Pamela Vanden Bos

 Did you know that like you, your laptop must be able to breathe? Did you know it could actually damage your computer to become grossly overheated? Think about how much heat your computer puts out when it sits on your lap….which is nice on a cold day however, on a sticky summer day it’s nothing but miserable and irritating.

 

Keep Your Laptop Cool

 

Place your laptop on a hard surface or use a laptop cooler pad when using your laptop on your lap because your clothes can accidentally block the airflow fan. Do not put a running laptop on any soft surface. Never place your running laptop on your bed. Never set your running laptop on a pillow. Never lay your running laptop on the couch. The fact of the mater is; soft surfaces block your computers cooling system (the fan).

 

Laptop Cooler Pad

 

A laptop-cooling pad is an ergonomic work surface that keeps your laptop cool. It’s thin, lightweight, and has a little fan built in it to enhance your computers cooling system. The cooling pad connects to your computer via the USB port. These cooling pads can be found on sale for under $20 on Amazon.com and then average around $29. I did see one for $67 with speakers to boost your computers speaker performance, but that seemed a little much. Some of the laptop coolers have adjustable angles and others have fully rotating bases for your comfort. However, make sure the cooling pad you purchase has slip proof pads on it otherwise when you’re typing away all of a sudden your stinking laptop will just slip off the cooling pad and plop right onto your lap!

 

As a virgin cooler pad buyer, I got one without the slip proof pads. Refusing to go back to the store to return the lousy cooling thing, I just got out my purple duck tape and taped pencils stacked two high to form a ridge at the bottom of the cooling pad to prevent anymore unexpected slithering. However, it was not really the “look” I wanted and in the heat of the summer, the dang duck tape got soft and the pencils started to shift in several different directions.  It all worked for a while yet I was thankful when one of my children (now my favorite) gave me a new computer-cooling pad for Christmas.

 

Bottom line, to prevent overheating damage to your computer whether it’s a laptop or a standard desktop computer, keep the fan clear of dust, dirt, and give it plenty of breathing room for a long life.