Q: Why is it a bad thing when a laptop runs hot?

[Bradjar]

I often hear folks say "its a great laptop, but it runs hot...". I want to know:

- why does it run hot? Is it the HDD or processor, generally, that is the culprit?
- why is running hot bad? obviously, I suppose it's inefficient, but beyond that is there any downside?

Laptop newbie. Have had a Compaq v2305 for a month, no complaints

[Cafe_333]

1) Both are the biggest culprits. The motherboard, videocard, and interal power supply also generate heat as well.
2) Anything hardware running hot is bad. It shortens the lifespan of the hardware if not adequately cooled.

[xilinx]

a couple reasons:

most of the heat is generated from teh cpu. also gfx if you've got a mobile gaming card and ur in a game, and a bit from the hdd. it's bad because it causes teh fan(s) to start spinning...which quickly drainly you're battery. that's perhaps the biggest problems.

other problems simply are a hot laptop. if it's too close to your ballz, the heat will raise the temperature inside the scrotum, and can kill you're sperm. there's a reason why it hangs low (to lower temp slightly less then body 37).

those are the reasons i can think of right now. i'm sure they're more.

[zerocool24]

THe major culprit is generally the cpu in most laptops.

Heat ruins electronics (get much lower usage out of them). It is also not good if you actually keep it on your lap as your lap heats up too.

[rai_dei]

All laptops run hot, some hotter than others... It happens because of the cramped space plus the heat given off by the working components
Running too hot may have a downside in terms of some of the components not working properly due to extreme heat, but most laptops nowadays have a chip that turns off the laptop if its overheated, so its all good

If you're concerned with the laptop overheating, buy one of those notebook coolers (Vantec Lapcool 2 or 3 i believe is the most popular brand at the moment).

[Bradjar]

Good thing you folks are quick to post...the book was moved OFF my lap as soon as I hit the 3rd post

[JPxM0Dz]

Got heat issues? Get a laptop cooler, they move alot heat away from your unit.

$30 to $40 for good one is a wise investment to protect a $1500 to $3500 lappy.

I'm using a Vantec LapCool2

[Milkin_it]

is a cooler worth the money? but doesnt it raise the laptop high, it might be hard to type on. i dont wanna pay $80 for one.

[duckdown]

other problems simply are a hot laptop. if it's too close to your ballz, the heat will raise the temperature inside the scrotum, and can kill you're sperm. there's a reason why it hangs low (to lower temp slightly less then body 37).

...wow

[rai_dei]

is a cooler worth the money? but doesnt it raise the laptop high, it might be hard to type on. i dont wanna pay $80 for one.

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...62&cid=896.276
This isn't 80$
There are other options ranging from $20-60
Is it worth the money? To put it this way, its a peace of mind for 40$ that your 2000$ laptop (and your beanbag, as previously mentioned ) will stay cool and functional for the next little while

[JPxM0Dz]

is a cooler worth the money? but doesnt it raise the laptop high, it might be hard to type on. i dont wanna pay $80 for one.

It does raise the laptop up higher, but most are adjustable in height.

As far as cost goes, it does not cost $80 for a descent cooler.

$50 max for close to top of the line model.

[Milkin_it]

well i was looking to buy local lol, but how much cooler does it make the laptop? below 0 degrees?

i dont know if i wanna be lugging this around lol.

[CSR]

Heat will shorten the lifespan of components and reduce the battery life.

[doubleA]

Also, it ruins the overall experience...many times in some laptops, the CPU speed will drop to cool the laptop down....also, with the fan constantly running, the laptop becomes very LOUD!!....

[Cyber6]

Also remember the battery.. Nimh batteries do not last long on constant heat.

C.