Lap desk for heated MBP?

Question

Lap desk for heated MBP?

Hey folks,
I have only recently bought a 15" 2.4GHz MBP. Being a lazy bum, I have the habit of using my laptops on my lap or bed. However, I have a feeling that my new MBP (not even a month old!) tends to heat up a lot when I use it on my lap or lying down on the bed. Will you advice to buy a "lap desk" or sth that will help in cooling my mbp? I do not usually prefer using my notebook on a desk as a desktop and would therefore be willing to spend a little more in order to use it as a real laptop. What is the solution to this? Which are the better lap desks? Or is using a pillow or notebook in between the lap and the base of MBP is fine? Please advice...

Macbook Pro 2.4GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Sep 22, 2008 1:13 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,296 points

Sep 22, 2008 5:51 AM in response to Stanley Ipkiss

I would not use a pillow. These notebooks cool via their base. I would get either a notebook stand, or external Antec Notebook cooling fan that connects via USB to keep your machine cool. Several of these have a pass through USB port.

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Answer 2

makus

Level 1

0 points

Sep 22, 2008 10:08 AM in response to Stanley Ipkiss

check out the ilap product.

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Answer 3

Sep 22, 2008 10:18 AM in response to Stanley Ipkiss

Here is the link to check out the iLap, can be found on the Apple store too. http://www.raindesigninc.com/ilap.html

If you notice Apple call their Macbook, MBP and MBA "Portables" due to the ventilation for the heat to be based on the bottom and the back of the units so it is not recommended to have them on your lap or bed.

PC's call them "Notebooks" now basically for the same reason, it's a name game that might have been brought on by lawsuit or just better judgement.

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Answer 4

Oct 7, 2008 9:23 PM in response to Stanley Ipkiss

The only suggestion that people have given so far is the Antec cooling fan and iLap by raindrop. Is that the only one people use? I found the features of Targus Chill Mat for Mac slightly better than that for iLap. Here is the link http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=AWE41US Has anyone used the Targus one? The iLap does not have even a cooling fan, so should i go just for another aluminum base that is marketed by Apple's site? The Antec one appears better than the iLap too. I primarily want to use the MBP on my lap or lying down on my bed. Please help.

Any other reviews about the various options for a lapdesk are welcome. I dont want to regret buying the wrong one after making the purchase.

Thanks!

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Answer 5

Oct 22, 2008 11:15 AM in response to Stanley Ipkiss

You might want to check out wwww.lapdawg.com. The desk is expensive, but nice. I managed to break the locking mechanism in one of the legs (totally my fault, really nothing against the product itself) but I'm still using it in a "diminished capacity".

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Answer 6

redd1

Level 1

4 points

Oct 26, 2008 8:49 AM in response to Stanley Ipkiss

Hi Stanley,

I've used an iLap on my 17" MBP for almost a year, and have absolutely no problems with it. As you'll know, these big MBP's get really hot, and this just dissipates the heat superbly.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 7

Allan Jones

Level 9

77,858 points

Oct 26, 2008 11:32 AM in response to Stanley Ipkiss

I can't resist throwing in the low-tech approach. My MBP site atop some plastic children's construction blocks about 3/4-inch thick (19mm). I have one at each corner. They nicely interlock and nest so, when I travel, they go into the bag with the rest of the kit. Very cost-effective; they were in the garage sale box!

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