How to not obscure the air intake on a laptop?

[Shinare]

I have noticed now, after playing with my new (1st) laptop over the weekend that the air intake is on the bottom of the laptop and expells it out the side after going over what looks to be some copper fins in there.

We've been using it mostly for surfing the internet and checking email on the web while in bed and the laptop is sitting on top. This obviously covers up, or mostly so, the bottom vent with thick covers, sheets, fat belly, etc. I can only assume this is cooling off the processor and possibly even the chipset as the air comming out is actually rather warm. The fan speeds up very audibly every now and then but only for a few seconds, and is then back down to inaudibly quiet.

My question: Is there something I can get so as to not obscure this intake vent so that everything gets it's proper cooling? I was just thinking on getting one of those "Breakfast in Bed" type tables and putting it on it, but that would make the lappy pretty high up there. Is that a good option, or are there better, more specifically designed things for this purpose?

 

[slugg]

if it's a good brand, i wouldnt worry about it. Assuming its a good brand, I'm sure they already took that into consideration. For example, I'm sure IBM is more than well aware that people use their laptops on beds, or hell even their LAPS! I would only worry about it if the fan is on the bottom... other than that, it SHOULD get enough airflow from the sides.

 

[Shinare]

The air intake is on the bottom of the laptop and the exhaust is on the side.

 

[kami333]

I use a magazine underneath.

I've used my laptops in bed for the last 8years and haven't overheated one because of it yet.

 

[trungthiendo]

its a blower configuration, don't worry about it, even if u constrict the air passage, the case isn't airtight air will get in somehow,
on that point, u won't be doing cpu intensive tasks when u are on your bed or the sort...so it won't get that hot.

its ur first laptop, you are gonna care for it like no other, just realize its not going to die...lol have fun be safe

 

[cheesehead]

Put it on something flat, like a piece of metal sheeting. (Yes, I have odd bits of metal sheeting in my room.) Someone I know just got rid of a laptop that cost them 2700$ ten months ago because it had fried as a result of the fan being clogged with lint. And man, were the dust bunnies I pulled out of that thing HUGE. (Coincidentally, I now know the hair color of the owner, and that she has a medium-haired white dog or cat.)

 

[Liver]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
Put it on something flat, like a piece of metal sheeting. (Yes, I have odd bits of metal sheeting in my room.) Someone I know just got rid of a laptop that cost them 2700$ ten months ago because it had fried as a result of the fan being clogged with lint. And man, were the dust bunnies I pulled out of that thing HUGE. (Coincidentally, I now know the hair color of the owner, and that she has a medium-haired white dog or cat.)

A $2700 laptop a year ago (i.e. recent) means that it was a pretty high performance model. Maybe a P4 (about a year ago) or one with significant power requirements. It may have been a desktop replacement. If that is true, then they tend to run much hotter than the average portable laptops. I agree that DTR are portable, but not really.

I use my Dell 700m in bed and no problems. However, I also monitor the temps constantly (it is in the task bar), so I know it is not warming up at all. Chip temp is consistently around 32 degrees centigrade. However, if I am burning discs or whatever, I am usually at my desk.

Liver

 

[jonesthewine]

I use one of these...it gives a very steady base, swivels and raises the back of the laptop and inch or so, creating airflow for cooling.