Do You Use Electronic Items In the Tub?

This image from of a most precarious computing setup in the tub has us wondering how many of you out there have used a laptop, PDA, tablet, handheld gaming system or other electronic item while in the tub? We've been tempted to use our iPod Touch while relaxing in the tub, but then our common sense reminds us that Mr. Bubble and electronic devices do not make for a happy combination.

Comments (7)

I keep the bathtub free of electronics, especially a computer. Tub time is relaxation time :)

posted by aghman on March 10th 2008 at 9:32am
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that is insane! if you're doing that, it's a clue that you need to take a time out & relax.

posted by mariegael on March 10th 2008 at 10:01am
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Holy sh*t that looks crazy. Why would you ever need a laptop in the tub? Are these the same people who use their hair dryer's in the tub, too?

posted by gretchen on March 10th 2008 at 12:41pm
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I use my mp3 player and cheap headphones... some encounters with water and headphones and they are still working (the ones that come with an iPod, by the way). But a computer? No way!

posted by olya on March 10th 2008 at 4:40pm
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Can ANYONE confirm this is remotely safe? I'm of the "hairdryer in the bathwater will kill you" generation, so I'm having trouble wrapping my head around this actually not being potentially lethal.

Do laptops just give off exponentially less power than a plugged-in appliance?

posted by mr.O on March 11th 2008 at 10:26am
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for those of us who care more about data safety than personal safety, i hope the bathtub user does a daily system backup!!

posted by emmmmma on March 11th 2008 at 5:44pm
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There are some computing devices that are waterproof.

If you've got all the ports covered, some of the military-grade "rugged" computers (like certain models of Panasonic Toughbooks) are supposed to be put in the dishwasher for cleaning. I kid you not, that is the manufacturer-specified way to clean them.

But anything else isn't going anywhere remotely close to my tub, or my shower. Hell, since I care about losing my personal data, I'm not going to voluntarily take a computer into any high-moisture environment.

But I will sometimes take a computer into the bathroom with me when I'm going to be "on the throne" for a while. But then our "throne rooms" are separate from the rest of the bathroom, and they don't have serious moisture problems.

posted by bradknowles on March 12th 2008 at 6:08pm
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