Using a Laptop Outdoors: Screens, Heat and Shade Under Your Pergola

Old Black Friday deal lists date quickly. The 2019 prices and models are long gone. What still matters is how any portable computer, gaming or otherwise, copes once you carry it out to the deck, verandah or pergola. Australian outdoor spaces bring their own challenges: strong glare, high summer temperatures, dust and sudden humidity.

Glare and screen choice

Glossy displays that look vivid indoors can become mirrors under a bright sky. A matte screen and high brightness help a lot. So does where you sit. A solid-roofed pergola or verandah gives far more usable shade than open battens or a shade sail, which let light flicker across the display. Sitting with your back to a wall rather than to open sky reduces reflections further.

Heat and ventilation

Gaming laptops run hot even in an air-conditioned room. On a sunny deck, internal temperatures climb fast and the machine may slow itself down to protect its components. Keep the laptop out of direct sun, and use it on a hard, flat table rather than cushions so the vents stay clear. On very hot afternoons it is often better to leave demanding games for the evening.

Power and weather

  • Only use outdoor power outlets that are suited to the location. If you are unsure about wiring, ask a licensed electrician.
  • Keep chargers and cables off damp timber or tiles, and run them where no one will trip.
  • Bring equipment inside before storms. Wind-driven rain reaches further under a verandah roof than most people expect.

If you are planning a covered area partly as a comfortable work or gaming spot, think about roof type, orientation and power early in the design. Our overview of what we cover explains the main structure types. The FAQ answers common planning questions.