BlogHer - Is Your Laptop Having A HotFlash? - Comments

I thought it was just me!!

KateM — Tue, 15 May 2007 11:39:13 -0500

I am having this issue all the time. I thought perhaps my laptop was taking umbridge at the sexual content of my work - I can't help it, I write about sex and virginity.
Was my mac, perhaps a little shy?
Apparently not. I should have realised, because not only is it having hot flushes, it is also suffering the occasional black out, to the extent that I now back up constantly to a USB. My dear mac, you are four years old. Please, please don't conk out before I finish this book!!

excellent option

Denise — Mon, 14 May 2007 20:40:43 -0500

Very similar to my platform cooling pad. And like you I appreciate no USB port - that is a huge problem for me with the other cooling pads when I'm using my old work laptop!

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

A DIY alternative

GoingLikeSixty — Mon, 14 May 2007 20:04:46 -0500

I have a fan thingy like you describe. Since I am a recline-o-blogger, I actually have the laptop in my lap!
So I don't have good circulation where I need it - my lap.
Here's a nice solution - if you are handy, which I am not.
I hope someone markets these soon. I like the slant and the fact that it doesn't take up a USB port.
http://lifehacker.com/software/diy/make-your-own-laptop-stand-260245.php

the podium

Denise — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:05:07 -0500

When I travel on short trips, I don't always take it because it adds extra weight to my bag lol. But for a long trip it is easy to slip into the laptop bag - the little stackable thingies come right off and can be tucked into a pocket and the board itself lays flat. I really do love it a lot more than the other two cooling pads we have.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

I have this problem too....

Catherine Morgan — Mon, 14 May 2007 11:58:43 -0500

I have this problem too...although I didn't know it could cause so much damage. I now keep about a one inch thick book under my lap top...it has seemed to help. Do you know if this is good enough...or do I really need to invest $$$ in one of these coolpads?

Catherine Morgan
Women 4 Hope and Be The Change You Want To See In Yourself

Reused wrist protector

Virginia DeBolt — Mon, 14 May 2007 10:36:04 -0500

I have the back of my laptop propped up on the former rubber wrist rest that I used back when I had a keyboard. Creates an airflow similar to your podium coolpad but isn't so portable for planes and presentations. Think I'll look into your idea.

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

I've tried a variety

Denise — Mon, 14 May 2007 09:37:58 -0500

I've tried several different varieties of chill pads and cool pads and the one I really like the most doesn't have a fan at all - it's a Targus as well but it's a podium coolpad.

I am online from my bed almost all day (and night) and have been using this coolpad for years. I love it and it seems to work well.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

Same problem... different solution...

debra roby — Mon, 14 May 2007 08:45:17 -0500

Elena,

I own the same model as you and have been having the same problem when the weather gets warmer. Talked to Geek Squad technician in the store (thank goodness for that extended warrenty).. and they will ship mine away for a two-week spa treatment. They'll fix/replace the fan (which probably has dog hair packed in like everything else in the house), re-seat something or other, try to fix what they can.

Fortunately, we're headed off for a 2 week cruise in a couple weeks. Gee.. the whole family is going on vacation!

I do have a chillpad that I try to remember to use. You can't use them with the longer time batteries, as the computer just doesn't fit.

But wouldn't you think something CALLED a laptop would be designed to safely sit on your lap??

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

I'm on a mission

Elana Centor — Mon, 14 May 2007 08:40:28 -0500

For those of us who are passionate about working in bed or for that matter having a laptop on our laps,being ignorant about the damage we are causing is simply inexcusable. Search Google and you won't find much about it.So it's up to us. Just think of the motherboards we could save.

elana
Blogher Contributing Editor,Business&CareersFunnyBusiness

Elana, THANK YOU!

Birdie Jaworski — Mon, 14 May 2007 08:35:14 -0500

Elana, I have been having this problem with my computer! My only machine is a laptop, and it's old, but like you I need to keep it for another year or two. I know mine overheats - I can heard it complain when I work in bed! I am going to check out the Chill Pad immediately!

Birdie
Birdie's BlogHer Blog
La Pajaro
Beauty Dish

Is Your Laptop Having A HotFlash?

Elana Centor — Mon, 14 May 2007 06:04:17 -0500

Among the many problems that my computer was suffering from last week, turns out it was having serial hotflashes-- a condition I was totally unaware laptops experienced. Fortunately there is a treatment available--unfortunately most people aren't aware of it.

Although I don't particularly enjoy paying the fee for a home visit from The Geek Squad, I know that my conversation with the agent in charge of the repair will always be interesting and fodder for a blog post.

Friday's visit was no exception. It had been a tough week.Spontaneous shutdowns. Moving at a snail's pace. Freezing in mid sentence.It was exhausting.

While I had suspicions that my laptop had been invaded by a spy-- my first clue:the nefarious ABOUT:BLANK screen popped up ever so quickly on the screen--(yes, I have multiple moats protecting my computer--the spy still invaded it),I had no idea that the spy was the least of my problems. Agent Ethan quickly identified the spy and executed it.

The real problem, according to Agent Ethan, is that my computer is failing to cool down. Evidently, this is a fatal condition. Too many hot flashes and the motherboard fries.

Agent Ethan was consoling but directive: I should start looking for another laptop.

I am not in the market for a new laptop. I just bought my son one a couple of months ago. I need to buy my daughter one before she goes to college in the fall. According to my life plan, my HP Pavilion dv1000 needs to be my constant companion until sometime in 2008.

It's funny what you learn when you ask a simple question like "What causes a laptop to overheat?"

Turns out my morning (and evening) rituals of working in bed with my laptop posed comfy cozy on top of my duvet-covered down comforter is absolutely the worst thing you can do to a laptop. As agent Ethan said, " Never put a laptop on cloth."

Okay.I won't do that again. But shouldn't that be in the instruction booklet? Shouldn't this be common knowledge even to someone who is not technology advanced? Considering that I've worked with laptops for 15 years, you'd think I would know this little bit of data.

I didn't. I asked if most people knew this. Agent Ethan shook his head.

"So, can I reverse the damage I've done?" At this point my voice was reflecting the near panic I was experiencing at the thought my down comforter might have killed my computer.

Agent Ethan just shook his head again.

"Well, should I start putting ice under the computer to cool it off?"

"No!!! You don't want to do that." I won't describe the look he gave me for this suggestion.

At this point I said, "You'd think if this were such a common problem that someone would have created a product to keep laptops from having a hotflash"

That's when Agent Ethan shared there was such a product. It's called The ChillHub
Judy's Book ran a review of the ChillHub sometimes called Chill Pad or Chill Mat.

Get a Targus Chill Pad. It's the size of a laptop (length and width) but less than an inch thick. It's USB powered and sits between your laptop and your lap or between the laptop and you desk.

Using 2 - 1500rpm fans it will move 28 cubic feet of air per minute keeping your thighs and laptop cool.

With the exaggerated processing power of laptops these days, it's impossible to keep them running as cool as necessary for both the machine and your legs. Additionally, batteries run hotter to be able to last as long as we'd like.

It's almost impossible to sit with the laptop touching your skin for too long anymore, but with the Chill Pad, that hot air is circulated out and keeps cool air flowing in.

If your laptop is hotflashing and you don't think the cause is duvet induced, Technology Past IT Solution Provider ofers up five tips for eliminating laptop hotflashes including avoiding the kitchen.

You might well be thinking what madness is this, but I've found that a lot of people use their laptops in the kitchen. Plainly put, this is not good. Not only might there be heat from various appliances, there's also going to be steam. Have you looked at the top of your kitchen cupboards lately? Yes, well, you don't want that in your laptop. But even if you work in a home office, consider turning the radiator off, or at least down.

Despite the fact that Agent Ethan left at the height of rush hour, I immediately headed over to the nearest Best Buy and picked up my very own $49.99 Chill Pad.

No more hot flashes. My computer is happy. My duvet is happy. I am happy. In fact I'm downright optimistic that thanks to the chillpad my laptop just may make it to 2008.

Agent Ethan indicated that most laptop owners are not aware of the need for a chillpad. So do your good deed today. Save a motherboard. Avoid a hotflash.

Allow your computer to chill.

Image Credit: Flickr member erlin1

Elana writes about business culture at FunnyBusiness