Is Your Laptop Tough Enough to Survive a Drop?
Laptops have become indispensable tools for work, school, and entertainment. But their portability also makes them prone to getting dropped, either accidentally or from mishandling. When a laptop takes a tumble, it can lead to costly damages. According to Secure Data Recovery, laptop drops account for nearly half of all laptop damages.
In this article, we’ll explore the key factors that determine if a dropped laptop survives impact. We’ll look at the most common damages laptops sustain from drops, like cracked screens and broken hinges. We’ll also provide tips on protecting your device from drops through cases, proper handling, and preventative maintenance. Finally, we’ll walk through assessing the damage after a fall, determining if DIY repairs are feasible or if professional help is needed, and steps for recovering lost data.
Read on to learn what happens when a laptop meets the floor and how to minimize the impacts.
Factors That Determine Damage
Several key factors play a role in determining the extent of damage when a laptop is dropped:
Drop height – The higher the drop, the greater the impact force when the laptop hits the ground. Drops from greater heights increase the chance of internal component damage (source).
Surface landed on – Hard surfaces like concrete can cause more damage than carpeted floors. Impacts on uneven or jagged surfaces also tend to be worse (source).
Part of laptop hit – Drops on the corner or edge of a laptop concentrate force and are more likely to cause cracks than flat drops. Screen-first impacts often crack displays (source).
Laptop construction – Sturdier laptops with metal or reinforced bodies tend to withstand drops better than plastic models. Thinner, lighter laptops are generally more susceptible to damage (source).
Common Damages from Drops
There are several types of damage that commonly occur when a laptop is dropped. One of the most frequent is a cracked screen. According to ElectronicFix, screens are particularly vulnerable to cracks and breaks when dropped since they are made of glass and are on the outer shell of the laptop.
Drops can also damage ports if the laptop lands at an angle. The ports most susceptible to damage are ones located on the sides, like USB ports, HDMI ports, and power ports. If the force of the drop pushes the port inwards, it can ruin the port or disconnect it from the motherboard.
Another common source of damage from drops is to the hard drive. If the laptop is running when dropped, the sudden motion can damage internal components like the hard drive. CoreManaged notes that hard drives can fail immediately or slowly degrade after a drop, leading to crashes or data loss.
Finally, drops almost always cause cosmetic damage like dents, scratches, and cracked plastic casing. The edges and corners of a laptop are the most prone to scratches and dents when dropped on a hard surface. While cosmetic damage may not prevent a laptop from functioning, it can worsen over time.
Protecting Against Drops
One of the best ways to protect your laptop against drops is to use protective cases and sleeves. A padded laptop sleeve or case can help cushion your laptop and absorb some of the impact from a fall. Cases made of materials like neoprene foam or microfiber offer padding while remaining slim and portable.
According to Best Buy, “A snug-fitting sleeve is a simple and affordable way to prevent scratches and dings to your laptop’s case while traveling.” They recommend neoprene sleeves for sturdy yet lightweight protection. Thicker cases with more padding tend to provide better drop protection.
Proper handling and storage are also important for protecting against drops. Avoid moving your laptop around while it’s open and don’t pick it up by the screen. Store your laptop in a secure place like a laptop bag when traveling. According to Yellowstone Computing, “Don’t leave it casually sitting on the couch or balancing on the armrest of a chair.” Keeping your laptop properly protected will help prevent accidental drops.
Assessing the Damage
After a laptop is dropped, the first step is to do a visual inspection for any obvious signs of physical damage. Look for cracks, dents, or scratches on the exterior case, hinges, ports, buttons, and screen (Signs of Damage From Dropping a Computer). The screen is particularly vulnerable to cracks from impact.
Next, test all the components to see if they are still fully functional. Turn on the laptop and check that the screen powers on and displays properly, without any flickering, lines, dead pixels, or discoloration which could indicate damage. Test the keyboard, trackpad, webcam, speakers, microphone, ports, and battery. Even if there’s no visible exterior damage, drops can sometimes jar interior components loose or damage circuit boards.
Finally, run diagnostic software like the built-in diagnostics on Dell or Lenovo laptops or third-party tools. These can identify hardware issues that basic functional testing misses. They will provide error reports pointing to specific failed or unstable components.
Thoroughly assessing all potential damage right away allows you to determine what repairs may be needed to get the laptop working properly again after a drop.
Repairing Physical Damage
Dropping a laptop can cause various types of physical damage such as cracked screens, broken hinges, and damaged ports. Some of the most common repairs include:
Screen/Case Replacements
Cracked or shattered screens are one of the most frequent laptop damages from drops. Replacing the screen or entire display assembly may be necessary depending on the severity. Cases, covers, and bezels can also crack or break, requiring replacement of these components. According to one Reddit user, after dropping their laptop, they immediately checked for performance issues and physical damage to determine if any repairs were needed (source).
Port Repairs
Ports like the power jack, USB, HDMI, or ethernet can become dislodged or break from the impact of a drop. This may require soldering work to reattach ports or full replacement of the motherboard. As one repair site notes, a broken power jack can instantly prevent a laptop from turning on, making port repairs a priority (source).
Recovering Data
If the laptop is completely dead and won’t turn on, recovering the data can be challenging but is often still possible. There are two main approaches:
Removing the Hard Drive: If the laptop won’t power on at all, one option is to physically remove the hard drive and connect it to another computer using a USB hard drive adapter. This allows you to access the data directly like an external hard drive. However, this risks further damage if not done properly.
Refer to WikiHow’s guide for step-by-step instructions on safely removing the drive.
Using Recovery Software: Specialized data recovery software can sometimes read data from a failed drive. Software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard provides a user-friendly interface for recovering files. The software scans the drive and attempts to reconstruct files that were lost or corrupted.
As recommended by EaseUS, connect the laptop’s drive to another computer via USB adapter or enclosure to use the software. Be sure not to overwrite the drive before recovery.
When to Replace vs Repair
When a laptop is damaged from being dropped, an important consideration is whether to repair it or replace it. There are two main factors to analyze when making this decision:
Cost Analysis
You’ll need to compare the cost of repairs versus the cost of purchasing a new laptop. Minor issues like a cracked screen or case damage may be relatively inexpensive to fix. According to Asurion, screen replacements typically cost $100-300 depending on the laptop model.
However, more extensive damage like a broken motherboard could require over $500 in repairs. At that point, you may want to consider putting that money towards a new laptop, especially if yours was already outdated. Upgrading may be better than pouring money into an old machine.
Extent of Damage
The more components that are affected, the less viable repair becomes. For example, if the screen, keyboard, motherboard, and case are all damaged in the drop, repair costs will quickly add up and likely exceed the laptop’s value. As one Redditor advised, once repairs approach the price of a new laptop, it’s better to replace.
However, if only one or two components are damaged, repair may be worthwhile, especially if the laptop still meets your performance needs. Just be sure to analyze the cost-effectiveness.
Preventing Future Damage
There are several steps you can take to prevent damage the next time you accidentally drop your laptop. Improving your handling habits is crucial. Be sure to always carry your laptop with two hands and keep it closed when transporting it. Avoid moving it around while it is powered on. Routinely backing up your data is also important to avoid losing files if physical damage does occur. Consider using an automated cloud backup service or regularly saving copies to an external hard drive. You can also take protective measures like using a padded laptop bag or sleeve when traveling. Some cases are heavily padded and designed to absorb shock if dropped. An affordable option is to apply a protective skin or decal on areas prone to scuffs like the corners. Screen protectors can also prevent cracks and chips if the screen impacts a surface. With improved handling habits, routine backups, and some protective accessories you can avoid extensive repairs or data loss next time you drop your laptop.
Conclusion
Laptops can certainly survive being dropped, but the extent of the damage depends on several factors. Key points that determine damage include the drop height, surface type, laptop construction, and angle of impact. While drops can cause cosmetic damage like dents and scratches, more concerning is internal component damage that can impair function. Common internal damages include disconnected cables, cracked screens, and damaged hard drives.
To protect against drops, use laptop bags for transport and avoid precarious placement on edges. If a drop does occur, check for physical damage and try to power on the laptop to test functionality. Repairs may be needed for dents, broken hinges, or screen replacement. Recovering data from a damaged hard drive and determining when to repair vs replace a laptop were also covered. With proper handling and protective equipment, laptops can better survive inevitable drops.
In summary, while no laptop is invincible, being mindful of these tips can help minimize both the likelihood and extent of damage from drops. Handle your device carefully, but don’t fret too much over an accidental slip. With some basic precautions and prompt repair actions, your laptop can recover from most common drops.