sewmom

My DH was always yelling at me to keep the air vent clear. So I started using a lap board- micro-bead pillow on one side and a board on the other. Works really nice. Then he bought a lapboard thing with a fan in it and built in speakers so the audio is higher. Now that one is really cool!

wildyard

I use a laptop all the time because I cannot sit comfortably at a desk. I purchased a child's craft and eating tray that has built in containers on each side that serve as legs. This solid surface always keeps the airvents open and my laptop cool. The containers serve to hold items that I use often handy to my reach. I use the cup container to hold pens, pencils, markers, etc. one rectangular unit I keep filled with scrap papers for notes about links and websites I want to visit, names of patterns, etc. The larger rectangular unit I keep my mouse, glasses, napkins, cell phone, and other handy things in. This works so well for me because it also keeps the laptop off my lap and legs when the fibro is acting up and having such things on my body is painful. The tray also raises the laptop to the perfect typing level for me. Mine has Disney princesses on it, but they don't show with the laptop on it. These trays usually sell for around $6. I think. I wouldn't be without mine!
I keep a TV tray beside my chair and the tray fits perfectly across it with the legs hanging down on either side so it can't slide off. That is where it sits when I am not using it.

urgodschild2

I have a cooling fan that I use with my laptop and it works great. I don't need to put a pillow or anything else underneath it. They are not expensive so worth the price.

craftymatt2

Thank you for reminding, i do not do this, because i had heard this before, but i will remind my grandson

shelburn

Another problem that might cause problems with computer towers that should be checked before calling the repair geek is shutting down after a short time of use. Our large computer was shutting down constantly and my husband, who is a jack of all trades, took the cover off to see what might be causing this. He found dust inside the fan area, causing the fan to shut off. We cleaned it up, put the cover back on and it works like a champ. We saved ourselves a hefty repair bill! Hope this might help someone out there.

auniqueview

My other laptop started turning itself off, and was very hot when it did it. After I thought about it for a while, I had my son get out the vacuum cleaner and completely suck out every last speck of dust we could get from the vents and the fan area. Then, I made sure I used the laptop propped up, so that the bottom was not sitting flat, blocking the vents and fan. No more problem with shutting down and overheating. You would be amazed at the amount of dirt these things can suck up. DO NOT USE CANNED AIR. It just forces the dirt further in. I was just noticing I really need to vacuuum the keyboard of this one, lol.

Btw, I still use both laptops.

butterflies5518

Thanks for the info, mine sits on a lap top table always. Never hurts to be reminded again to continue using it.

Annaquilts

All my kids do this. Especially my son with the older laptop has problems and needs to be careful. Thank you for reminding us to be safe. I will discuss it with my kids. Teh alrger laptops tend to be prone to over heating too. I always use mine on a hard surface and DH uses special little coasters under his laptop that is both older and large.

bjcombs2022

I have a metal "table" the exact size of my laptop, and it sets on a slant. Built into the table is a fan, and the fan gets it's power by beinging plugged into a USB port on my computer! It was very inexpensive! I have a 6 month old laptop that gets so hot I am afraid to sit it on the counter without the metal table. As hot as the counter gets I can only imagine what it could do to a sheet! Thanks for the info Ditter! You may have saved a life!

cathyvv

NEVER put the power supply on your bed, your couch, under blankets, etc. Found out the hard way how quickly the power supply heats up. Luckily, no fire, but my fingers felt burned when took it from between the couch cushions!