Hot Laptop

[Neeranam]

No, not stolen but my new laptop - Acer 3680 - gets hot underneath, especially when using it on my bed. Should I not be using on my bed?

Is it ok to have it on all the time? Are these cooling things for laptops worth buying?

[onethailand]

No, not stolen but my new laptop - Acer 3680 - gets hot underneath, especially when using it on my bed. Should I not be using on my bed?

Is it ok to have it on all the time? Are these cooling things for laptops worth buying?

Every laptop I have ever owned gets hot, this is one of those unavoidable things. I would try not to use it on the bed because the bed is designed to retain heat... but as long as you're not talking excessively long periods of time it shouldn't be a problem.

Having it on all the time is also ok if not on the bed - but why?

[mart29]

put a hardback book underneath it, make sure the airvent side is free to breath in the gap made by this and you can lie on your front in bed and use it, i take it thats what you mean.

[Neeranam]

No, not stolen but my new laptop - Acer 3680 - gets hot underneath, especially when using it on my bed. Should I not be using on my bed?

Is it ok to have it on all the time? Are these cooling things for laptops worth buying?

Every laptop I have ever owned gets hot, this is one of those unavoidable things. I would try not to use it on the bed because the bed is designed to retain heat... but as long as you're not talking excessively long periods of time it shouldn't be a problem.

Having it on all the time is also ok if not on the bed - but why?

I need it on a lot for my work.

[billzant]

Dear Neeranam,

How are you?

I have been advised not to leave the laptop on all the time - as opposed to a desktop.

Because I didn't listen to this advice I bought one of the cooling things. It was live when I plugged in the USB. I now rest the laptop on it (not plugged in) when the laptop is hot so my lap doesn't get hot!

Hope you are keeping well,

All the Best

Bill Z

[onethailand]

No, not stolen but my new laptop - Acer 3680 - gets hot underneath, especially when using it on my bed. Should I not be using on my bed?

Is it ok to have it on all the time? Are these cooling things for laptops worth buying?

Every laptop I have ever owned gets hot, this is one of those unavoidable things. I would try not to use it on the bed because the bed is designed to retain heat... but as long as you're not talking excessively long periods of time it shouldn't be a problem.

Having it on all the time is also ok if not on the bed - but why?

I need it on a lot for my work.

I thought you meant when you were not using it

Obviously if you're using it, then of course there's no problem with leaving it on.

As Mart suggested - if you put something hard beneath it (unfortunately, books also absorb heat but at least the vent will be clear), you'll be fine using the laptop on the bed.

My laptop is always on now because my desktop's power supply is fried - but of course it has its own power-saving features so really it shouldn't cause a problem. A cooling device is not a bad idea, certainly won't hurt - but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one unless it were quite cheap.

[Naam]

put a hardback book underneath it, make sure the airvent side is free to breath in the gap made by this and...

don't cover it with a heavy quilt!

[Firefoxx]

A lot of notebooks have their intake vents on the bottom of the case (most Acers are like this). If you put it on a hard surface like a desk, the little feet at the edges will keep most of the case elevated enough so that they can suck in air. However, if you put it on something soft, like your lap, your bed, or some cloth, the vent will be obstructed. When this happens, no cool air will be able to get to the hot components, and so it will keep getting hotter and hotter. In an extreme case it could damage your notebook. Therefore, always keep the vents free of obstructions.

[baabaabobo]

I bought a double fanned perspex stand which is powered by the USB for 390 Baht and my laptop is now cool to the touch.

[ercorn]

I bought an acer aspire a few months ago and was concerned that it was running so hot espacialy when I was down loading something.The best idea (thanx TV)was to buy a cooling tray.Shop around Pantip I found one for 250b.

To answer your question,yes those cooling things work.

Edited October 11, 2007 by ercorn

[ungcas]

No, not stolen but my new laptop - Acer 3680 - gets hot underneath, especially when using it on my bed. Should I not be using on my bed?

Is it ok to have it on all the time? Are these cooling things for laptops worth buying?

My first laptop died while i was using it flat on the bed. It wasn't getting enough air circulation through the vents and overheated.

[Macx]

Tried several of those fan pads. The only ones that really worked well had at least 2 fans and are slightly canted at an angle so that the base of the laptop is tilled towards you ( ergonomics and good ventilation ). Get the one with the blueish LED and clear plastic base. Looks cool at night. And, yeah, the laptop stays impressively cool. 290bhat at Pantip.

[kayo]

Mine always heats up to at least 45-50 degrees at home. more than that if I play games, or watch dvd's etc...

Currently back at my brothers place in india, where my laptop quickly rises above 55 even on basic applications.

so I've shifted the desk slightly so the airconditioning vent blows out passing over and underneath the laptop.

So when I run loads of programs it remains fairly low, topping out at 45 earlier.

pity I have to go back to england next week.

funny thing is, i've rarely bothered with a/c before.

[tjo o tjim]

It doesn't work on all laptops, but you can sometimes adjust the fan speed through the software. Ultimately, using the laptop on your bed is not appropriate; you will block almost all airflow.

(On the Mac laptops, try SMC Fan Control. Great for Thailand to help keep the keyboard and palm rests cool.)

[Firefoxx]

The reason why those notebook stands work is because they provide a hard, flat surface for the notebook to rest on and don't obstruct the vents. If the vents aren't obstructed, then even if the notebook is running at full power and vents a lot of hot air, it won't overheat. In other words, if you use it correctly, you won't need the stands.

Another thing is that although you might think of them as laptops, actually resting them on your lap can lead to obstruction of the vents and overheating.