[schokid02]

Ok, so I've seen this issue addressed with the 12" powerbooks, but what about the 15" ones. There are points when the computer literally becomes too hot to rest on my lap. Anyone else have this problem? My dad's got the exact same computer and his is just as bad. I'm not talking about it getting hot just from DVD burning and so forth, but from simple tasks as well. If I'm online or playing the incredibly simple CoCothello (a nice little Othello game for OS X) it gets too hot after a few hours. When I bought the Powerbook I figured, since it was a laptop, that I would be able to use it ON MY LAP! Was this just some huge oversight by the engineers that people would actually put a computer on their lap? I think I might try nuking my lunch on it one day.

[drmbb]

I have the same issue with my revB 667 Mhz. For what it's worth, my 1995 Pentium 100Mhz machine, and my 1993 486 laptops also would get too hot to serve literally as "laptops", as do some current PIII Dell's we have at work. I think it's just the nature of the beast, all that internal heat has to go somewhere, and it can only go via the outer casing.

[Peter]

Powerbooks are notebooks or portables, not laptops.

[drmbb]

/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Semantics, pure semanitcs. Define a "laptop" then - from some dang web site I pulled up in Google: "A laptop computer, usually called a notebook computer by manufacturers, is a battery- or AC-powered personal computer generally smaller than a briefcase that can easily be transported and conveniently used in temporary spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries, temporary offices, and at meetings. A laptop typically weighs less than 5 pounds and is 3 inches or less in thickness. Among the best-known makers of laptop computers are IBM, Apple, Compaq, Dell, and Toshiba."
By definition, all laptops are portables, but then heck, my powermac is a portable (it's got handles and everything /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

[superman19]

as i've said before, take advantage of the heat and cook some food! I use my powerbook to warm up my lunch at work...

[dfchicago]

Oh, man. Someone needs to get out more. I think this goes way beyond semantics, perhaps into deep psychosis.

[stockscalper]

It must be the faster processor ones because I use my 500 mz on my lap all the time.

[jcmount]

I've got two 15" Ti's (one for my wife one for me). I never noticed them getting too hot to handle. What I have noticed is the 1Ghz runs cooler to the touch than the 550. That tells me Apple has done a lot of work on heat management and dissipation, and should be even better in the Al 15"

[clydeb11]

i have an ibook, the a/c square and the bottom of the ibook at the battery both get "warm". i spoke to an apple rep, he said " the unit gives off heat".

[BHeth]

I barely notice the heat from my 12". I really don't know what all the fuss is about.

[nkasuri1]

Man, my 17" gets so hot sometimes that my legs start sweating. I would really like it if Apple would design a powerbook that doesn't use my body as a heatsink.

[Noela]

I was just wondering - can computer bare such a heat or does it destroy something inside? (I dont know anything about what's inside there /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
I have G3 iBook, and it also gets quite hot.
/Noela

[edwardcav]

In reply to:

---

Define a "laptop" then - from some dang web site I pulled up in Google: "A laptop computer, usually called a notebook computer by manufacturers, is a battery- or AC-powered personal computer generally smaller than a briefcase that can easily be transported and conveniently used in temporary spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries, temporary offices, and at meetings. A laptop typically weighs less than 5 pounds and is 3 inches or less in thickness. Among the best-known makers of laptop computers are IBM, Apple, Compaq, Dell, and Toshiba."

---

Rather than listen to some "dang website courtesy of Google", listen to Apple's definition, from a (2002) portable technologies service manual:
What is the difference between a notebook and a laptop? Apple considers these to be different types of products. Laptop computers are designed to be used in a nature so that that hardware can be held directly on the customer's lap. A notebook computer is designed to be just as portable as a laptop, but may not be comfortable for all users to use on their lap. A good example of this is the Powerbook computers, a notebook. Note: The iBook is considered by Apple to be a notebook computer.
Therefore, if it is a portable computer, this does not necessarily mean that it is going to be comfortable to operate in your lap.