A system and method detects low grade physical motions of an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, and takes protective measures if the physical motions match a pre-specified physical motion pattern. The pre-specified physical motion pattern may have been selected as a pattern which, if left alone, could cause cumulative damage to the electronic device. Alternatively, the pre-specified motion pattern may have been selected as a pattern which tended to indicate that more aggressive and abrupt movements would be forthcoming. The system and method further detects sustained motion (such as in a laptop bag) such that the laptop may shut-off so that the laptop does not overheat or get damaged.