Laptop users: keeping your lap and computer cool

[danaeris]

I'm looking at possible options for lapdesks for laptops. I want something that is comfortable to have sitting on my lap, will keep the heat away from my legs, and will also help keep the laptop itself cool, since rumour has it that if the laptop consistently heats up, it can cause wear and tear on the parts.

Anyone have recommendations? And, anyone in Toronto or nearby, who I know, who owns a device designed for this purpose that I could try out (fan or no fan)?

So far the ones I'm eyeing are:
The Lapinator

The XPad

The iLap

Yes, none of them have fans. The powered laptop coolers will take up more battery and in some cases a USB port. And most of them are not really meant for use on your lap and would not be terribly comfortable to rest on my lap for extended periods of time. I also got the impression from some of my research that the fans don't make that huge a difference when compared to simply providing room for air to circulate underneath the laptop.

The Lapinator has had a lot of positive reviews by bloggers/online publications, plus the highest rating of the lapdesk laptop coolers on Amazon (4.75/5). But it has only had 4 reviews on Amazon.

The XPad has not received much media attention, and the one post I found was negative. It has a 3.5/5 rating on Amazon, from 45 reviews.

The iLap has gotten a lot of positive media attention. I AM concerned, just a little, about the angle. For some mysterious reason, keyboard and lapdesk manufacturers the world over seem to be fixated on raising the back of the keyboard, which is the OPPOSITE of what should be done. This comes up with the iLap. The wrist rest may make up for that... or it might not, in which case I'd be risking another bout of RSI in my wrists.

Anyway, I'm not sure which of these I want to go for... but I definitely want to get something soon!

Comments

[nathanjw]

At home we have a couple of EZ-Lap stands. Super-cheap and simple, and just elevating the laptop enough so that there's air under it does most of the job.

[secretsoflife.livejournal.com]

go with the fanless ones. there's benefit alreadyin having a hard surface so that the laptop's built-in cooling can do its thing :)

computers vs. wrists, legs

[http://users.livejournal.com/_duncan/]

fixated on raising the back of the keyboard
Usually I find public computer keyboards have the feet extended on the back and a wrist pad sitting in front. After folding up the feet and sliding the wrist pad under the front edge of the keyboard they're pretty much right for my typing style.

On the laptop thing I know it doesn't make for good ad-selling magazine copy but my first choices would be things already in the kitchen -- a tray or cutting board should restore the effectiveness of the laptop's own little foot pads and won't block air vents as much as a big squishy X or a pair of thighs.

[pusifoot.livejournal.com]

You could always do with the iLap what I do with my coolpad - use it backwards.

see, the coolpad lifts the back also, but for my lappy (gamer machine) the heat is all in front on the video card, so *that* is the bit that needs the ventilation. So use the coolpad backwards and it works like a charm.

[phoenix-keika.livejournal.com]

Personally, I just sit with my knees slightly apart, so that the edges of the laptop are sitting on my legs. That way, my legs don't get burnt, and the laptop itself gets a bit more space to project heat and cool itself off. I used to have a problem with overheating = freezing, but when I sent it for repairs, they just said that they cleaned out the fans, and I haven't had the problem since. I know you can buy very small USB-powered fans from places like the Source or Staples, granted that would take a USB port, but it would be a much cheaper solution.