Many people use their laptops on a daily basis.  The range of users extends from office workers to stay at home parents to students to anyone else that values the easy handling of a laptop.  A mom with hectic days can move from one room to the next, while students can use them at school and transport them from class to class or even the cafeteria and library.  Regardless of where you need to end up they can make the trip with you and as wireless Internet hotspots are becoming more common the increased use of laptop will become more wide spread.

Because of all the flexibility and mobility that a laptop provides there are increased risks that are not as prevalent with desktop computers.  Similar to cellular phones there is increased risk of loss, theft and physical damage from dropping or water spills.  These types of concerns are not usually covered under a regular warranty.  Damage from liquid spills on the laptop seem to be especially common.

Water damage on your laptop can be a very serious problem.  What you do right after and you quickly you react will play a big role in minimizing the extent of the damage and potential data loss.

It will also depend heavily on the type of laptop you have, because some of them are more susceptible to damage from water spilled on the keyboard than others.  This is not necessarily related to the price of the laptop.  Some portable keyboards have a thin rubber membrane underneath the keys that will help in these situations.  When you are shopping for a laptop, it may be helpful to look for one of these models if you think you might be more accident prone than others.

When you do spill water, juice, coffee or a soft drink on your laptop the first thing you should do is power it off and remove the battery.  The electrical current in the laptop is it’s greatest risk, so unplug it and get that battery out.  Even when the computer is off it will get a small amount of electricity from an available power source, so that is why you want to remove the battery and not just turn it off.

Another popular option is the waterproof laptop case.  Sometimes owners find themselves stuck in the snow or rain and in these circumstances a waterproof case can protect the laptop from water damage.  In addition to preventing water from damaging the laptop, the cases also guard against scratches, dust, shock and other hazards.

Another thing to consider is purchasing adequate insurance.  Specific laptop insurance may not cover water damage, but your home owner’s policy might.  Be sure to talk to your insurance agent about your computer and electronics equipment and add a rider if necessary to be certain that you are adequately protected.

After you have powered down the laptop and removed it from all electricity you should get it repaired and cleaned as soon as possible.  If the liquid spilled on your laptop was corrosive like a cola then it may be doing further damage to your laptop the longer it sits.  So your reaction to a spill is very important when it comes to controlling laptop water damage.  Your best option is to consult with a professional to give yourself the best chances of minimizing the extent of the repair.