This sucker gets HOT!!

OK, so I'm sitting here on my bed, with my laptop on my lap. All I have open is Firefox. My laps starts to feel pretty warm so I reach and all I have to say is WOW!!! The bottom of the laptop was so hot, I could barely leave my hand on it.

Is this normal, or something I should have checked out??

PS I've had the laptop raised off my lap, allowing air flow for about 5 minutes and it's still incredibly hot!

Some people differentiate the terms "notebook" and "laptop" in a way that notebooks are not meant to be used on your bare lap. And, of course, they refer to the MBP as a notebook.

They do get pretty hot, but you have to consider all the work those components are doing in that very confined space. It's a tradeoff between design and comfort, but even the bigger laptops as powerful as the MBP get hot.

I found a quick and easy solution is to us a lap board or lap desk. Not only does it keep the heat off, but it also makes using your computer on your lap much easier and more comfortable.

sounds like you had the laptop just sitting on the sheet.

thats really a no-no for ANY laptop brand. vents are there for a reason!

if you want to check out your temps or control your fans (i am not responsable for any fan/heating mistakes) go to

1. http://www.islayer.com/index.php?op=item&id=7 - istat pro
2. http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/23049 - smc fan control

also google "mac temp database"

Well, where are the vents on this thing? Is it this tiny little slit on the back?

jmeeter said:

Well, where are the vents on this thing? Is it this tiny little slit on the back?

Click to expand...

Not to sound rude...but you bought a $2700 computer. Take 5 minutes and read the manual.

FWIW, I usually put my laptop sleeve between the computer and my legs. It's more comfortable, and takes care of any heat issues.

-Nick

jmeeter said:

Well, where are the vents on this thing? Is it this tiny little slit on the back?

Click to expand...

if you have to ask that, yikes

I bought a macbook a few days ago and started looking for some sort of portable table to sit it on while using it on my lap. Turns out a small, white, plastic (polypropylene I think) cutting board I already owned is an absolute perfect fit for it. It slides into my carrying bag right next to the macbook. It doesn't weigh much and as a bonus, while in the bag it offers considerable additional protection to the computer. You can find these plastic cutting boards practically anywhere, including dollar stores.

Ok, so even when the notebook is sitting on a desk, or any kind of surface... It gets pretty hot!! Is this going to damage the laptop at all? (There's nothing blocking the vents, so it would appear that the air is circulating...

Or, you could decide to let well enough alone, in which case this thread might be of interest:

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76566&highlight=101+things