[edbow]

I second both macbigot and gthornock. At home I have been using a large children's book for quite sometime. Recently I started using a cutting board while commuting because it blocks the heat, is very durable, provides enough traction so my PB doesn't slide around, and has the bonus of a handle which makes it easier to get out of my backpack. I think I got it for $7.95 at Target.

[Dan Frakes]

Actually, I've heard from several people over the past year that a cheap cutting board makes a good "laptop heat guard" /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Nobody]

Sheesh, I thought this new Intel technology was supposed to run cooler, less heat.
This is surprising to read. I'm not trying to be critical of the new lineup, but- burns? , really?

[dux5]

In reply to:

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I'm not trying to be critical of the new lineup, but- burns? , really?

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Yep. I've got a welt on my left thigh that my wife just asked me 'WHAT'S THAT?!?" And that was through a sheet. I've had it burn through pants, too.
That old Apple commercial with the flaming Intel chips ... it looks like it's still true.
None of my PB's have ever been this hot.

[Nobody]

Sorry about the burn.
I'm starting to wonder where in this Windows world, the Apple architects and designers went to?
Apple was on such a roll for a while with the CRT iMac's all-in-one design. One would be led to at least hope there would be more convenient, nifty designs coming from them still. The mini's nifty. The LCD'd iMac new design is OK. (Hot though, like the macbooks) But, what about the faithful? Their safety for crying out loud.
I could see Apple bringing out a laptop design to make the competition sweating jealous.
How about an integrated aluminum pull-down lap/desktop rest support for their laptops?
And to sweeten things up, make them aluminum in an assortment of colors like the iMac CRT's where.
And there's got to be a way to put a thin fan in them, like a wrist watch's design. Bingo! there you go! Apple should get some designers to team up with them from SWATCH! (Anyone remember them?) swatch /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[laconstance]

I had the same experience Stranger did with a plastic lapdesk. It bent just enough so that my Powerbook G4 (12") was resting on its belly instead of its little feet; slid all around, too, so that was pretty frustrating.
My current favorite lapdesk is a legal pad holder (like a clipboard, but without the clip). I just turn it over, paper side down, and it's perfect. No need for ANY extra equipment.

[hohome]

My MacBook Pro does get rather hot, and I use it mostly on my lap.
So I made in my workshop, a sheet of aluminum a 1/2 inch longer and wider than MBP. It is about 3/32 inch thick. Four hard rubber hose washers raise it a bit,so it can "breath" better and keep it in position. I do have a photo booth picture of it.

[gthornock]

In reply to:

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I'm not trying to be critical of the new lineup, but- burns? , really?

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Oh, yes, really. People have been getting burns from their laptops since at least the days of the Pentium 3, and that ran significantly cooler than either the G4 or the current Intel Core processors.
My old P3 laptop wasn't hot enough to warm up the underside of the board I used it on (the same board I use now with my Powerbook, about 1/2 inch thick). It was, however, hot enough that it once damaged the finish on my kitchen table. The (G4) Powerbook, by comparison, does heat up the underside of the board, enough that if I'm using it for more than an hour or so, I keep a fan pointed at it. I'm not too worried about burns through half an inch of wood, but it does get a bit uncomfortable.

[Nobody]

Some day, I plan to purchase an iBook or a Powerbook.
I don't know yet for sure. But it will probably be a G3 though. Thanks for the reply, gthornock.
Your input helps me out /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I'm not a heavy power user, but I do want decent enough speed to run apps. at a sufficient speed to make my user experience enjoyable enough. Especially if I use it on my lap. If I get a G4, I'll whip up some kind of pad or board that looks appropriate enough to be seen in public /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[tchaten]

I just ordered the icePAD for my first mac: which should be coming in about a week! (17MBP!)
I will have the icePAD in a few days and will give my thoughts on it. But by the site info: it looks great, I got it for a little over $20 at newegg (after shipping) it was like 16 bucks before shipping.
It is a laptop desk which is foldable and portable made from Macally who makes a lot of great products, and I read a review that said that these sturdily support the 17" Powerbooks. These look great and can't wait to get this.
Take a look: http://www.macally.c...es/icepad2.html

I found the cheapest prices at newegg, and incredible shipping

EDIT: REVIEW AT BAREFEATS: http://www.barefeats.com/bam-ice.html

[tchaten]

I got my icePAD today! This thing is great! When I am at my desk it allows me to mac my 17" MacBook Pro higher so I am not looking down to it. It supports the 17" perfectly not too big of a desk not too small and it folds up for easy traveling and it makes the MacBook cooler. I should not that I just got the MacBook Pro an d it has run surprisingly COOL it is not enough to burn me. I think Apple has finally fixed every glitch they had. I give a full recommendation for the icePAD it is a great little add on that makes a big difference.
(anybody that can help me have Doom 3 give me audio I would very much like to get a PM from or post it in my my first mac has arrived in the portables section, Right now Doom 3 is MUTE! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Thanks for Any Help, and if your looking for a good laptop desk that is affordable give this a try!

[luomat]

I bought one of these for $35 at OfficeMax. It has a built-in wrist rest and is probably wide enough for a mouse (I like the touchpad, although I will use a separate trackball if I have the option. Mice need too much room to roam.) it even has faux-leather pockets on the sides.
I saw one at Target but it was in the kids section and some horrendous lime green color, for $20.
The OfficeMax one was actually annoying. I often sit on the couch in shorts/boxers and the leather pockets (which were not really useful anyway) were constantly in the way. It was too wide, IMO. The cover (meant for writing, not laptop) was that material like you might find on a portfolio cover,
My wife found one at CVS (of all places!) for $15 and she had a $5 coupon from the local paper. It's about an inch wider and made of much harder material (better for the purpose). The material is much more comfortable.
I have Targus' version of the "ice desk" and it's great for carrying around in the laptop bag. But when I'm home I like something a bit softer. Must be getting old.