In a fit of gadget lust propped up by rationalization (“it’ll be great for travel!”, “I can use it to play with Linux!”, etc.) I ordered a Samsung NC10 netbook. The FedEx tracking info said that it arrived in the Denver station last night and it was delivered here this afternoon. This means that it traveled through near-zero temperatures yesterday, sat overnight in an unheated depot, and then rode around in an unheated delivery truck most of the day while the temperature stayed well below freezing.
This treatment in itself is unlikely to harm a computer, but it is prudent to let it come up to normal room temperature before turning it on. The battery is probably cold enough that it won’t produce any electricity to speak of and shouldn’t be charged. The LCD might not work right. The most significant potential problem, though, is that water might condense on the metal surfaces inside the case, even in Boulder’s relatively low humidity.
So, my new toy is sitting in its box, warming up gradually. Tomorrow morning I’ll take it out of the box and let it sit for a few more hours before turning it on. Yes, I do feel a bit like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.
