Laptop on lap: how to shield from the heat?

[VJ]

Hello!

As I've noticed, a laptop can get quite hot; to the point where it is uncomfortable.
There are various laptop coolers out there, but do they help? At first sight they seen to focus on cooling the computer, not at shielding you from its heat. What do you think (or use)?

Any suggestions?
(apart from "a desk" )


Jörg

[ZokesPro]

I'll probably put my laptop directly on my lap in the winter, but until then I use a pillow.

[Jammrock]

As long as you get one that is powered off USB (convenience), low power (no battery hog), and have fans or some sort of natural convection system (like heat pipes) they work very well.

http://www.antec.com/us/pro_notebookcooler.html

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834999414

[spadnos]

A pillow is probably the worst thing you can do for the computer, though it is nice for the lap

The reason is that it's a nice insulator, and it also blocks any vents on the bottom of the computer (which is where the fan intake usually is).

A better solution is to use a flat, hard board of some sort, optionally with some padding on the bottom, a Lap Desk". You can buy them for like $30 and up, or just make one yourself out of thin plywood.

- Steve

[The PIT]

problem with most modern laptops is that haven't got the capibility to deal with the heat.

So

A) Dont put it on your lap

B ) Get an air duster and blow out the fan and heat sink on a regular Basis.

C) prop it up on your desk.

D) If it shuts down don't keep restarting it as it shut down for a good reason.


We get loads of laptops that shut down with the smallest amount of dust. basically the CPU's have got to hot and cost cutting has prevented proper cooling. The next gen shouldn't be so bad but anyone using P4's etc keep them clean and ventilated.

[ND66]

You're a very brave man to keep the laptop on your lap anyway.
Forgot this already?

[Technoid]

The P4 cpu in laptops (yes, I have seen several that used unmodified desktop p4's that even had all powermanagment missing from the bios ) is a horrible mistake that all involved parties (Including Intel) should be deply remorsefull of

[The PIT]

You're a very brave man to keep the laptop on your lap anyway.
Forgot this already?

Ah the Hezbollah laptop.

[VJ]

As long as you get one that is powered off USB (convenience), low power (no battery hog), and have fans or some sort of natural convection system (like heat pipes) they work very well.

http://www.antec.com/us/pro_notebookcooler.html

I know these things, and that they help to cool the laptop. But I wonder: do they also keep the heat away from your lap, or do they just allow the heat to pass through?

My laptop has a Pentium M 1.2, but it is an ultra portable whose exterior is built like a heatsink: when it is cold, it feels very cold, but when it is running, it feels very hot. Their is an airvent in the back (with some fan or so, and some grills in the bottom; most likely the intake).


Jörg

[GuchiGuh]

Usually with me I just put a pillow between my lap and the laptop.
I don't usually do CPU intense things, so the laptop remains quite warm (not hot).
My laptop is fairly robust against hot enviroments, the fan spins at 2 different RPM ranges, depending how hot it is.

When I am gaming or doing CAD stuff, I move the laptop to the desk (to attach a second Keyboard and mouse).

Sometimes I use a fairly large book between my lap the the laptop, sometimes I just leave the laptop in the bag that I carry it around with.

[ZokesPro]

A pillow is probably the worst thing you can do for the computer, though it is nice for the lap

The reason is that it's a nice insulator, and it also blocks any vents on the bottom of the computer (which is where the fan intake usually is).

A better solution is to use a flat, hard board of some sort, optionally with some padding on the bottom, a Lap Desk". You can buy them for like $30 and up, or just make one yourself out of thin plywood.

- Steve

My vents on on the backside and one on the bottom and the exhaust are on the side so a pillow doesn't change much for me anyways.

[Dr Mordrid]

Not that my Dells run hot, far from it, but one thing I did was place four self adhesive 1/4" to 3/8" high rubber feet under them. These are 2x as high as what came on them and allow more efficient air flow from the bottom vents. Worth a few degrees in my experience. About $3 USD for a 6-pack at any hardware store.

When supporting laptops that run hot I'd suggest a double-bottomed aluminum cookie sheet. Their dual bottoms have an air space between them to prevent burning the underside of cookies etc.;



In this application they would provide insulation as well as a firm surface. The 14x16 inch size sounds about right, but there are many options. Cost: $7 to $15 USD at most dept. stores.

WearEver AirBake is one brand;

WearEver site

AirBake @ Amazon.com

Just because they were designed for the kitchen......

[VJ]

I'm surprised by the fact that some of you use pillows...

Interesting suggestion, doc!

I'll just roam around a multimedia hardware store, and see what they have...


Jörg

[KvHagedorn]

Laptops on the lap neutralize your nads.

[VJ]

Laptops on the lap neutralize your nads.

I was expecting this kind of comment much earlier in the thread...

But, yes, hence my question...



Jörg