can't take the heat

As I sit here responding to mobspin, my laptop is burning my legs! Am I going to get some sort of terrible cancer from the heat that my computer generates?

Is there something wrong with my computer that I should be aware of - and if so, what to do??

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asked on Aug 11, 2008

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comments and reviews

Hey Aura, many laptops just run hot. Here's something I bought a while ago that helps a lot!

#1 - posted on Aug 12, 2008 (8:36 am)

Lapinator Portable Insulated Laptop Desk
by Lapinator, Inc.

See it at

Great for couch-surfing

I'm sure it's horrible for my back (and my brain), but I spend far too many evening hours working on my laptop while planted on the couch (usually w/ Mr. Stewart or Mr. Colbert blabbing in the background).

If you do too, you know that a laptop on your knees can get pretty hot — having the laptop mashed against your clothes (or the couch) just makes the heat worse.

This little pad really helps. It's light, comfortable, and really does keep things cooler.

The only downside is that it's one more thing to position/set up each time you sit down to use your laptop.

reviewed by: the poster above

Couldn't agree more...my mac laptop is so hot I have to put it on a pilow. I have read in places that placing the electromagnetic waves too close to your privates (men) can lead to sterility because the heat is too hot for sperm, but never heard anything about cancer.

#2 - posted on Aug 12, 2008 (12:26 pm)

Hey Aura-

The good news here is: no cancer.

A lot of laptops do run hot. Sometimes you can get it to run a bit cooler (and use less energy) by adjusting the power-saving settings.

I advise *against* putting the laptop on a pillow because then the vents on the laptop will be blocked by fluffy pillow goodness. This will cause the laptop to get even hotter, at which point some part within the laptop may overheat and break.

But you can certainly place the laptop on top of any sort of rigid material: a clipboard, hardcover book, etc. Or make your own: take a large piece of cardboard (like from a box), fold it over a couple times for strength, and wrap some tape around it to keep it folded.

#3 - posted on Aug 12, 2008 (12:48 pm)

Obviously I can't tell if your laptop is "too" hot but perhaps to alleviate your fears a bit: my laptop is plenty warm too.

I normally just do as Elliot suggests and put a book underneath. I have to confess that sometimes I use a pillow too. I know it's not the smartest thing to do. And I'm sure everytime I do it from now on I'm going to hear Elliot in my head saying "Bad mike! bad!"

#4 - posted on Aug 12, 2008 (9:45 pm)

I knew I could count on my computer boys.
Thanks fellas.

Cardboard - Elliot - so creative, while not within my aesthetic needs, certainly within the budgetary needs.

Mike - careful now, don't want to mess things up.

#5 - posted on Aug 13, 2008 (6:22 pm)