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    NFC tag on laptop case?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Starlight5, Jul 28, 2016.

  1. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    I fully understand this question is probably stupid, but I wasn't able to find a direct answer to it anywhere - so here goes nothing.

    Is it safe for laptop hardware to place an NFC tag on palmrest or display lid?
     
    Starlight5, Jul 28, 2016
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  2. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

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    I don't see a reason why that would be unsafe.
     
    downloads, Jul 28, 2016
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  3. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    @downloads I'm wary of possible interference caused either by the tag itself, or smartphone brought close to read it.
     
    Starlight5, Jul 28, 2016
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  4. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

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    It shouldn't do that considering that there is no interference in the smartphone itself even though NFC antennas are not shielded in any reasonable way (in my LG G4 there is just a sticker over it) and all of the smartphones components like Wi-Fi and BT plus CPU are centimeters away.
    On that basis I don't think there would a problem with interference in a laptop although some planning is probably in order. You should be wary that antennas are in the lid of the laptops and possibly not place a sticker exactly there.
    I would also not want to have it over CPU or GPU where interference is likely but these components are usually at the back, not under the palm-rest.
    The only think under the palm-rest that I would wonder about would be the HDD. SSD wouldn't be a problem but I don't know if HDD would.
     
    downloads, Jul 28, 2016
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  5. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    @downloads thank you very much for your answers! I'd like to place the tag on palmrest above one of the SSDs, however when device is converted to tablet, WWAN antennae in the display lid end up right above the designated place; I could also place it on the other side of the palmrest - but then it's above expresscard slot, and my speculation is Wi-Fi antennae should be on that side of display lid it tablet mode. Also, there's Wacom EMR digitizer in the display lid... Of course I won't be tapping the tag in tablet mode, but possibility of adverse effects really worries me. On the other hand, the tag would be extremely handy for fast Bluetooth toggling on my smartphone.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2016
    Starlight5, Jul 28, 2016
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  6. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    Isn't the tag completely passive/off except for when it's being "read"?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    alexhawker, Jul 28, 2016
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  7. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

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    It is but what sort of interference would happen when it is being read and would it possibly prevent proper reading of it?
    My guess is that it would be fine, though.
     
    downloads, Jul 28, 2016
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  8. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    alexhawker, Jul 28, 2016
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    downloads and Starlight5 like this.