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My laptop seems to get very hot. the fan on the side is always warm to hot. even the front where I rest my wrists gets warm. Is this normal? I have a Toshiba if that matters…
thanks
Higher the AC.
I saw something (I think in staples) and in a catalog in the mail made for laptops that get hot. Its a portable workstation meant for laptops, books etc. I can get you more info if you like. As for the original question, I have lenovo which B”H doesn’t get hot, but I would think that most do…
I can’t speak for your particular model, but yes – it is normal for some laptops to get quite warm.
There have even been cases where people wearing shorts have gotten burned by keeping their laptops on their laptops.
In addition, the heat emitted on an actual person’s laptop can cause health related issues.
Running CPU-intensive apps such as an anti-virus scan, excel with heavy calculations and so on can cause the CPU to heat up.
no problem, if you want I could check if theres a site for whatever catalog it is…
does this mean I get to be queen again? 😉
What’s the question? YES!!
good ol’ mepal! What would my ego be like without you? Tell me when you become a mod so I’ll really be re-queened. 😉
(ahem, ahem, cough..) And is it not good enough when GOOD MEPAL corronates as well??
what’s the question? no
for me, definitely. Problem is, I have no clout anymore. (ahem, ahem)
Oh you mods again…always bursting the bubble. 😉
Additional info;
It is extremely important that all ventilation holes are unobstructed. Working on a soft surface, such as a bed, blanket or carpet can wholly or partially obstruct vent holes.
There are products sold that raise the laptop to facilitate airflow and cooling (as “kapusta” alluded to).
As with all PCs, heat is the greatest cause of component failure, and laptops are more vulnerable than desktops because of the way all components must be squashed into a small space.
YW Moderator-72-
Laptop platforms with built-in cooling fans are also sold.
That said, it can’t hurt, but I’m not saying it’s something that all laptops need.
My almost-five-year-old laptop runs hot, and I’ve never done anything special to keep it cool – just made sure that the vents are unobstructed and the fan is running.
(Then again, a relative who bought the same model at the same time had his fail two years ago…)
There’s a reason why laptops are now called notebooks…
Check with Toshiba to make sure your laptop doesn’t have a recall for battery issues. Some batteries have been known to explode and burst into flame. Not much fun when it’s on your lap.
I hear that started happening to ipods. Don’t leave them in the heat, or KAPOW!
I have a Toshiba and had the same issue. A computer technician told me to keep it on a slant. I often lean it on a phone book or something that lets the bottom part get some air.
Don’t you every get a crick in your neck trying to read the screen?
So will it hurt the computer if it gets pretty warm on the bottom? Besides for my personal comfort (and I wouldnt wear shorts so wont have the problem of burning myself) what should I be aware of?
veyatziv-
YW Moderator-72-
Sometimes the low-tech solution works best 🙂
havesomeseichel-
So will it hurt the computer if it gets pretty warm on the bottom?
No, excessive heat and overheating can damage the computer.
It would be nice if each laptop came with a thermostat and a manual that had temperature ranges for good, OK, danger, and CPU toast.
There is a whole “PC chassidus” revolving around cooling systems for PC’s, using water-cooled systems, multiple fans and the like, but that is for desktops since they have enough room in the case for additional equipment.
I use a laptop on my lap very often- comes in handy in the Winter…
noitall, LOL!
ICOT- thanks… can you inform me about what is “excessive”? What kind of surface material is best to place your laptop on to prevent overheating?
havesomeseichel-
can you inform me about what is “excessive”?
I wish I had hard-and-fast numbers, but I don’t (sorry). The pretty-much-useless answer is: hot enough to damage your PC’s components.
What kind of surface material is best to place your laptop on to prevent overheating?
Worst – soft, that the PC can sink in to and block ventilation holes.
Better – hard, so the vents are unobstructed and a little air gets under the PC.
Good – Raising the PC for additional under-the-case ventilation (as “veyatziv” and “YW Moderator-72” have done).
Best – a under-the-case appliance that has fans for additional cooling. Google “laptop cooling pad”. I don’t have any firsthand knowledge of specific pads.
ICOT- thanks for the info. I guess it was wrong of me to place my computer on my couch while it was on. If its working i guess it hasnt overheated. Paper or books underneath the computer- are they in danger of being a fire hazard? thanks again
havesomeseichel-
You’re very welcome.
Paper or books underneath the computer- are they in danger of being a fire hazard?
Not that I’ve ever heard. Something hot enough to ignite paper would have to be hot enough to do major damage to anything it touched, and that should never happen.
My plastic tablecloth has gotten brittle in the spot where the hot laptop sits
Meritline is selling a foldable USB powered cooler for $3 with FS using this code MLC400223082650N
Paper or books underneath the computer- are they in danger of being a fire hazard?
The lowest temperature at which spontaneous ignition of paper occurs (meaning that it lights up without a source flame) is at Farenheit 451 degrees.
The melting temperature of the type of plastic materials most likely to be found in computers is much lower – in the range of 300 to 400 degrees Farenheit (it varies between grade of plastic, but most computers are made from a narrow range of plastics).
The melting temperature of the solder that is holding together most of the electronic computer components is even lower – most conventional solders re-flow at around 360 degrees Farenheit. And many electronic components require a re-flow temperature less than 260 degrees Farenheit.
So, to answer your question, the entire computer would melt to a blob and the motherboard would come apart well before a piece of paper would catch fire spontaneously. But there’s no danger – most computers operate at only 175 degrees or so, without considering cooling systems.
can someone lend me their laptop? I’m freeeeezing here!
Sorry mepal but I beat you to that joke!!!
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/computer-heat#post-92365
In case anybody tried to get the deal I posted the other day but got there too late, here is a new code for today:
MLC400223082850N
Meritline is selling a foldable USB powered cooler for $3 with Free Shipping using this code (see new code above)
noitall, that was no joke! In the office, it gets freeeezing in the summer. (yes, the men control the thermostat 🙁 )
Gut Voch- so you should buy one of those mini heaters for your office…they work wonders (my wife has to use one!!!)
We do have one too. Being that there are other peeps in the room that are always hot, regardless of the temperature….
Laptops can overheat and be damaged if ventilation is blocked. Even when vents are unobstructed, they can get very hot. There is a program called core-temp, I believe, which can be downloaded, that allows you to monitor temp of CPU.
Its always good to gert external cooling.
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