using a laptop on bed...

[andrewjm]

What do you guys recommend if you have to use a laptop on a bed? Should you just put it on a book? The fan blows out the back, not the bottom, however the bottom is hot when in use... I can't see a reason why not to just use it on the sheets as long as it blows out the back... Any ideas/comments?

 

[chin311]

yeah, i used mine flat on the bed once, sucker got SUPPEEERR hot, never did that again...

now i usually put it on a big book or something flat and hard, so the little rubber feet on the bottom can keep it elevated to ventilate.

 

[NeoMadHatter]

i use a lapdesk when i do that. usually works just fine. i think it's like $10 at like linen's and things.

 

[kayatai]

You could also try a 3 ring binder if you have a smallish laptop and one lying around.

 

[Metalloid]

I just put mine on the bed and haven't had problems, but it is older and maybe doesn't produce quite as much heat as yours.

 

[NeoMadHatter]

i think he's more worried about the heat burning his lap. not the bed so much.

 

[MWink]

It depends on the laptop. My Inspiron 8200 got so hot I never used it anywhere but my desk. My new IBM T40 runs so cool the bottom barely gets warm.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: MWink
It depends on the laptop. My Inspiron 8200 got so hot I never used it anywhere but my desk. My new IBM T40 runs so cool the bottom barely gets warm.

Interesting. Would be nice if reviews would rate this sort of thing!

 

[Viper0329]

Originally posted by: vegetation

Originally posted by: MWink
It depends on the laptop. My Inspiron 8200 got so hot I never used it anywhere but my desk. My new IBM T40 runs so cool the bottom barely gets warm.

Interesting. Would be nice if reviews would rate this sort of thing!

I agree. Temps would be an excellent idea in laptop reviews. I use my T40 in bed all the time. It runs very cool, and I never fear of burning my legs.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

When Anandtech does the rare notebook review they do address the heating issue BTW, i have one of these and it's great! I position my 900z so that 1 of the 60mm fans is blowing directly on the rubber cover where the ram is and the IGP320M GPU seems to channel heat and it keeps the whole thing cool. I've used it to crunch SETI 24/7 for 5 weeks once during a race and it really kept it cool, I don't think I would have attempted it without the cooler.

 

[TubStain]

Never use a laptop on on the sheets.

1) Anything that the laptop can sink in is BAD, even if it's a quarter of an inch
2) Bedding doesnt allow air to flow freely under the laptop, it compounds the heat, keeping it close to the surface, EVEN if its blowing out the back

I deal with many laptops and from experience we give that standard warning to all of our users. Your CPU will burnup really quickly.

 

[Foghorn]

I agree, they are designed have some sort of airflow under the base.