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Laptop [Cooling] Solutions

ChanusChanus Harbinger of the Spicy Rooster ApocalypseThe Flames of a Thousand Collapsed StarsRegistered User, Moderator mod
edited February 2010 in Help / Advice Forum
So, I bought my first laptop... I'm trying not to roast my balls.

I'm fine for using it on a desk or something (I can just prop it up), but I need a product that would be comfortable to have in my lap and would allow it to stay cool enough to not blow up.

There appears to only be ventilation on the bottom, except for one vent on the back left side.

Any ideas Gents? Ladies?

Allegedly a voice of reason.
Chanus on

Posts

  • Grid SystemGrid System Registered User regular
    edited February 2010
    I avoid heat issues by throttling my laptop's power usage. Performance takes a hit, but it's a worthwhile trade-off.

    Grid System on
  • AwkAwk Registered User regular
    edited February 2010
    I just use a book or a binder and its good enough.
    I avoid heat issues by throttling my laptop's power usage. Performance takes a hit, but it's a worthwhile trade-off.

    Havent thought of this but im definitely gonna try. Any specifics?

    Awk on
  • ronyaronya Arrrrrf. the ivory tower's basementRegistered User regular
    edited February 2010
    Try a large ring binder. Those three-inch ones are often large enough, even for 15" laptops, and the generous air gap prevents any roasting. It will also lift and tilt the keyboard for easier typing (adjust this to your preference).

    If you're appropriating a binder just for this purpose, you could consider cutting a small hole underneath where the ventilator fan will be, and gluing non-slip pads to the surface.

    If you need active cooling, there are indeed USB-powered laptop cooling pads, but these typically require a flat surface underneath anyway.

    ronya on
    aRkpc.gif
  • ChanusChanus Harbinger of the Spicy Rooster Apocalypse The Flames of a Thousand Collapsed StarsRegistered User, Moderator mod
    edited February 2010
    Hmm... this DIY binder idea sounds promising... I'll see how that works out.

    Chanus on
    Allegedly a voice of reason.
  • illigillig Registered User regular
    edited February 2010
    Awk wrote: »
    I just use a book or a binder and its good enough.
    I avoid heat issues by throttling my laptop's power usage. Performance takes a hit, but it's a worthwhile trade-off.

    Havent thought of this but im definitely gonna try. Any specifics?

    QFT... especially if you're just browsing or whatever when it's on your lap, you don't need the full horsepower of the CPU/Video Card... you didn't say what OS you're using, but all Windows OSes have this in the "Power Options" in control panel (or similar)

    my 2GHz Core 2 Duo runs at a frosty 900MHz in my lap... resulting in little to none ball tostage

    if that doesn't work, then follow the advice above about the binder or some other hard surface... all laptops are able to cool themselves sufficiently on a hard surface... it's your legs/pants whatever blocking the air vents that's making it heat up

    simply place the laptop on a hard board of some sort... binder (like above), cutting board, etc. will work... you really don't need to spend money on one of those fancy active coolers with fans

    illig on
  • ChanusChanus Harbinger of the Spicy Rooster Apocalypse The Flames of a Thousand Collapsed StarsRegistered User, Moderator mod
    edited February 2010
    Yeah, I'm running Windows 7 on it (it's new)... I turned off some of the stuff in Power Options, but didn't really get too involved in it... I'll look around more this evening.

    Chanus on
    Allegedly a voice of reason.
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