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plasticman · Jan 19, 2008, 04:52 PM

I'm thinking of upgrading my 15" PowerBook G4 to the Airbook when it comes out. However, I really don't like the fact that PowerBook gets quite hot on my leg when it's resting there. It's the only thing I don't like about it, I think!

Do you think the MBA will run hot? Do the current generation of Mac laptops run hot when resting on the legs too?

Cold Warrior · Jan 19, 2008, 04:59 PM

My MBP C2D 2.16 GHz can get quite hot. Not so much on my legs, but for the stuff in between.

BraneffInternational · Jan 19, 2008, 06:29 PM

My 17" powerbook gets hot and I'm sure the new MBP 17" that I ordered will too but I have an easy answer. I bought a 12" deep wire shelf from Lowes that has a 1" lip giving it a slight triangular shape. I cut it into one foot sections, put a little clear hose around both ends and it keeps the laptop off of my legs, allows air to flow and keep the computer cooler. Total cost was $9. including the gorilla glue.

mduell · Jan 19, 2008, 06:46 PM

I think the MBA will be cooler than MBP, since it has a lower power CPU and the plastic air duct to act as a heat shield.

plasticman · Jan 20, 2008, 07:38 AM

I guess they're quite but hot. Oh well....

MacosNerd · Jan 20, 2008, 08:17 AM

I don't think hot laptops are an apple only phenomenon. Also I think without having a shipping MBA nobody can tell whether it will run cooler or warmer then existing MacBooks (Pro or otherwise)

Dork. · Jan 20, 2008, 09:10 AM

Keep in mind that Apple officially refers to their portable computers as "notebooks", not "laptops", precisely because they don't want you suing them if you use them on your lap and they get too hot.

My MB only really gets hot when some process is running full throttle on it, when there's a lot of disk activity, or when the CD/DVD drive is spinning. Since the MBA has no optical drive, and ships standard with 2 GB RAM (which should reduce disk swapping), that reduces the last two conditions. And rumor has it that the MBA's CPU is a custom Intel job that runs on a lower voltage than standard MB/MBP Core 2 Duo chips, which leads to lower power consumption. I think it will be safe to say that even with the smaller form factor and the reduced air flow through it, the MBA will run a bit cooler than the MB.

Cadaver · Jan 20, 2008, 09:39 AM

Hard to tell if the MBA will be hot. Smaller chip package at a lower voltage would suggest less heat, but slimmer case may negate any benefit. We probably wont know until someone gets a hold of one. Reports from MacWorld however have said that even running all day long on the black table tops under the lights the bottom of the MBAs were only slightly warm. Might be a good sign.

My wife's MacBook, however, runs very cool.

And for what its worth, I've read that Dell's Latitude 430, which actually uses a C2D ULV processor, gets really hot. So go figure.

MacosNerd · Jan 20, 2008, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Dork.

Keep in mind that Apple officially refers to their portable computers as "notebooks", not "laptops", precisely because they don't want you suing them if you use them on your lap and they get too hot.

True, but how many of us still call it a laptop and use it as such. I own one of those laptop desks so my lap is protected. I use my MBP while sitting in front of the tv a lot of times

plasticman · Jan 20, 2008, 02:44 PM

also, a thinner laptop may mean the processor is closer to the legs (or in between, if you insist!). So long as it won't burn me in the way the powerbook G4 would do if I weren't wearing what I am I think I'd be happy enough.

I'd rather have a hot laptop than one in which I can hear the fans