MacBook) by lifting the blanket. The fan is also pushing the hot humid air from under the blankets towards the MacBook. Risk of water damage? The MacBook also has ports for the fans, through which ‘water vapour’ could enter.

I’ll attach an image to better explain the scene. Please find it below (and apologies for the bad drawing), but is this completely fine or am I putting my MacBook in risk of water damage?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Any open electronic is susceptible to moisture damage. However, your body (in and of itself) is not going to produce enough humidity in the room to create a high moisture problem for your Mac.

 

[jordysak]

Any open electronic is susceptible to moisture damage. However, your body (in and of itself) is not going to produce enough humidity in the room to create a high moisture problem for your Mac.

Oh this is definitely relieving; however under the blankets it gets very sweaty (hence humid) and isn’t that water vapour? Then all that humidity is pushed towards the MacBook as I lift the blanket (also pushed by the fan pushing in that direction)..
so there’s nothing to worry about?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Oh this is definitely relieving; however under the blankets it gets very sweaty (hence humid) and isn’t that water vapour? Then all that humidity is pushed towards the MacBook as I lift the blanket (also pushed by the fan pushing in that direction)..
so there’s nothing to worry about?

Your body puts out the same amount of heat as a 100w light bulb. That is it. That is not enough to create a tropical rainforest humidity rain cloud in your room.

 

[jordysak]

Your body puts out the same amount of heat as a 100w lgh

I really do appreciate your replies and your help in clarifying this worry. The only reason why I was worried is because all this body heat, although low, becomes sweat as it’s entrapped under the blankets for hours, im assuming the humidity and water vapour under the blankets is much higher than the rest of the room for the mere fact that the body is sweating constantly and producing enough water vapour over time, which is then released as I lift the blanket. This going towards the MacBook is what worries me and surely reading stories of other people damaging the MacBook via humidity is not helping.. also I must say, the blanket is VERY heavy so it does a good job in entrapping humidity, and body sweat.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I really do appreciate your replies and your help in clarifying this worry. The only reason why I was worried is because all this body heat, although low, becomes sweat as it’s entrapped under the blankets for hours, im assuming the humidity and water vapour under the blankets is much higher than the rest of the room for the mere fact that the body is sweating constantly and producing enough water vapour over time, which is then released as I lift the blanket. This going towards the MacBook is what worries me and surely reading stories of other people damaging the MacBook via humidity is not helping.. also I must say, the blanket is VERY heavy so it does a good job in entrapping humidity, and body sweat.

You can stop worrying about this particular question.

 

[Longkeg]

You can stop worrying about this particular question.

Seriously, you worry way too much. It’s not healthy. Try to lighten up!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Seriously, you worry way too much. It’s not healthy. Try to lighten up!

You meant to quote the OP.

 

[Longkeg]

You meant to quote the OP.

You’re right but you get the idea.

 

[jordysak]

Seriously, you worry way too much. It’s not healthy. Try to lighten up!

I agree, but you know the circumstances seemed perfect to allow all the water vapour/sweat/humidity from under the blankets into the MacBook via the vent ports.. and I still don’t see why it wouldn’t, but at least this thread helped with useful information and kind replies

 

[glenthompson]

Apple says that non-condensing humidity of 0-95% is ok. They also say to keep the ambient temperature at 50-95 F. I consider a bed a bad place for laptops as the covers can block vents. For reading in bed I use my iPad.

 

[jordysak]

Apple says that non-condensing humidity of 0-95% is ok. They also say to keep the ambient temperature at 50-95 F. I consider a bed a bad place for laptops as the covers can block vents. For reading in bed I use my iPad.

Would you consider the sweat/humidity built up under the blankets as non-condensing? I mean, when the heavy blankets are removed there is a whole cloud of high humid air that is released. But would that be condensing or non condensing?

 

[trevpimp]

Accidents and damages happen to MacBooks all the time

It all depends how the owner takes care of his her own. I have a laptop sleeve with microfiber interior and I make sure the sleeve is thick enough to protect my Mac from dings and dents. I also leave the MacBook on my bed, I don't leave or take it anywhere else. It doesn't enter the kitchen, living room unless I give it all attention, I don't leave it anywhere I will not be there. It stays on my bed until I get a computer desk to keep it there.

The more you take care of your stuff the more your Mac will last.

Ps I go through so many technologies for years to leave it in its pristine condition I first had when I bought it

 

[Apple_Robert]

Would you consider the sweat/humidity built up under the blankets as non-condensing? I mean, when the heavy blankets are removed there is a whole cloud of high humid air that is released. But would that be condensing or non condensing?

You aren't sleeping with the Mac in the bed are you? If you aren't, what I said earlier still applies.

 

[jordysak]

You aren't sleeping with the Mac in the bed are you? If you aren't, what I said earlier still applies.

In the drawing I attached you can see that it’s as if the MacBook was on the bed, as the distance from the bed and the bed-side table where I had placed the MacBook, is not more than 10 cm. Are there any diagnostics I can run to check for water damage?

 

[Apple_Robert]

In the drawing I attached you can see that it’s as if the MacBook was on the bed, as the distance from the bed and the bed-side table where I had placed the MacBook, is not more than 10 cm. Are there any diagnostics I can run to check for water damage?

The humidity from under the bed covers is not going to fill up the room even when you pull the covers back to get out of bed etc. Keep the Mac out of the bed and you will be fine.

 

[glenthompson]

Would you consider the sweat/humidity built up under the blankets as non-condensing? I mean, when the heavy blankets are removed there is a whole cloud of high humid air that is released. But would that be condensing or non condensing?

You typically see condensation when moving a cool item into a warm, moist room. Think coming inside on a cold winter day and your glasses fog up. That type situation could be bad for your Mac, particularly if you try to use it immediately. In your bedroom situation there’s little chance of that type condensation.

 

[Boyd01]

Regardless of any real risk, since you're concerned about this, why not just put your Mac farther from your bed at the end of the day? Then you can get a good night's sleep without worrying.

 

[TiggrToo]

I’d never ever sleep with ANY device on the bed.

Nothing to do with humidity but everything to do with it’s a terrible idea. Beds are for sleeping in. Put the device on the floor, table etc.

Better still, don’t even have it in the room - your sleep will thank you.