Neoprene sleeve as underlay pad for notebook and how often to take apart to clean fan

[virtuality]

2 part question

1) If I still(!) use a fanned, as opposed to a fanless laptop, how often it is supposed to be taken apart and the internals, most importantly the fan, cleaned? Apple (if we're talking about MacBooks but it can be any make, of course) are just not talking officially about any of these things, my hunch is, because they just find the whole thing (all the grue and dust under the hood) just to gross, even if it's the truth.

2) For a minimalist travel set, is the neoprene sleeve I put the laptop into anyways makes it a good laptop underlay pad as well, as a 2nd role? The laptop underlay sleeve should be made of material not collecting grue and dust, that's all I know.

Your thoughts, experiences?

 

[TheStu]

1: It depends on your environment. I think I've popped the bottom off of my MacBook Air twice since I bought it in 2011. And both times the fan wasn't all /that/ gross. But, YMMV, so if you're in a particularly dusty environment, or noticing issues, go for it.

2: Neoprene is an excellent INSULATOR, and as such may not allow the laptop to cool itself as well. Some laptops have vents on the bottom that need to be open so that fresh air can be drawn in.

 

[Mushkins]

OEMs aren't talking about it because technically internal fans are not a user serviceable part. Opening the chassis of the laptop they sold to clean out a fan will void your warranty in most cases.

That being said, I think i've done this approximately never. Unless you live in somewhere with serious dust and humidity issues the fans will probably outlast the lifespan of the laptop.

 

[Raduque]

I live in dusty Midland/Odessa here in west Texas. I've taken the bottom off my Y50 twice in the year I owned it to clean the fans and the filter cloth on the intake.

Edit: Oh yes, the neoprene sleeve will probably kill your laptop if you put it under the machine - lack of airflow will cause overheating.