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Laptops & The Sun? Any Solutions?

by GoGetta
26 replies
Hey Guys,

Ok, if you are in the UK right now, you are probably experiencing similar weather to me, nice warm/hot sunny days! (Probably won't last too long!)

Anyway, my question is:

Obviously, when you take a laptop outside in the sun, you can barely see the screen, but, is there anyway to get around this? Any solutions or sunblocks for laptops you can use that work, so I can work outside without me having to strain my eyes to even see the screen?

I am sure there are warriors here in climates much hotter and sunier than the UK and may work outside, and may have a solution!

Any ideas?

GoGetta
#laptops #solutions #sun
  • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
    Hi GG, are we talking about a glossy screen or a matte screen?

    I can't get along with glossy screens at all -- I only have matte screens, and never have any problems with reflections.
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  • Profile picture of the author GoGetta
    I am not sure? Glossy and Matte screens are new to me? However, my screen is very clear and like a mirror in some cases, so I suspect it is glossy!

    GoGetta
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    • Profile picture of the author Shannon Herod
      I have a Party tent I use when I go to the beach. I am not "in the sun" directly, but I love being able to hear the wave crashing and children playing as I peck along on my keyboard.

      Shannon
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    • Profile picture of the author naonline
      I'm glad you asked this GoGetta. We are even getting sunny weather up here in Scotland. I really want to work in the conservatory but the sun prevents me from doing so.
      Definately a gap in the market for this I think!

      Nick
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  • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
    Like a mirror? Yeah, that sounds like a glossy screen.

    Not sure what to recommend -- one of the reasons I got rid of my MacBook was because of that darned glossy screen!

    If you're feeling flush with money, you could treat yourself to a netbook with a matte screen. If memory serves, the Samsung NC10 has a matte screen and a good-sized (usable) keyboard...

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  • Profile picture of the author jamespitt
    Would very light sunglasses with polarized lenses help - I know they help if you are looking at the glare off the sea?

    I find the best thing is just to stay in the shade - it's just too annoying doing anything else.

    James
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Yes it sure is a gap in the market - one that was filled a LONG time ago. I think you are after screen filters and they have ben around for years and years:

      3M United States - My Workspace - Computer Filters
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    • Profile picture of the author davewebsmith
      Well as a UK cit myself - i strongly believe in not working on sunny days - they are so scarce i can afford to take the 4 days off per year

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      • Profile picture of the author timpears
        Originally Posted by davewebsmith View Post

        Well as a UK cit myself - i strongly believe in not working on sunny days - they are so scarce i can afford to take the 4 days off per year
        I am with Dave. The hell with working if the sun is shining. We had some sun the other day and the wife and I went down to the river with the dog. My wife read, I just sat there and enjoyed the view. Our weather here in the north west of the USa (Washington) is much like that in the UK. We have three days of sun a year, whether we need it or not.
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        Tim Pears

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        • Profile picture of the author NewbiesDiary
          Originally Posted by timpears View Post

          I am with Dave. The hell with working if the sun is shining. We had some sun the other day and the wife and I went down to the river with the dog. My wife read, I just sat there and enjoyed the view. Our weather here in the north west of the USa (Washington) is much like that in the UK. We have three days of sun a year, whether we need it or not.
          oo ooo is that where Forks is?? am I showing my true lameness here :rolleyes:

          I think what's needed is an umbrella - you know like the one's for drinks only bigger, we have em here on our hats - and we have tinnies (beer cans) connected to 'em too - so maybe grab the umbrolly of one of them.

          I have a mental image of a laptop with it's own little umbrella attached - very sad really
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  • Profile picture of the author petr_ind
    I think it's difficult, when you can get rid the reflection, you will see that monitor is dark so it is difficult to look on the monitor. Maybe you can try to maximize the brightness and contrast.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marty S
    I recently bought a new MacBookPro with anti-glare screen because I had the same problem you did. Haven't seen anything work as good outside unless you compare to an Amazon Kindle screen.
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  • Profile picture of the author KarlWarren
    The majority of the reflection from the sun is actually glare, try wearing sunglasses and that could help you see the screen better. Alternately, you could fold some cardboard so it forms a shade around the top of your screen - not pretty but it would work.
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  • Profile picture of the author GoGetta
    Cool, Ill try some of these options!

    John - I am actually in the market for a netbook. One that is as good as a normal laptop but smaller. Any ideas anyone?

    I had a look at the Acer Timeline, anyone else got one of these?

    GoGetta
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    • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
      Originally Posted by GoGetta View Post

      John - I am actually in the market for a netbook. One that is as good as a normal laptop but smaller. Any ideas anyone?
      Whenever I walk into Staples or Dixons, they always have 5 or 6 on display that you see first hand and play with. The Samsung is the one I was most impressed with because of the matte screen and the very usefully-sized keyboard.
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  • Profile picture of the author CliveG
    I get up early and work. Then enjoy the sun for two or three hours and then work again in the afternoon. Laptop on the beach. No way!
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  • Profile picture of the author eQuus
    It's not just glare but the sheer amount of light all around you. Anyway, anti-glare screens for laptop are available online and affordable. Just search for "anti-glare screens for laptops."
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  • Profile picture of the author mark eastley
    I turn one of those plastic storage boxes you can buy in B&Q on its side and put the laptop in there - its a perfect fit. If you make sure the sun isn't behind you it eliminates most of the glare. I'm using this hi-tech device as I type...

    Cheers,
    ~Mark~
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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Originally Posted by mark eastley View Post

      I turn one of those plastic storage boxes you can buy in B&Q on its side and put the laptop in there - its a perfect fit.
      I feel a visit to Homebase coming on!

      I recently bought a new laptop with an LED screen instead of an LCD screen. It's an Acer Aspire.

      I find, sitting in the shade, that it is bright enough to use. My last laptop was totally unreadable outside.
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  • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
    Originally Posted by GoGetta View Post

    Hey Guys,

    Ok, if you are in the UK right now, you are probably experiencing similar weather to me, nice warm/hot sunny days! (Probably won't last too long!)

    Anyway, my question is:

    Obviously, when you take a laptop outside in the sun, you can barely see the screen, but, is there anyway to get around this? Any solutions or sunblocks for laptops you can use that work, so I can work outside without me having to strain my eyes to even see the screen?

    I am sure there are warriors here in climates much hotter and sunier than the UK and may work outside, and may have a solution!

    Any ideas?

    GoGetta
    Darn sun. What nerve....lol

    I was actually wondering the exact same thing My laptop screen (dell) is near impossible to see in the glaring sun
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  • Profile picture of the author Melanie Crouse
    I have a matte screen and it's really not glare that causes the problem for me. It is just that it is so darned bright outside that the screen appears very very dark. I would like to find a solution for this too.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Only go outside at night and you should be fine.
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