Winter is here and if you are not lucky enough to live in a milder climate, you need to take extra precaution when using your computer. I am sure some of you have left your computer in the cold car overnight. Leaving your computer or iPhone in cold temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time can cause damage. This could be dangerous if extra steps are not taken in the care of your device.
Cold temps affect most batteries as they will lose their charge quicker in the cold. It is not uncommon to see temporary poor battery performance in your computer when using it in colder conditions. Once you resume working in warmer temperatures (approximately 50-90° Fahrenheit) you should have normal performance. But why? Due to higher internal impedance, the external temperature affects the battery’s ability to create the chemical reactions to produce a charge. Short term this does not have lasting damage, but if you use your computer in the cold on a regular basis you will start to see long term poor battery performance.
Poor battery performance is only a minor effect of extreme cold exposure. Condensation can cause liquid damage. We’ve all seen someone who wears glasses come in from cold temperatures and have their glasses immediately fog up. That’s essentially what could be happening inside your computer. If your computer warms up too quickly it can trigger the LCI or liquid contact indicators within your computer to signal your computer has been exposed to water and, if you don’t have AppleCare+, potentially a costly repair. So what do you do? If bringing your Mac in from an overnight stay in the cold, let the machine sit for at least 30 min before powering on. This should prevent any condensation issues and allow your computer to gradually adjust back to the warmer indoor temperatures.