We’ve all had the misfortune of accidentally damaging a beloved electronic device. But there is perhaps none worse than getting a MacBook wet. Apple products are notoriously difficult to repair by yourself, and they can be quite costly to replace.

At AnimationTech, we understand your plight and want to assist you in getting your MacBook back up and running. So follow the steps outlined below to see if there’s still life left in your Apple device.

In the meantime, if you don’t have an extra laptop available, you can always count on us for our MacBook rental Los Angeles services. Let us know what you need, and we’ll be sure to assist you in finding a suitable solution.

First Things First

If the spill happened while Macbook is on, turn it off as soon as possible and do not close the MacBook! If you re-open the MacBook, it will automatically turn on and risk damaging the MacBook further.

If the spill happened while MacBook is off, leave it the way it was during the spill (open or closed) then attempt the steps below for drying.

1. Disconnect the Power Supply

The first step to take if you spilled liquid on your MacBook is to safely unplug your MacBook from any source of power. You don’t want to leave it plugged in and risk electrocution or damage the computer even further.

2. Take Your MacBook Somewhere Dry

The most important thing to do if you spill liquid on your MacBook is to get it out of the liquid as soon as possible. Unplug your MacBook from power and move it to a dry area. If you have time, turn off the MacBook and disconnect any accessories that are plugged into it.

3. Turn off the MacBook Right Away

Unplugging your MacBook is only part of the solution. If you spill liquid on your MacBook, be sure to power off your device immediately. This will help prevent any additional electrical or liquid damage. Plus, it can keep you from getting electrocuted.

4. Disconnect the Battery and Unplug Any Accessories

It’s a good idea to unplug all accessories from your MacBook before you power it off. Accessories, like the power cord or wired mouse, can short-circuit if water comes in contact with them. It’s also important to disconnect the battery for safety reasons and to remove the battery requires specific tools to open the back of the MacBook. We would recommend having your IT team take care of this part or going to your local Apple store as soon as possible. If you can’t see them sooner continue on to the next steps.

5. Absorb Any Liquid

One of the first steps after you spill liquid on your MacBook is to absorb any liquid that you can. To do this, turn over your laptop and remove it from any other electronics that may be nearby. Then use a towel or paper towels to soak up as much liquid as possible.

Once you’ve soaked up all of the liquid, you’ll want to continue to keep any external accessories unplugged. This will help prevent any potential damage caused by power surges during the drying process.

6. Let Your MacBook Dry Completely

After you’ve taken the necessary steps to clean your MacBook, you’ll want to wait until it’s completely dry. Depending on the severity of the spill, this may take up to 48 hours.

The drying process should happen in a well-ventilated area and at room temperature. If you plan on using your MacBook while the liquid is still soaking into the keyboard or other parts of your machine, there is a chance that those areas will never be completely dry and may result in permanent damage to your computer.

As such, it is imperative that you don’t attempt to use your MacBook in any manner. Patience is key here, so rent a MacBook or use a different device if you absolutely must have access to a computer or the internet.

7. Turn It On

Now that your MacBook is completely dry, try turning it on. If everything checks out, you’re good to go. But if you’re still running into issues or the device just refuses to turn on, you need to think about other options.

You can always take advantage of our computer rental Los Angeles services. We offer both Apple and PC rentals, and we can ensure that you have the access you need until you find a permanent solution.

If you need further assistance finding a MacBook or PC to rent, give us a call today at 213-985-4442. You may also submit a rental request to get started.

Apple sets the gold standard when it comes to high-quality, high-performance notebooks, particularly in the areas of digital video editing and creative professionals. From simple photo editing to 3D rendering, these versatile rentals are packed with power to support your next creative project. 

Rent the latest MacBook Pro M1 Max for anyone on your team who needs one!

The MacBook Pro M1 Max

October 26, 2021, saw the release of the MacBook Pro M1 Max, a new and top-tier notebook designed for phenomenal performance, processing power, and machine learning technology. This workhorse notebook is intended to bridge the gap between convenience and professional graphics processing by:

● Leveraging hardware that pushes the computer to the max.

● Offering a 16-inch screen so designers and producers can see their projects come to life more easily than ever. 

● Providing instant compatibility with other devices through ports such as 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, a MagSafe 3 port, and an SDXC card slot.\

 

Why the M1 Max is Right for Your Next Creative Project

It all comes down to the power the MacBook Pro M1 Max can provide for your company. The M1 Max chip is the most powerful created for any Mac Pro notebook, offering a whopping 10 CPU cores and up to 32 GPU cores. All that graphics processing power is perfect for graphic design, photo-editing, and 3D rendering. Designers and developers can easily leverage tools such as Octane, Redshift, and C4D with this powerful notebook.

That’s not all it has to offer. Indeed, the MacBook Pro M1 Max comes with a dedicated media engine for decoding plus another two engines for encoding. This enables up to twice as fast video encoding as you may expect.

Multistream performance is also optimized thanks to the two ProRes accelerators that come built into the notebook out of the box. This enables your post-production team to play up to seven streams of 8K ProRes video feedback simultaneously – talk about maximizing performance!

Rent the MacBook Pro M1 Max Today

We offer rental solutions for VFX and post-production studios looking to rent the MacBook Pro M1 Max in all of its powerful glory. Your MacBook Pro M1 Max rental will include all the major specs you need, including the M1 Max 10-Core chip, 64 GB of unified memory, and 1 TB of storage space on a solid-state drive.

Plus, AnimationTech makes it easy for you to rent iMacs or any other accessories or tools your editing team may need to tackle this quarter’s challenges. Grab an extra monitor, multi-GPU workstations, drawing tablets, rent MacBook Airs or anything else your production may need to get the project done on time. Our rental inventory includes a variety of other Mac M1 CPU rentals, including the iMac 24” M1, the MacBook Pro 13” M1, and the MacBook Air 13” M1.

Don’t take our word for it – check out the MacBook Pro M1 Max rental page today, and don’t hesitate to contact us about availability!

It might seem that cleaning your LCD or LED monitor is as simple as wiping it down with some glass cleaner and a cloth. The reality is, you want to be sure you are using the right types of cleaners and cleaning cloths to preserve the life of your monitor. Here are some tips on keeping your monitor crystal clear while still preventing scratches or damage to the screen.

Blow The Dust Away

A great way to clean your monitor that is totally contact-free is by using a can of compressed air. Use short bursts to avoid any propellant coming out. Take breaks in between sprays. This is a great way to start your cleaning routine so there is less chance of any solid contaminant creating scratches.

 

Choose The Right Tools For The Job 

Just like any maintenance task, you need to choose the right tools and materials to get the job done right.

Cleaning Cloth 

Certain materials are much better for cleaning monitors than others. Some could even create tiny scratches in the finish which could affect the performance of the monitor. 

Save the paper towels for cleaning up the coffee you spilled on your desk. Never use them to clean your screen. Paper towels are mildly abrasive and can leave behind scratches. They can also leave lint, which defeats the whole purpose of cleaning in the first place. The same goes for that old t-shirt or rag. Use those for cleaning the bathroom sink, but keep them away from your monitor. 

Instead, choose a microfiber cloth. They are made of high-tech materials that pick up dust, smudges, and fingerprints, while still being soft and gentle enough to protect the delicate surface of the monitor. 

Cleaning Liquid

Often a dry microfiber cloth is all you need to get the job done. If you do have a more persistent smudge, opt for a gentle cleaner made specifically for monitors. 

Pro tip: many times a microfiber that is very lightly moistened with water is all you need. Be sure to wring it out and remove as much excess water as you can.

Never use products containing ammonia as this is almost certain to damage the monitor’s coating. The same goes for alcohol. Unless your care instructions say to use it, keep it away from the surface of your screen. 

Be Gentle

While you are cleaning, be sure to rub gently on the surface. While some monitors are covered in fairly sturdy glass or polycarbonate, many are a much more flexible type of plastic. Excess pressure can easily crack the glass or worse, damage the liquid crystals under the screen. Use the lightest pressure that you can and still get the job done.

AnimationTech: Monitor Rentals Near Me

 

Rent top-of-the-line professional-grade monitors from AnimationTech. Located in New York City and Los Angeles, we will ship monitors within the United States to established businesses. Choose the best monitors available from Dell, ASUS, and BenQ.

With so much business being conducted online because of the COVID-19 pandemic, hackers and scammers are working overtime to take advantage of fear and uncertainty to forward their schemes. 

Services like IT Support Los Angeles and IT Support NYC can help protect your company from these phishers, but there are precautions you can implement yourself to keep your information safe if you know what to look for.

Discrepancies to Look For

An FBI public service announcement shared that there’s been an increase in COVID-related phishing scams, and warned employees to be on the lookout. To avoid accidentally clicking on a bad link, there are some common things to look for before opening emails.

Fear language. These types of emails are designed to create panic. Lots of exclamation points, and words meant to alarm: Urgent, Now, Problems, Take Immediate Action.

Check spelling and language. You’ll often see misspelled words or improper grammar in the sender’s email, subject line, or body of the email. 

Strange or unexpected greetings, like “Hello, dear” or “Hi, friend”.

Some Common Scams 

It’s important to know that these phishing emails or texts may be designed to look like they’re from a company you trust, such as a bank or credit card company. In many cases, they will use a story to trick you into opening a link or attachment. Some common stories include the following: 

●  An institution requires you to confirm personal information. 
● There’s been suspicious activity on a site, or log-in attempts that were unauthorized.
●  Asks you to click a link to make a payment. 
● A “bank” or “financial institution” brings to your attention a problem with your account or payment information. 
●  Claims you are eligible for a government refund. 
●  Offers or coupons.

Because these emails are formatted to look like they come from a legitimate business or site, it’s important to read through carefully. Some will even use a header with a well-known company logo. If you don’t have an account or a professional relationship with the company that sent the email, chances are high that it’s a phishing scam. Don’t click on any links.

How to Protect Yourself

 

There are several ways you can keep yourself safe from hackers and scammers. First, protect your computer with security software. Remote IT support is available to help you figure out the best system to use, and make sure that it’s updated regularly.

Take this same precaution with your phone. Make sure you set all software to update automatically. These updates can give you crucial protections against threats. 

Back up all your data. Copy computer files to the cloud or to an external hard drive, and make sure you do the same for your phone. 

Finally, if you get a phishing email, be sure to report it. This can help fight the scammers, and protect others. Emails can be forwarded to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org. 

You can also report the phishing attack to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

More creative professionals than ever before are shifting to remote work, which means they need powerful workstations at home. As with any equipment, the quality of your workstation is dependent on how often you clean and maintain it, especially against regular dust buildup and internal debris.

If you have a cat or dog at home, you’ll be surprised how easily your pet’s hair can get into your workstation along with the dust.

Let’s break down five ways you can keep your home office workstation clean and running smoothly for months or years to come.

Position Your Workstation Wisely

As any  NYC computer rental company will tell you, setting up your at-home workstation in the right place is crucial so it doesn’t get quite so dirty and so it doesn’t overheat! Specifically, place your workstation:

• Away from other heat sources
• Away from a window where you get a lot of sunlight
• Off the carpet or floor, as this enables proper ventilation and prevents overheating

Use a Compressed Air Duster or Canned Air

 

When cleaning your workstation, open up the side of the tower and use a compressed air duster or canned air to remove dust, especially around the fans (which contribute to cooling your workstation during the day). Air is ideal for cleaning out the interior of a workstation since it doesn’t apply pressure and prevents damage to internal components.

Avoid Wiping Delicate Components

If you do need to wipe down the inside of your workstation because of embedded dirt or tougher debris, be sure to use a lint-free or microfiber cloth. Certain workstation components can become easily damaged if you apply too much pressure.

Use Electronic Cleaners Only

You may be tempted to use a potent cleaner to scrub off dirt or grime. If it’s absolutely necessary, be sure to use an electronic cleaner rather than an all-purpose or abrasive cleaner. Furthermore, be extra careful not to get moisture into any computer openings– spray the electronic cleaner on a microfiber cloth, never directly into the workstation.

ESD and Anti-Static Preventative Measures

You know when you reach for a metal door handle and get a small quick shock? That small static charge can damage electronics. We want to make sure we don’t carry any electrostatic discharge (ESD) over to workstations while cleaning it. To help prevent ESD when handling workstation parts, we can discharge possible static with the following:

• ESD Wrist Strap – This is connected with a conductive grounding cord that wraps around your wrist and the other end is a small clip you attach to a non-painted metal part of the workstation’s case.
• Antistatic Clothing – These garments are designed with dissipative material to help shield from charges. Look for the ESD protective symbol (as pictured below) when searching for ESD clothing.

There you have it: five tips to maintain your home office workstation to keep it clean and functioning properly. If you’re sticking with working remotely, these tips become even more important to add to your routine.

AnimationTech

If you’re looking for computer solutions for your VFX artists to work from home, check out our latest Intel and AMD workstation rental builds. We offer a variety of computer rentals in NYC, whether you need a Windows 10 PC for video editing or a more robust multi-GPU computer for rendering, we have options to fit your creative professional needs.

 

VFX studios are still maneuvering COVID-19 and although vaccinations are available, minimizing risk and safety is always a priority. Your team may be in the process of returning back to the office or implementing a hybrid environment of working from home and working at the office.

If your creatives prefer to continue working from home, check out this list of 6 different solutions for remote work options and see how we can provide remote IT support for your team.

HP ZCentral Remote Boost Software

Previously known as HP Remote Graphics Software (HP RGS), this software allows for remote workstation access. HP Z Central Boost is installed and set up on an office computer known as the sender. The corresponding software is installed on a home device known as the receiver.

Once the software is installed the receiver can access the sender. With HP ZCental Remote Boost, creatives are able to edit in real-time from video editing to complex 3D images.

Pros:

1. Receiver computer (artists’ home computer) can be PC, Linux or Mac OS
2. Multiple users can sign into the same computer simultaneously
3. Real-time transmission of complex 3D images and video that traditional remote options struggle with
4. Can map Wacom Tablets to sender computer from remote
5. USB devices connected to the office computer can be accessed virtually.

Cons:

1. Sender computer can only be PC or Linux – not compatible with Mac

VPN Connection

A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your connection from your computer (or device) to a network over the internet. Through a secure connection, users can browse, download and upload files from and to your server and ensure confidential files are safely transmitted.

Pros:

1. Security! A VPN offers strong encryption for protection from hackers.
2.  Runs on a number of operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, FreeBSD, and more.

Cons:

1. Setup on the users’ end can be complex.
2. Will need additional VPN hardware like Pfsense with OpenVPN
3. Users cannot work directly off the server

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Server

FTP is an easy way to transfer files between computers on the internet. You can access a remote computer to send and receive files.

Pros:

1. More user friendly than VPN connections
2. Allows you to transfer multiple directories at once
3. It’s a cost-effective solution

Cons:

1. Less secure than VPN connections
2. Does not allow users to work off the server

Teradici Remote Setup

Teradici Remote Setup allows you to work off the server with some restraints. This usually depends on factors such as bandwidth, distance from the server, etc.

Pros:

1. Users can work off server computer
2. More security because no data is stored
3. Comes with an online Management Console where your IT Team can
4. easily provide provision and manage devices

Cons:

1. Setup will require investing in hardware equipment and network configurations
2. The performance will depend on network and internet connection
3. Works a limited distance away from the office to the remote computer

Cloud Storage

Cloud storage costs are dependent on the amount of storage your team will need and the number of users. Cloud users can multi-task across multiple computers simultaneously.

Pros:

1. Users can work off of the server
2. Unlimited scalability in storage capacity

Cons:

1. Moving to cloud storage is an option that will require you to fully engineer a whole new network infrastructure of the cloud.
2. Cloud storage solutions can be costly and will require an ample amount of time for the cloud infrastructure to be engineered.

Remote Desktop Services or Applications

This is an option for staff members that do not need precision controls. With these services, they can also remote into computers to check on and push out renders through monitoring software.

Pros:

1. Can be used by staff members who don’t need precision controls
2. Securely access servers with built-in VPN software

Cons:

1. Artists that require precise movement and quality textures will experience latency and delays
2. Performance depends on the network and the internet connection
3. Creates a strain on network bandwidth depending on the number of users using remote connection

VFX Remote IT Support: Helping Creatives for Over 10 Years

As you plan to have your team work remotely, consider the following:

1. 1. Make sure artists or staff members that need more power than a conventional desktop have the equipment they need to work remotely.
   2. Always be in communication when it comes to emails. Confirm any transfer of sensitive information or data through a phone call, message, etc.
   3. Cybersecurity issues could occur, consider having your staff require 2-factor authentication. When you log into a shared network drive or any online accounts, it’ll require a second method to verify your identity (text you a code to enter, answer security questions, etc.).

AnimationTech can plan, set up, and deploy a remote access system for your whole team. If you need remote IT support or need to scale up your current IT department with more IT support, contact us and let us help you find a solution.

When technology advances, so do the different settings and specifications of the devices you’re using. If you’re used to working on a very specific workstation, it can be hard to adjust to these new needs. If you’re looking to rent an iMac  for your team, be sure to give them the best start on these new workstations with the following tips and tricks! Don’t worry, if you’re planning to rent a MacBook Air  or  rent a MacBook Pro, these are still going to be of use to you, too!

1. Optimizing Storage on macOS

When you’re working in visual arts and animation, storage is going to be of the utmost importance. Thankfully, the M1 series of Macs allows you to optimize storage easily! First, you’ll have to be updated to the latest Sierra MacOS version (don’t worry, we’ll handle that). After that, follow these steps to make sure your storage is optimized.

1. Go to the Apple menu
2. Select “About This Mac”
3. Click on the Storage tab
4. Click the “Manage” option
5. Click the “Optimize Storage” option

It’s as easy as that! This is especially useful on the MacBook Air  when you aren’t always carrying extra storage drives with you.

2. Using Other Apple Devices as Scanners

Something that’s really impressive about the M1 series products is their ability to use your iPhone or iPad as a portable scanner. When you’re constantly making sketches on the go, this can really come in handy. Here’s how to turn your mobile device into a mobile scanner.

1. Make sure you’re using the same Apple ID on your Mac and your mobile device
2. Turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your Mac
3. Open a new document in Pages
4. Control-click anywhere on the document and select “Import From iPhone or iPad”
5. Select your device
6. Take a photo, scan a document or add a sketch

The convenience of having a portable scanner is a plus when you want to connect your workflow with workstations like the iMac M1  or any of your Apple devices.

3. Copy Between All of Your Devices

An underutilized feature of the M1 series of Mac computers is the Universal Clipboard. Universal Clipboard allows you to copy from your Mac devices to your portable Apple devices, and vice versa. As long as you’re using the same Apple ID, you can copy it into one device and send it to another instantly. There are so many uses for this, especially when you’re working with multiple devices. It could even be used on multiple MacBook Pros, so long as the same Apple ID is being used.

4. Rent the Latest Line of Mac M1 Computers

From 3D modeling to video editing, our team has all your VFX equipment needs in one place. We are always looking out for the latest technology designed for creative professionals. Whether you prefer macOS or Windows 10, we have a variety of computer rental options readily available. Check out our Mac M1 options here or view all our rental categories here to see what you can rent for your next project!

Have a MacBook? See how to secure and encrypt your MacBook here.

Encryption is the process of encoding data to keep your data safe from someone who isn’t authorized to access it. Once you have encrypted data, only those with a “key” can view or use it. Cybersecurity threats like form jacking, cross-site scripting, and AI botnets are relatively newer techniques. Encryption can be especially important for Visual Effects Artists because they work with sensitive information and private projects. 

The most obvious way to protect data is to set up a workspace with no internet access, no phones, no cameras, no alarms, and have physical security measures in place. But that’s not feasible for most people in today’s connected world. The good news is that there are many out-of-the-box safety features on MacBooks to encrypt your data. If you are looking for a MacBook rental in NYC or Los Angeles, we provide state-of-the-art machines and offer security support. 

Find My App 

We take our devices everywhere. This means that they can also be left anywhere. Whether it’s on the desk at the doctor’s office or a seat on the subway, chances are that someone is going to find them. You can locate your Apple product with the Find My app. It makes it easy to find your devices—even if they are offline. The Find My app also protects your privacy. After it’s set up you can locate a lost or stolen device, or share your location with your contacts. Below are steps you can take to set up the Find My app. 

• Go to Apple menu > System Preferences 

• Click Security & Privacy > System Preferences 

• If it’s locked, click the padlock and enter the admin username and password

• Select Location Services 

• Next to System services, click Details 

• Check the box next to Find My Mac 

• Click Done, then return to System Preferences 

• Click Apple ID, then click iCloud 

• Check the box next to Find My Mac 

To find a Macbook rental in Los Angeles or a Macbook rental in NYC, contact us to learn more. 

File Vault 

Filevault locks down everything on your computer so that only those that you authorize can access it. When FileVault is on, your Mac always requires you to log in with a password. It takes 4 easy steps to turn on FileVault. 

• Go to Apple menu > System Preferences, next select Security & Privacy

• Go to the FileVault tab 

• Click Locked, enter an administrator name and password 

• Select Turn On FileVault 

That’s all there is to it. After setup is complete, once your Mac is restarted it will ask you for a username and password on startup. You can check FileVault’s progress in the Security & Privacy preferences section of the app. We offer the latest Macbook laptops for rental in Los Angeles, as well as Macbook rental in NYC. 

Bonus Tip—Use Your iPad as a Second Monitor 

Need more space to work? One interesting feature of the iPad is that you can use it to extend your Macbook screen. 

• Connect to Bluetooth or connect your iPad via charging cable. 

• Click the Airplay icon in the menu bar. Select to connect to your iPad.

• If you don’t see an icon, go to the Apple menu > System Preferences. Make sure “Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available,” is selected. 

• Click on the new screen icon that is now in the status bar. 

• Select “Mirror Built-in Retina Display.”

Email is a powerful tool for business and personal communication. The downside to this is that scammers and unscrupulous individuals can take advantage of potential victims. These scams range from old fashion rip-off operations to phishing schemes that combine a combination of email and fake websites to trick people into exposing sensitive information. 

Unfortunately, hackers are also taking advantage of the climate of uncertainty brought on by COVID-19. Remote workers are targeted, so you need to make sure that everyone on your team understands the basics of email security. Additionally, scammers are exploiting other channels of criminal activity when they target those looking to vote and collect stimulus checks. These scams are often known as phishing. Now that more people are working from home than ever during the pandemic, scams are on the rise. Often, this requires the help of remote IT support. 

Types of Phishing Scams

There are a wide variety of email scams that have been used for decades. Many of these scams were around long before email. These emails attempt to trick you into visiting a fraudulent website to download malware or divulge sensitive information. Below is a list of some of the most common phishing scams. 

• Guaranteed loan or credit 

• Chain letters 

• Free items 

• Work from home scams 

• Health and diet scams 

• Easy money 

• Bogus investment opportunities 

• Free cable kits

This list is by no means exhaustive. If you are looking for remote IT support, or IT support in NYC, we can help you protect your privacy and identify phishing scams. 

How to Avoid Phishing Scams 

If you understand the dangers, all you need to do is take some simple precautions to ensure that you can recognize scammers from legitimate sources. 

Learn the Email Policies of the Organizations You Do Business With Most

Legitimate organizations have clear policies on how they communicate through email. Many will not ask for personal information through email. Understanding these policies can help you weed out scammers. We provide remote IT support in NYC, ensuring that our clients’ data are safe and assisting in evaluating any suspicious emails our clients may come across.

Filter Spam 

Most email applications and mail services offer features to filter out spam. Find the help section of your email service to find out exactly how to filter out spam. 

Regard Unsolicited Email with Suspicion 

Be careful with emails sent to you by a person or organization that you don’t know. Do not attempt to open these emails, and never click links from a questionable email. 

Treat Email Attachments with Caution 

Be careful when you download email attachments. Even emails from someone you know may be sent from an infected computer. 

Don’t Give Into Panic and Reread the Email

When you receive an email asking you for money, claiming you broke the law or alerting you that you have unclaimed funds—take a moment to inspect the email and check if it’s legitimate. 

Configure a Personal Firewall 

Many operating systems come with built-in firewalls. This may not prevent fraudulent emails from reaching your inbox, but it can protect you if you accidentally open a file containing a virus. 

IT Support NYC 

Turning on two-factor authentication is just one of the many ways to protect your email account. If you have been scammed, and are looking for remote IT support, our team provides services to assure your safety online. If you think a scammer has your personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov. There you will find ways to take action and report the crime. If you think you opened an attachment or clicked on a link that downloaded malicious software, immediately update your security software, then run a scan.