How is opening the lid better for cooling? The vents are in the back so when the lid is closed the vents are unobstructed. I've just never heard of anyone opening the lid before, so I'm curious.
I use mine in clamshell (lid fully closed) when I watch network TV shows (nbc.com, etc.) with my MBP connected to one of my televisions and never noticed any excessive heat.
Go ahead and feel the left side of your MacBook by the speaker/charging port. Feel how hot it is right there ? Not only does air and heat go through the back panel, but it will exit through the keyboard and near the speaker well, too. Opening the shell simply allows more air to surround that space and exit out the back. Think of it as an entry point for cooler air. I'm also pretty sure that there is enough crack space in the keys to let air in there as well. Leaving the case closed, means that ONLY the hot air generated by the CPU is built up inside and vented.
But hey.. I'll do it my way, and you can do it your way. ;D
Nice pic Doug. I wish my setup looked that well organized. Mine has cables running everywhere partly due to the type of stand I have. With it in place the laptop has to be on top of the desk. What are you using and how is it for cooling that way.
Ah the wonders of PS5 and content aware cloning ! I HATE wires. While it's true that my setup isn't a total cluster F in terms of cables and wires, it's also not as neat as you see it in the pic. I cloned out some wires because they were distracting.
What I'm using is an Antec cooler. First one on this page:
Antec laptop cooling
It works well enough and has a dual fan speeds. Low and High. The cable which powers the unit also doubles as an USB port so you're not losing the one you plugged it into. But looking further down the page, I'm seeing one that I think looks much nicer and is more functional. It's the "cables Unlimited" one for 24$ Has 2 USB 2.0 ports and a card reader.
I've never had an issue with my MBP this way, in terms of overheating or anything, and I've put my machine through the paces set up like this. I've done extensive PS and Lightroom editing and play Urban Terror on a semi-regular basis. Not a glitch. And I love that the laptop is out of sight.
@MymacROX (great name BTW) I think the effect of having the lid open depends upon which laptop you have. Some of the older models seemed to vent a significant amount of heat upward through the keyboard.
This is true too. Mine is the late 08' MBP Aluminum, and it does vent a lot of the heat through the keyboard and generally upward. But I would do this as well with my late 09 13" MBP.
Doug