I have a 12" G4 Powerbook, the model released last year, and it's hot!
May 14, 2005 10:17 AM Subscribe
I have a G4 Powerbook 12" the model released last year, and it's hot. I mean, really physically hot!
I often sit the Powerbook on my lap, and after a couple hours of using it (or 30 minutes of playing World of Warcraft), it gets hot to the point where it's uncomfortable to sit on my lap. This is after having the Powerbook sitting on a thick drawing pad and plastic tray, to try to reduce the impact of the heat on my lap.
What should I use as a shield to sit my laptop on, yet protect my lap? Would a less conductive material, like wood, work better? Or are there devices specifically designed for this? My lap and I thank you.
I often sit the Powerbook on my lap, and after a couple hours of using it (or 30 minutes of playing World of Warcraft), it gets hot to the point where it's uncomfortable to sit on my lap. This is after having the Powerbook sitting on a thick drawing pad and plastic tray, to try to reduce the impact of the heat on my lap.
What should I use as a shield to sit my laptop on, yet protect my lap? Would a less conductive material, like wood, work better? Or are there devices specifically designed for this? My lap and I thank you.
I have the same computer, and just use a book. A side benefit is that I have something interesting to read handy, when I'm not using the computer.
posted by mosch at 11:22 AM on May 14, 2005
posted by mosch at 11:22 AM on May 14, 2005
Best answer: I've had the 12" G4 versions prior and subsequent to yours, and I've found it to be tolerable without lap protection so long as the front left corner isn't resting on bare flesh. This may require adjusting your customary position but it does indeed work, even when the processor is in it's highest performance mode and blazing like the sun.
You can reduce the overall system-to-lap heat exchange by removing the battery if you're plugged in. Both charging and discharging the battery generate quite a bit of heat.
Alternately, consider going with a beanbag lap desk.
(By the way, make sure you pop into the Energy Saver control panel and, under "Options," set the Processor Performance to "Highest." Yes, this will make the system really damn hot, but Warcraft is noticeably smoother on just-barely-fast-enough hardware like the Powerbook 12 than in "Automatic" mode. You can switch it back after you're done. I've comfortably played hours of laptop WoW this way.)
posted by majick at 1:29 PM on May 14, 2005
You can reduce the overall system-to-lap heat exchange by removing the battery if you're plugged in. Both charging and discharging the battery generate quite a bit of heat.
Alternately, consider going with a beanbag lap desk.
(By the way, make sure you pop into the Energy Saver control panel and, under "Options," set the Processor Performance to "Highest." Yes, this will make the system really damn hot, but Warcraft is noticeably smoother on just-barely-fast-enough hardware like the Powerbook 12 than in "Automatic" mode. You can switch it back after you're done. I've comfortably played hours of laptop WoW this way.)
posted by majick at 1:29 PM on May 14, 2005
I have the same machine -- Revision B, yes? -- and i've never had a heat problem; I make sure that all the vents have adequate air, tho. Or, uh, mebbe my lap aint as hot as yours.
posted by docgonzo at 1:29 PM on May 14, 2005
posted by docgonzo at 1:29 PM on May 14, 2005
Response by poster: The beanbag lap desk looks like might do the trick.
I think I also am more sensitive to heat. I'm one of those people that 'runs hot', so to speak, I have always preferred cooler conditions, and when it hits summertime, even in Seattle, I sometimes find the heat unbearable.
posted by spinifex23 at 1:43 PM on May 14, 2005
I think I also am more sensitive to heat. I'm one of those people that 'runs hot', so to speak, I have always preferred cooler conditions, and when it hits summertime, even in Seattle, I sometimes find the heat unbearable.
posted by spinifex23 at 1:43 PM on May 14, 2005
The 12in models of both the PowerBook and the iBook are very toasty on the lower left hand side (that's where the hard drive is-- I took mine apart to investigate). So unless you're doing hard drive intensive activities, try setting your hard drive to spin down as often as possible in the power management settings.
A great lap pad is a small cork bulletin board. Stiff, lightweight, insulating, and cheap.
posted by 4easypayments at 5:20 PM on May 14, 2005
A great lap pad is a small cork bulletin board. Stiff, lightweight, insulating, and cheap.
posted by 4easypayments at 5:20 PM on May 14, 2005
Those bean bag lap desks are just the same as 'lap trays' or 'cushion trays' - trays with bean-bag bases, designed so your lunch doesn't slide off your lap. I've had one for years for my keyboard. I bought it from a household goods shop and it was quite cheap. I don't know how common they are in the US though. You can get them in all kinds of designs
posted by Flitcraft at 6:08 PM on May 14, 2005
posted by Flitcraft at 6:08 PM on May 14, 2005
I've got a superhot G4 15" model (not one of the recalled models, but close), and have been using Antec's Notebook Cooler for about nine months or so. I've used other passive coolers before, but this machine produces way too much heat for them. The Notebook Cooler has two fans built in, and they really make a difference. Plugs into USB port, very little drain on battery. Produces a low level of white noise, which I don't mind, but is an important consideration for some folks.
posted by young_simba at 3:06 AM on May 17, 2005
posted by young_simba at 3:06 AM on May 17, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
Try a google search for "laptop hot lap protector" (without quotes), and you should find more.
posted by amarynth at 10:21 AM on May 14, 2005