Lap-top laptop cooling system?

May 9, 2006 5:01 PM

What's a good laptop cooling system for, you know, your lap?

All the cooling systems for laptops (sorry... "notebook computers") I see are designed for desktops, and seem impractical (at best) for lap use. Are there any designed to securely hold the laptop and whisk out hot air while on your lap?

posted by mkultra to Computers & Internet (17 answers total)

I have one of these. There's no whisking involved though. The heat passively transfers and your lap doesn't get warm.
posted by birdherder at 5:11 PM on May 9, 2006

I used to use a Targus ChillMat that had built in fans, and it was perfect for using my notebook in my lap.
posted by anjamu at 5:23 PM on May 9, 2006

In my experience only the P4 and Athalon laptops really have heat problems. I am perfectly comfortable sitting with my pentium M notbook on my lap for extended periods of time.

Also the p4's will overheat if you just leave them on the carpet, whereas i can wrap mine up in a blanket and watch a movie on it without any trouble.

But to answer your question, yes there are devices such as
These things but i find that they are too clunky and take away from the overall portability that makes laptops great.

have you tried using a book?
posted by I_am_jesus at 5:24 PM on May 9, 2006

This, by the way, is why the manufacturers are so careful to call them notebooks instead of laptops. Heaven forbid anyone should get the impression that these device can be placed in one's lap. Hahahaha.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 5:28 PM on May 9, 2006

Best answer: Seconding the book suggestion. I have a Thinkpad R40 that gets warm on my lap after awhile. More high-tech devices may keep the laptop itself cooler, but I just use phone books. In my area at least they're perfectly sized, thick enough, and commonly available because one is dumped on my doorstep every three months or so.
posted by komilnefopa at 5:34 PM on May 9, 2006

I went to Home Depot and got them to cut me a piece of 1/4 inch MDF in roughly the dimensions of my laptop. Cost about $3. Mine's still a bit too big but if you measured it (I didn't) you could get it in a laptop bag easy.
posted by jimmythefish at 5:39 PM on May 9, 2006

I use the large size (17" x 20") kitchen hot mat. Plenty of room for an external trackball (or mouse), lightweight for stuffing into the laptop case while traveling, and doubles as a desk protector/writing surface when in hotel rooms. Easily and cheaply replaced if bent/destroyed/given away.
posted by paulsc at 5:44 PM on May 9, 2006

I just put mine on my lap, but you might have pretty fair luck with plain old lap desk.
posted by majick at 6:23 PM on May 9, 2006

I second the phone book idea. most use I've gotten out of it yet.
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 6:42 PM on May 9, 2006

Slightly off topic, I have always wondered if using a laptop in one's lap, if you are male, does really contribute to sterility.
posted by jeanmari at 7:06 PM on May 9, 2006

I use The Gang of Four hardcover to keep my nards cool.
posted by furtive at 7:09 PM on May 9, 2006

Something to keep in mind with using your "notebook" in your lap is that when using many laptops in your lap, your pants often times cover the air vents for the hot air to escape. This will in turn cause the laptop to get hotter.

And I'll chime in with everyone else. I just use what ever book is close by.
posted by chrisroberts at 7:47 PM on May 9, 2006

I have a big NYC skyline book (11"x14") that's hardcover and less than half an inch thick (basically 30-40 pages of high-gloss professional photos) and fairly light. Absolutely fucking perfect for the task.
posted by Ryvar at 10:06 PM on May 9, 2006

This is great, and doubles as a tabletop laptop stand.
posted by gottabefunky at 10:17 PM on May 9, 2006

I quite often use a laptop tray - one of those trays for serving food to people who are sitting down which is flat on the top and has some bean-bag type filling underneath.
posted by rongorongo at 11:47 PM on May 9, 2006

I use an aluminum cookie sheet. It lifts the computer off my lap and absorbs a ton of heat. It also cools fast.
posted by cgc373 at 2:35 AM on May 10, 2006

I've heard decent things about this USB-powered cooler.
posted by mikeh at 7:32 AM on May 10, 2006