I want my laptop screen closed, but not _that_ closed.

October 20, 2007 1:18 PM

Is there a doodad that I can hook onto my laptop that will allow me to close it partially, but not let it close all the way? Said gadget should be easily-takeable-offable, too.

My primary computer is my laptop. At night, when I go up to bed, I leave it on my end table. If I leave it all the way open, the cats will come and perch on it for warmth, causing me to have such charming hard drive names as "bvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvzzzzzzzzzx" when I come down in the morning. However, if I tilt the screen forward enough that it's not accessible to the cats, by morning (either by feline monkeying or by gravity) the screen has flopped down and landed on my mouse. I have dark smudges on the screen from where that's happened, and they're bothering me. They will not go away, so I assume the damage is permanent.

So is there a little wedge thing that I can hook onto the laptop (a MacBook Pro, if that matters) which will allow the screen to close a certain amount (30 degree angle, maybe?) but not allow it to smack all the way down onto the mouse?

(Bonus question - anyone know how to get rid of the bruises on my screen? I've tried gentle circular rubbing to no avail. I get stuck pixels in that area now, too.)

posted by Addlepated to computers & internet (8 comments total)

My cat will actually use my laptop keyboard as a scratching post, tearing off all of the keys (17" MBP. Not fun.

A rolled up sock works. So does underwear, for that matter.
Other things I've used: paperback book, coffee cup, another laptop, ruler and a shoe to name a few.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 1:40 PM on October 20, 2007

Is there any reason you don't just close the lid and let it go to sleep? A MacBook Pro wake from sleep pretty quick.

Not sure why your mouse is on your keyboard (assume it is to keep your laptop lid from closing down completely), but you can try leaving a koosh ball or something similar on the wrist guard.

From your limited description, it sounds like you are making this more complicated than it needs to be, but that may be due to another dynamic that you are trying to preserve (e.g., you don't want the computer hard drive to sleep).
posted by qwip at 1:41 PM on October 20, 2007

qwip - I often need to leave my laptop running overnight for various reasons. Sometimes, sleep is not an option.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 1:44 PM on October 20, 2007

You want to download and install Insomnia. It lets you force your MBP to run with the lid closed.

If you actually don't need your laptop running all night, put it to sleep and get it into a feline free area.
posted by nathan_teske at 1:44 PM on October 20, 2007 [1 favorite]

Ooh, that Insomnia might be just the ticket - thanks.

I need my computer to run at night, or it'd be a non-issue to close it down. I have a wrist-rug on the computer to allow for a mousing surface, since most of the time the laptop is sitting in my lap while I'm in my comfy chair.

If I can keep the feline marauders from eating a Koosh ball, that might by another good choice.
posted by Addlepated at 2:18 PM on October 20, 2007

The anal-retentive guide to laptop care suggests not leaving your laptop running at night. But I do it too. Might be a good idea to close the top and place it upside down overnight, so heat can radiate up and away and preserve the life of your laptop.
posted by Brian James at 2:47 PM on October 20, 2007

Set it down on its side (that's what I do with mine at night).
posted by davey_darling at 3:23 PM on October 20, 2007

What about overheating with the lid closed? I was going to use insomnia with netstumble and that was a concern. Make sure it has air circulating around it at least--stick it on some small objects to raise the base a bit.
posted by craniac at 8:36 AM on October 23, 2007