Question:
I just moved into a new apartment with a home office in which I have a computer. I'm finding that the heat
generated by my computer has a considerable impact on warm days. The apartment is without
air conditioning, so I'm trying to find a portable and affordable air conditioner for that
one room. The only portable air conditioners I've been able to find are $600-$1200, and
evaporative coolers won't do as I'd worry about damaging my computer and peripherals with
high humidity. I'm prepared to spend what I have to, but I'm also
wondering if any one knows of a less expensive alternative like some clever way of converting a conventional wall or
window mounted air conditioner into a portable unit, or perhaps just some less known, less expensive brand.
Answer:
You're right that all of the portable units are quite expensive. There
aren't any cheap ones. A question I have is how are you going to vent the
portable unit in the first place? Do you have a window or some other opening
available? Are you thinking that you don't want to use up the available
window for the a/c?
It isn't clear to me why you can't just use a conventional window
mounted air conditioner. Perhaps you don't have a window in
that room, or the landlord won't allow air conditioners.
If that's the case, can you move your computer into a closet
or a different room, and run several extension cables to your
monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse? Yes it is messy but
I've done it before.
If it is your monitor that is generating the heat, there isn't
much you can do. One would be to buy an LCD monitor,
but they are most expensive. Another would be to buy
a smaller monitor, but that isn't too appealing either.
I think your best bet is to pony up the $600-$1200.
