Poll: Using A Laptop Outside
Now that summer is finally upon us, the urge to go outside and be in the sun is a constant one. Portable computers and wireless networks allow us the ability to work almost anywhere. The problem is that most notebooks don't fare too well in extremely bright conditions. I have received several emails asking me what computers have the best screens for sunlight. In fact, I have yet to really find a laptop PC that had a screen that I could effectively use in direct sunlight.
Because of this, I decided to ask my readers if they actually do use their notebooks outside in the sunlight. Let me and others know if you are able to effectively use your laptop in the great bright outdoors. Also, if you have a notebook PC that you find the screen is good or bad, feel free to leave a comment about what notebook you have tried and how the screen fares in sunlight.
Do you use your notebook computer outside in bright sunlight?
Comments
I’m impressed with the people who like to tan while working. Every time I’ve tried with my PowerBook the glare has given me such a migraine that I’ve retreated inside after just a few minutes.
I’ve tried, but it is just too hard to see the screen outdoors, even in the shade. It’s tolerable while RV’ing if you sit under the canopy roof, but you don’t get much of a tan that way. I do use my Axim PDA outdoors all the time, but the screen is much smaller so it’s easier to shade it from the glare.
I prefer to design outdoors if I can…only problem is round about ths time I hae to stop due to hay fever!!
My tiny Sony Vaio PCG-481 can easily be carried around with one hand like a paperback book. I love it; however, it is impossible to see anything on the screen outdoors. Even in the shade, the text and cursor are hardly visible. I’m anxious to upgrade someday to one that I can use outside. Hasn’t modern technology invented one yet? Siusann
I use a Lenovo (IBM) Z61t outside quite often (now actually). I sit at a table with one of those large market umbrellas and stay in the shade and wear a baseball cap pulled low to shade my eyes and no sunglasses. There is still glare but I can see well enough to put in 5 or more hours of work.
What do police officers use to be able to see their screens in their cars during the day? We recently took a 10 hour road trip and I took my laptop to pass some time and couldn’t see the screen during the day in the car.