Laptop Overheats On My Lap. Is This Normal?

Question

Laptop is fine on table, but if I use it on my lap for an extended length of time it overheats.
Is this usual?
What is the point of a laptop if you can't use it on your lap?
It is a Toshiba M50, with 1024 MB, and 60 GB.
Might not be relevant.
Just trying to give as much info as possible.

Answer 1

Actually, you might find that any surface that you have your laptop resting on might also be warmer than normal if you were to check it immediately after use. It isn't just your lap that this is happening on, although since it's in close proximity to your skin with a layer of clothing between you and the computer, you're more sensitive to the increase in temperature on the device.

Some electronic devices, which operate via battery power, are well known to become warm or heat up while in use. It isn't limited to just laptops, as I've even experienced this with cell phones (if talking on it for an extended period of time) and other devices as well. This is attributed to how the electronics work, which converts the energy stored within the battery into power that can be used by the equipment.

There are two suggestions:

1) Check with the manufacturer to see if they might be doing a recall on the laptops. There have been a few laptop recalls, of lately, due to the fact that the batteries have caused certain types of laptops to burst into flames.

2) If there is no recall, check with your local Best Buy, Microcenter, or major computer store. If your laptop included an internal fan for cooling, they might be able to recommend an alternative.

Answer 2

If the main cooling vents are on the bottom then yes it is normal - your lap will mould along the base in a way that the table-top will not. Also, unlike a table, your body's heat output will also be adding to the heat the laptop must try and get rid of.

It may sound strange, but try sitting a magazine btwn the laptop and your lap - makes a big difference on both fronts

Answer 3

No this is not normal. You might want to check on a recall on the battery you laptop uses. I am fairly certain Toshiba was among the list of laptops involved regaurding battery overheating and potential fire risk a little over a year ago.. Also you may want to make sure you laptops fan is working properly, and when using it on your lap, make sure you aren't blocking it's intake or exhaust vents.. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

This is completely normal and the reason why 'laptops' are now referred to as 'notebooks'.
Someone got burns on their legs from thier notebook overheating and sued the company as they were called a laptop, therefore they are designed to sit on your lap. Since then they have changed the name so that they will not be liable for injury caused by using it on your lap!

Answer 5

your laptop is properly a new one since laptops have evolved they have got faster the vents are on the bottom so when you place it on your lap you cover up the ventilation so it heats up this is why laptops have stoped being called laptops and have started to be known as notebooks try using a notebook cooler underneath it to stop it from overheating or just use it on top of a hard surface like a tray so its off the ground

hope this helps

Answer 6

You might consider getting a laptop cooler or cooling tray to keep you from frying your lap. You can find these at most major electronics retailers such as compusa or bestbuy. keeping your laptop cool will not only keep from burning your lap but it will extend the life of your laptop as well..

Answer 7

I noticed that too, so I guess it's a normal laptop thing. But let me warn you that keeping the laptop on your lap can affect male fertility.

Answer 8

my sons laptop used to get too hot to go on his lap, we bought a laptop holder from pc world, this is like a lecturn for laptops and allows an airflow between you knees and the laptop, it was only cheap and sits just as nicely on a desk.

Answer 9

an identical factor befell to me. I have been given a style of workstation fan that sit down below the workstation like a base. This helped for some months. My workstation is a compac. that is a POS. They informed me that i will could replace out some components interior through fact of water harm, yet i understand i've got not got any water harm. nicely the cheap and rapid thank you to repair your difficulty is to get a workstation fan. with any luck which will help. It did help me for bit. you ought to additionally look into getting a sparkling workstation. the money you will finally end up paying to repair that is going to likely be merely the quantity you're able to desire to purchase a sparkling one.

Answer 10

Yes, it's because the air can't circulate properly round it. There ahve also been warnings about guys using laptops on their laps as they COULD cause fertility problems.