Protect Your Family from EMF Pollution

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How to Use a Computer Safely

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There are simple, effective steps that you can take to reduce your EMF exposure while on a laptop computer. The following are the steps you can take.

Image 1: What To Avoid When Computing

The typical way that laptop computers are used. There are a few things that are wrong with this picture:

  • The laptop is connected to the internet using Wi-Fi, instead of an ethernet connection.
  • The computer is plugged in, rather than utilizing battery power (higher electric field).
  • The user must place their hands on the keyboard, where there is a high EMF field.
  • The computer is not grounded.

Image 2: Simple Steps for Safer Computing

How a laptop computer can be used more safely. Utilizing these methods, headaches and fatigue should diminish and you can be on the computer much longer without negative health effects:

 

  • The “Airport” or wireless functions are turned off so that the computer is not sending out bursts of microwave radiation to search for a wireless router (usually every 10-15 seconds).
  • The computer is running on battery power – not plugged in (much lower electric field is created).
  • The Ethernet connection to the laptop is grounded (not necessarily the user). Your can read how in this article.
  • With an external keyboard and mouse, you can place your laptop on some books or a Roost laptop stand so that you have proper ergonomics (not looking down all day).
  • The actual computer is farther away from your body, which reduces the amount of EMF pollution that your body/brain is exposed to. Distance is your friend with laptops and all EMFs.
  • If you are electrically sensitive, then utilize some of the advanced steps listed in this article.

Conclusion:

By taking a few inexpensive and simple steps, you can utilize all the benefits of technology while also keeping your health for many years to come.

If you have any questions on creating a low EMF computing system in your home, please reach out to me.

Thank you,

Jeromy

Originally published February 2014. Updated November 2023

Disclosure: EMF Analysis is partly supported by a small commission for purchases made through some product links on this page. This income enables me to continue to research and write about this important topic. Thank you for supporting my work.


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  1. Hello Jeromy,

    Thanks for making this website so helpful. I particularly note your intelligent use of gray areas that lead to reduction rather than elimination and your focus on helpful suggestions.

    Best,

    Dane

    Reply

  2. Where do I buy A Defender Pad that is placed over the computer, which shields much of the EMF. The ones I found go under the laptop.

    Reply

  3. Hi Jeromy

    Excellent information, thank you.

    Have you been able to measure the reduction in EMF that the defender-pad provides?

    I have seen a transparent screen shield advertised, do you have an opinion on these and their effectiveness?

    Regards

    Reply

    • Hi Geoff,

      Indeed, I have measured the Defender Pad with my own instruments. I also trust Daniel – the inventor of it. He was an engineer at Bell Labs for decades. He has done very extensive testing of this product (it’s something I use daily).

      I have found that the Defender Pad greatly reduces magnetic and electric fields. It will also reduce microwave radiation (for the part of your body shielded from your computer’s Wi-Fi antenna by the Defender Pad). Microwave Radiation typically goes in 360 degrees, so if the pad is underneath the computer then your lap is shielded. However, in this case, your upper body is being exposed.

      This is why I still don’t recommend using Wi-Fi (use ethernet for internet connections).

      I have tried the screens for computer monitors. I found that the resolution became too grainy and I couldn’t see the text on the monitor. A better solution for me is using an older monitor (3-5 years old), rather than the new monitors that give me headaches more often.

      Jeromy

      Reply

  4. Thanks Jeromy, much appreciated.

    Unfortunately I am now at the stage where I cannot tolerate any microwave radiation, Wi-Fi, mobile, broadband etc. life has become a complete nightmare!

    Now I realise I am struggling with low level emf fields also, hence the Defender Pad question to try and reduce magnetic and electric fields from my Ethernet connected laptop.

    Kind regards
    Geoff

    Reply

    • Sorry to hear Geoff. Unfortunately, your situation is becoming all too common.

      The electric and magnetic fields can actually be the most important EMFs to avoid. And, once we become sensitized to one type of EMF, we often begin to notice others.

      The most important thing is that your home has low EMF levels. If you can create this, then your overall EMF sensitivity should diminish. Read this page for more:

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/measuring-your-home/

      Reply

  5. Hi Jeromy

    Thanks for pointing me to the home measuring info…

    I have purchased a Defenderpad and a new ELF PF4 Meter…

    I have set up my laptop in the way you have suggested.

    When I measure the magnetic fields I can see the defender pad (which is placed above the keyboard as per your article) significantly reduces the magnetic field reading however the electric field is not reduced at all! any suggestions?

    Additionally I have noticed high electric field readings when measuring near my wired keyboard and mouse (the same as next to the laptop!). Am I doing something wrong if the high electric field current is transmitting through to my wired keyboard/mouse?

    Kind regards

    Geoff

    Reply

    • Hi Geoff,

      Did you ground your laptop with a USB printer cord attached to a grounded gator clip? This should reduce the electric fields. Also, I assume you don’t have your laptop plugged in when you are measuring. This will typically increase the electric fields.

      Electric fields will transmit through unshielded ethernet cords. I recommend that you use Cat7 shielded ethernet cables. They are more expensive, but worth it.

      Keep me posted.

      Jeromy

      Reply

  6. Thanks for all this information, its really helping my understanding, much appreciated.

    What type of grounding cord would I need to run outside and where would it attach to laptop?

    I now have a Cat7 Ethernet cable (which is supposed to be well screened) however the new Cat7 cable still measures 700V/m (as did my old Ethernet cable!) Laptop also measure 700V/m, with keyboard at 500V/m and mouse 350 V/m. I measured near the router and this is 1000V/m (with wireless function switched off of course!)

    I am being exposed to 700V/m no wonder I am feeling ‘wiped out’!!

    When I remove the Ethernet cable and only battery powered the laptop/keyboard etc. is only 150 V/m, Is this purely down to a very high powered router that’s causing my problems?

    I have seen the router recommended (it has a physical wireless on/off switch is useful) any recommendations?

    On closer inspection I don’t think this is an ADSL router which is what i need.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FWYGJS/ref=as_li_tlie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001FWYGJS&linkCode=as2&tag=electricsense-20&linkId=KFJ3H5GJ6U77TYNJ

    Thanks and kind regards.

    Geoff

    Reply

    • Geoff,

      Is your router grounded? I have had routers that transmit electrical fields through the ethernet cable to the computer. It can be hit or miss depending on the brand.

      A decent router with an on-off switch for the WiFi component can be seen at the bottom of this page:

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/safe-baby-monitor/

      As for a way to ground your computer, the USB to 3-prong gator clip is the best. You can also run a grounding wire (like they have at http://www.earthing.com) to the outside. You can use a gator clip to attach to it and then run the other end (which has a metal stake) to the outside.

      Usually a grounded outlet works best though.

      Keep me posted on what you find.

      Jeromy

      Reply

      • The reason I’m skeptical of defenderpad, is because long ago, I’d tried the Magda-Havas recommended Stetzerizer filter (among other things such as “chokers” which hug mouse-cord, and also one of those small-round doo-hickies that supposedly protect from cellphone & laptop EMFs). None of them helped.

        Subsequently, after corresponding with two separate truly-scientific guys, I came to realize that the following two factors are what truly help the most:

        (1) getting LOW ghz laptops, such as 1.4ghz or lower, if any such still exist anymore. Shame on them.
        (2) dimming screen to the absolute lowest – which NOT ALL laptops let you do. Shame on them.
        (3) matte screen – which most don’t offer – shame on them.

        Best of all would be E-paper laptops which would include pixel qi type of technology. Or alternatively, the original Fit-PC mini-towers which were low ghz, combined with Pixel-Qi stand-alone monitors. As far as I know, the aggressive movers & shakers of the world have failed to offer this to the mass market.

        Again, shame on them.

        Reply

  8. Hello Jeromy,

    I am using WIMX for my PC and have had bad ringing in my ears for quite a while now and it is also making it hard to sleep. Should I be unplugging my router at night before bedtime, I never pieced this together before reading your article regarding WIFI. Thanks for your interest!

    Terrance Keenan

    Reply

    • Hi Terry,

      Thanks for your comment. I’m afraid tinnitus is becoming a common thing and very few people are realizing that wireless technology can play a roll. Search for “microwave hearing effect”.

      As the following paper points out, it may be all the modulated frequencies (the data) on the carrier wave that is causing the biological damage. 4G and, eventually 5G, will have much more data (and more modulated frequencies) than our earlier wireless technology (2G, 3G, etc). Because of this, we will likely see an increase in biological effects – like tinnitus – going forward.

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/blackman-modulation-2009.pdf

      Best of luck to you,

      Jeromy

      Reply

  10. Hi Jeromy,
    Thank you for the explanation of making things safer.
    Is that also for desktop computers?
    Currently hands get pain from a mouse so notice you have the mouse link will check into.
    Am trying to figure how to rid the “Smart” meter as they say will charge, though did find a letter asking CPUC to let residents do for free in the county but figured CPUC ignored it.

    Reply

  11. Hi All: It is nice to have the number of people who are EMF/RF aware growing and sharing. Something that everyone should know, especially if you do not have equipment to measure what your router, TV, or other appliances for that matter are actually doing.

    I had my Lynksys router turned off on the router and off through the online settings, I thought that it was completely off and when I measured it the router was sending signals continuously. I switched to a TP-link (no wireless function) router, when shopping for one sometimes the 8 port is less expensive than the 4 port.

    Also my Samsung Smart TV emits a signal approximately every 15 seconds at a frequency that is between 2.4 GHz and 10 GHz; I don’t use it ( but I also can’t live in my house anymore due to the installation of data collectors on both sides of my house which is how I became EHS) I am hopeful that in the case going to the Maine Supreme court next week they will actually acknowledge all of the scientific research that shows the dangers of even very low RF.

    Does anyone know how to disable the signal on a Samsung TV? I always hardwire with Cat7 shielded cable? I may have to do it physically but I am additionally freaked out by the fact that it still may be listening to me !!

    For those who may not know what else in your house is radiating, if there is an FCC I.D. number on the appliance it is possible that it is emitting or capable of it.

    All of us who are sensitive are frequently misunderstood… See the November 2015 issue of The Atlantic magazine and show it to your friends. The head line is “If You’re Not Paranoid, You’re Crazy” Subtitle “Life in the Surveillance Society” with a man wrapped head to toe in layers of aluminum foil.

    Have a safe day!

    W

    Reply

  12. Jeromy:

    Thank you so much for your well thought out website. I learned a lot. It’s much more helpful than the little pamphlets PG&E sends out.

    My question…I need to use Wi-Fi in my home. Does it make a difference whether the router is upstairs vs. downstairs? I mainly work on my computer downstairs and was considering moving the router closer to me for better reception. (The router is now upstairs).

    Reply

    • Hi Elaine,

      The issue is that your laptop/tablet is also constant emitting microwave radiation in order to communicate with your router. So, you are getting more exposure from the computer than from your router.

      Your computer/tablet may also be increasing the power of the signal if the router is farther away (like a cell phone does is the nearest tower is miles away).

      If you must keep the router on for some reason, then run an ethernet cable from your computer to the router so at least you don’t have the computer RF source that is just a couple feet from you all day.

      I lay this out in #4 here: https://www.emfanalysis.com/the-basics

      Also turn off your router at night when you sleep. You can put it on a basic timer (like a Christmas light timer) to do this.

      I really encourage people to move away from relying completely on wireless technology. Every month new research comes out that points to it being the tobacco or asbestos of our time. If you must, use it sparingly – not 24/7.

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/research/

      Jeromy

      Reply

  13. Hello Jeromy-

    Great website. If I purchase a small form factor PC, put it in the router cage and then hard wire it to a monitor, along with a wired keyboard and mouse, would that significantly reduce EMFs from the Computer?

    Thanks,

    Nate

    Reply

    • Hi Nate,

      Great question. I had to look up what a small form factor PC is:

      http://lifehacker.com/five-best-small-form-factor-pcs-1701619172

      These are likely very good options for a low-EMF PC. As long as you have the WiFi disabled and only use the Gigabit Ethernet for internet, then you don’t need a router guard.

      The router guard is designed to block megahertz/gigahertz range frequencies (WiFi is 2.4 and 5.0 Ghz). For the lower frequencies that a computer also emits when the WiFi is disabled, the router guard would not help.

      Instead, you could place a Defender Pad between you and the PC. These are meant to reduce the lower frequency magnetic and electric fields:

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/defender-pad/

      The only tricky part of this setup is finding a screen that works for you. I like older monitors (2011 Dells monitors for instance). The newer LED’s give me a headache more quickly, but that’s just my experience.

      Distance is always your friend. It seems with this setup, you could place the computer a long ways away from you body, which is best.

      Jeromy

      Reply

  14. Hi Jeromy,

    Is the laptop not grounded when it is plugged in? And, yes I have to plug in the computer. My battery is bad.

    thanks,

    dennis

    Reply

    • Dennis,

      It is grounded if you have the 3-prong plug. However, by being plugged in, the electric fields coming from the computer will typically be much higher.

      I have measured this happening multiple times.

      Jeromy

      Reply

  15. In the second picture, the keyboard doesn’t look plugged in. Is it Bluetooth? Can I use dialup & have less EMF? If I use dialup with an old Linksys router, will that work to safely connect other devices in other rooms wirelessly? Thx. I’m very sick and apparently emfs can cause or worsen my problems.

    Reply

  16. Jeromy,

    How effective are protective devices one wears in neutralizing/ protecting from EMF? Qlink & others I have seen advertised, say they do. I use Tachyon disks, which come in various sizes to attach to devices, or be placed over the incoming electric power source, & is said by the company to transmutes the EMF energy, so it is no longer harmful.

    Thanks for your response. Louise

    Reply

    • Louise, I’ve tried many devices which failed to help, i.e. stetzerizer filter (recommended by Magda Havas), one of those “black chokers” which hug the mouse cord also failed to help, one of those small round things you attach to cellphone or laptop also failed to help, a pendant sold by a female conman, and an expensive “Quantum Home” machine (that was long ago). Some of these had been recommended by a guy associated with a prominent anti-EMF site.

      In the end, here’s what helped me most,

      …i’m pasting it from my response to Jeromy up above.

      (1) getting LOW ghz laptops, such as 1.4ghz or lower, if any such still exist anymore. Shame on them.
      (2) dimming screen to the absolute lowest – which NOT ALL laptops let you do. Shame on them.
      (3) matte screen – which most don’t offer – shame on them.

      Best of all would be E-paper laptops which would include pixel qi type of technology. Or alternatively, the original Fit-PC mini-towers which were low ghz, combined with Pixel-Qi stand-alone monitors. As far as I know, the aggressive movers & shakers of the world have failed to offer this to the mass market.

      Reply

  17. This may be a dumb question. Are my laptop and cell phone emitting dangerous waves when they are charging, but off? I’m struggling to understand all of this. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Hi Christy,

      Any time a device is charging, there are electric fields being generated. This can affect users. I always recommend that you use your computer / devices on battery power. This will greatly reduce these electric fields.

      My best,

      Jeromy

      Reply

  18. Thank you!! My emf sensitivity began when I bought a MacBook Air in 2008. So convenient, I have kept using it, however, convenience is not a good reason to risk serious health complications.

    Thank you for these possible solutions.

    I am reading The Invisible Rainbow by Arthur Firstenberg. Best book on electricity and EMF illness that I have seen. Suggest we all read it!!

    Blessings,

    Roy

    Reply

  19. Dear Jeromy,

    Thank you for your work on helping us develop safer ways to live in this industrial/electrified world.  I also became acutely aware of my symptoms from unhealthy EMF’s when I bought a MacBook Air in 2008.

    From the first day I used it, my hands hand a tingling, stinging sensation and the more I’ve used it the more that sensation goes up to my arms and into my chest.  I’ve become extremely resistant to using the computer even though much of my work depends upon it.  

    My first computers were Dell laptops and even with those, I had an overall malaise when using them but not the extreme symptoms that have developed with the MacBook.  

    I read your recommendation about using the Toshiba 2015 model and just before I purchase that, I would like to know if that is still your recommendation as the best machine for internet and web browsing.  

    I use software in my homeopathic work that needs a fairly good processor and at least 4 GB of RAM.  So I’m thinking that I may have to get a second machine and use it just for running the software, rather than being exposed to a more powerful machine for internet and web browsing.  

    I assume that the more powerful computer would be one of the Dell’s that you mentioned, unless again you have an updated suggestion for that.

    I also wonder if it is worth buying one of the shielding aprons from Less EMF.  

    I tried using both a mouse and a keyboard, wired keyboard with my MacBook Air but I found no reduction in symptoms by having that wired connection to the MacBook.  I also used a grounding cord with it and did not find that greatly reduced symptoms either.  

    I bought a Fentek infrared connecting keyboard which I think does give fewer symptoms.  It was very slow and difficult to use with the MacBook Air.  I’m told it may work better with a PC, but I will try the setup you have described.  

    If you or other people have experience with the IR connecting keyboard, let me know please.  

    Also, your experience using the shielded gloves from Less EMF?

    By your suggestion, I do find it better to do emails using the Smartphone.  Would using a tablet which has  better keyboard ability work just as well as a Smartphone?

    I recomend people read The Invisible Rainbow by Arthur Firstenberg. Best book I have seen on EMF.

    Blessings,

    Roy Ozanne, MD

    Reply

    • Thank you Roy for this message.

      Many people can feel the Apple computers and then become sensitized to other computers along the way. I felt the MacBook Air right away and returned it to the store after using it 10 minutes.

      To your questions, yes, I am still using the Toshiba computers and the Dell Latitude E6230. I cycle through them (but prefer the Dell for it’s speed) as I write in this article:

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/low-emf-computing/

      If you can find one used on ebay or Amazon, here is another Toshiba model that could be good. Another highly ES person uses this:

      5 year old Toshiba Satellite i5-2430M w/SSD (idling @ 0.79GHz)

      When it comes to gloves and aprons and items like that, I have never used them and doubt their effectiveness. What I do know to work is reducing the EMI coming to your computer from your router/modem and in having your total EMF load in your office / home as low as possible. I get into this in these articles:

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/low-emf-internet-connection/

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/how-to-create-a-healthy-home/

      For instance, in my home office, the magnetic fields are at 0.02 mG, electric fields are around 1 V/m, RF fields are extremely low and EMI readings are around 100 mV. You can see this in the following picture:

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/All-EMF-Meters-Good.jpg

      If you have high fields in your office, then when you engage with the computer, you may become symptomatic much quicker. The computer is just the last drop that makes your barrel full. If the ambient fields are low, then you can use your computer much longer. Hopefully you can have someone come check your home / office or get the meters and I can coach you on this.

      Finally, you could also use an iPad and wire it with Ethernet for the internet connection. I don’t think there will be a big different between a smart phone and iPad, but at least with an iPad you have the option to wire it.

      See some videos of how to do this here:

      https://www.emfanalysis.com/how-to-wire-an-ipad/

      Hope this helps!

      Jeromy

      Reply

  21. Hi Jeromy,

    Thanks for your helpful reply. I am eager to get on to lower EMI computing! Years ago I looked into wiring an iPad, but found I needed a powered hub to do it. My experience using a powered hub with my MacBook was awful. Symptoms very high, so I passed on the iPad, but did consider a Microsoft Surface as it had a ethernet connection.

    What is your experience with either iPad or pc tablets. Do they seem less irritating than the MacBook?

    I have been working for several years to lower the EMI in my home and office. On the Greenwave, Stetzer like meter I hear 0 to 8. Seems pretty good. Microwave signals with that HC something meter are 0 where I live. On a body voltage meter I have numbers I am not happy with. Tends to be 400 to 1200 mv in working locations. I have gotten 2 locations of 140 and 80 for sleeping spots. We have wiring under our floor that I would like to get redone in grounded metal conduit to see if that helps.

    I have checked the wiring in the breaker panel and though the house. Spark Burmaster did that for me and found a crossed set of wires in a bathroom light switch. Undoing that really helped my symptoms in the house, so I am aware that the household emf situation is vip. I try to check it out for all my patients, but I may need some better equipment.

    I had a Profie II meter, along with the microwave meter you use and a Greenwave meter. The Profie II handled electric and magnetic fields, but it no longer works and I am not sure where the magnetic field readings are in the house. I will get a meter and take a look.

    Thank you!!

    R

    Reply

    • Hi Roy,

      Thanks for your questions.

      I have not used any tablet computers, so cannot speak to how they affect an ES person. I do know that in the newer videos that show how to wire an iPad, it seems that a powered hub is not needed. I believe Apple is making it easier to wire them. I have a link to this in my comment above.

      I also am not a big fan of the “body voltage” method. The most important EMF tests in a home are:

      1.) Magnetic Fields
      2.) Power Quality (EMI/dirty electricity/electric fields)
      3.) Microwave Radiation/RF

      You want to have good meters for these.

      My favorite as it accurately measures both magnetic and electric fields is this one:

      http://slt.co/Products/EMFMeters/ME3851A.aspx

      You get a 10% discount if you use the code EMFA-10 at checkout.

      This meter will do the same thing, but is less sensitive and doesn’t give you the ability to test different frequency ranges:

      http://slt.co/Products/EMFMeters/ME3830B.aspx

      For Microwave Radiation/RF, I really like this simple meter from the UK. It has a very sensitive RF antenna:

      http://slt.co/Products/RFDetectors/Acousticom2.aspx

      Hope this helps,

      Jeromy

      Reply

  22. HI Jeromy,

    Two comments, questions. I have an EE consultant, Spark Burmaster who likes the Acer 551 computers. About $150 on eBay. I wonder if any ES people have had experience with this computer.

    He also had an ES person complaining of symptoms using a pc. They removed the wi-fi chip from the computer and the ES person felt much better, even though the wifi was turned off when she used the computer. Anyone have experience with this? He is suggesting that I remove that chip from any pc I get.

    Blessings,

    Roy

    PS: I am loving this AlphaSmart!! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Hi Roy,

      I have not used an Acer 551 and have not heard of others using one yet.

      On the WiFi chip – if it is still powered and emitting EMI, then it could be a problem for ES people who are sensitive to EMI from such sources.

      I know that some ES people are sensitive to the EMI created by a GPS antenna in a smart phone. It’s not emitting RF, but the EMI can be bothersome to people.

      So, it’s worth a try to take the chip out.

      Jeromy

      Reply

  23. I’m looking at shielding a desktop computer. What do you think of Less Emf’s Computer Monitor Screen Shield and Computer Cage for the monitor and the Tower Shield and Magnetic Shielding Foil for the tower itself?

    https://www.lessemf.com/computer.html#310

    Or would it be better to purchase one of the laptops mentioned above?

    We have a family member with EHS. They can’t be within 30 feet of our desktop computer for any length of time without having symptoms.

    Reply

  24. I’m not sure if this would make a difference, but I forgot to mention that we have Cat-7 ethernet cables and a low bandwidth modem. It seems to be just high frequencies that cause the issue –PC’s, cellphones, WiFi etc. So far, we haven’t had issues with everyday household items.

    Reply

  25. Hi Jeromy,

    Do you generally recommend a battery-powered laptop over a plugged-in tower/monitor as far as EMRs is concerned?

    Reply

  26. I notice that you’ve not recommended WrapTop, although it’s also on the http://www.lessemf.com which has the ball type mouse you do recommend. I’ve my reservations about that too. Can you comment on that?

    Reply

  27. For those who have to stay in the woods, an option is using the Easytether app (only for androids, most android work, but not all.) Then look up on the internet a 15ft cord that attaches to the usb on the laptop to the phone (using whatever kind of connector is used to go into the port that powers the phone.) Don’t go over 15ft as the connection won’t be good. Only 1 bar of service on the phone is needed, which is helpful when needing to get away from cell towers, and though one bar isn’t recommended when actually on the phone, this is being up to 25 ft away from the phone, and one bar was preferable for me to be in a lower RF environment.

    Easytether doesn’t use any data on a cellphone.

    Along with a long usb cord to use keyboard, and also usb to mouse, it’s possible to have 10′ more distance for 25 ft away from cell phone. Google voice can be used to make phone calls then on computer or to text. Also, using a 15′ extension for a cell phone headset can make the headset cord longer to get farther away.

    I’ve also asked people to use their ethernet connect by bringing a 150 ft ethernet cable and laying from their router through the window and far away from the house.

    Tip – Put something under laptop other than putting it on ground as dirt gets pulled into fan.

    Reply

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