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Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 9:21:30 AM

Aneirin

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From: Tamaris
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Laptop computers, pretty good things, all that ability stuffed into a slim little box one can use anywhere, in my case, sitting in bed, normally, but I have a question regarding the things;

Why is it the cooling fan intake is on the bottom ?

It must be a design thing, put the intake on the bottom, where it can suck up anything that is small enough to go through the grill, fluff, crumbs, down, cat hairs, tobacco etc. The stuff deposits itself on the cooling fins that cool the processor, there stopping any cooling, by air being pushed past the cooling fins, as it is designed to do.

Now me, I take the lappy apart quite regularly to clean out the accumulated fluff, and it always amazes me at where the little neat rectangle of felt comes from, then I realise, the felt is the sucked up fluff and other debris, compacted against the important bits, thus inhibiting cooling. Now, I do a clean out, every three months or so, but that's me, I paid enough for this thing, I want it to last as long as possible, but if I did not clean the thing out, how long would it have lasted I wonder. So far, fifteen months, and the fan is already nearly off it's bearings judging by the noise it is making.

So, what is it with lappy designers, is this fan intake thing a design flaw, or designed in, ' this thing aint going to last long, despite what you paid ', type cynicism ?

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 9:25:15 AM

RCdc

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Where else are they going to put it?

the.dark.

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 9:26:09 AM

LaTigresse

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I've had mine for over two years, never taken it apart and cleaned it and it seems to be running just fine.

Plus, they are not meant to last for years. One of the new, disposable items of life.

< Message edited by LaTigresse -- 4/21/2009 9:29:39 AM >

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 9:31:15 AM

Aneirin

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From: Tamaris
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Darcyandthedark

Where else are they going to put it?

the.dark.

On the top ?

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Post #: 4

RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 9:34:57 AM

RCdc

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You know cameras A, why don't you attatch a lens facing up? Same principle. Only there is suction with intake.
So where else would it go?

the.dark.

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 10:09:26 AM

Aneirin

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From: Tamaris
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What I am trying to say is, with an intake facing down, and this could be on a hard surface such as a table, or even one's lap, whatever debris that is on the table, dust, or in the case of a lap, clothing fibres gets sucked in. Now the same can happen with a suction grill on the top, but at least with the larger items of debris, the sort of stuff that goes unnoticed, it on top of the machine, on the keyboard or surroundings perhaps, you would sweep it off, not so much where you might put a running computer down, the carpet perhaps.

Now, I understand this cooling fan thing is only on pc's, I have heard Mac don't have them, so not the problem, can anyone comment ?

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 10:13:05 AM

subtlebutterfly

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From: Not your hood
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mine's also at the bottom..i take it apart every 2 months or so..or when i hear it's "breathing" starts being annoying...heck my pc almost ended on fire last winter or sum so..spent ages trying to find out what was UP with the motherfuckin fan.....until I decided to be a hero and take it apart..n oh boy there was just big almost solid dustwall in it..so I learnt from the experience.
I do think it's annoying that it's at the bottom..but meh I don't really mind.
There's some kind of fan in macs...it always freaks out when my friend starts using MS powerpoint on it, I think it's at the back of that one..

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 10:28:29 AM

aravain

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~FR~

Mine have always been on the side...

Also, some people have to beware taking laptops apart... even just to clean it... because it usually voids any warranty you have.

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 10:37:52 AM

subtlebutterfly

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From: Not your hood
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heeeeeeeeeh I have always fixed my pc's by myself..and with a bit of help from google...n if all fails..I reformat
heck my pc's outta warranty but the charger was under warranty...first the dude was like..um the warranty doesn't cover this..n then he was like..have ya neva needed to take ya pc to the shop before? i was like..nope
it's always worked just fine? i was like..yep
n it's neva been broken??? nope
hmmmmm then i'm gonna cut ya a break n give ya a charger just take good care of it

I wanted to kiss da dude!

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 10:47:58 AM

aravain

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I *DID* say some

I don't much care about warranties for PCs anymore. I know enough about the hardware that it's not going to help me, anymore... the only thing they can do is replace things... which they still charge for (and, if you make enough fuss about it and prove you know what you're doing, may still do even if it's been technically voided). The problem with laptop warranties is that most companies will want to replace the *entire* laptop, and won't take any nonsense with voided hardware.

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Post #: 10

RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 11:12:56 AM

LaTigresse

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You do realize that I am now going to have to go home and tear open my laptop to see what kind of crud I've accumulated in there don't you???

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Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!

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Post #: 11

RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 11:15:54 AM

RCdc

Posts: 8674
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

What I am trying to say is, with an intake facing down, and this could be on a hard surface such as a table, or even one's lap, whatever debris that is on the table, dust, or in the case of a lap, clothing fibres gets sucked in. Now the same can happen with a suction grill on the top, but at least with the larger items of debris, the sort of stuff that goes unnoticed, it on top of the machine, on the keyboard or surroundings perhaps, you would sweep it off, not so much where you might put a running computer down, the carpet perhaps.

Now, I understand this cooling fan thing is only on pc's, I have heard Mac don't have them, so not the problem, can anyone comment ?

Then you should be responsible and not place a laptop on a surface covered in dust and mess. You are far less likely to get dust sucked up than falling in. And macs still have cooling fans in bottom or side just like laptops.

the.dark.

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Post #: 12

RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 11:53:36 AM

outlier

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Joined: 10/22/2005
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How about the fact that heat rises?

Any engineer is going to know this and
design the machine to go with this natural
airflow. To attempt to fight it by running
the air against the flow would use more power
and generate more heat.

That would be bad design, counterproductive
to have the machine waste power fighting itself.
Especially a battery powered machine!

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 1:37:55 PM

DesFIP

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From: Apple County NY
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I don't think any of the laptops in this house have ever been cleared out. They usually make about 3 years before the screen dies. Not a fan issue.

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 3:39:37 PM

DomImus

Posts: 2004
Joined: 3/17/2009
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My Compaq laptop had the fan intake on the rear panel. The processor got quite warm which was actually a plus in the winter but ventilation was not an issue.

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Post #: 15

RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 3:59:36 PM

camille65

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Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Austin Texas
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My laptop rests on an extra fan, yes she does tend to get very hot. Especially when on my bedside table where stuff is piled up around her at all times. I too find it to be frustrating and of poor design, but I'm not an engineer so using a cooling fan is the best I can do.

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 4:48:23 PM

Crush

Posts: 1031
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Contrary to popular opinion, your laptop won't cause... oh wait...wrong thread!

"Air don't care" so they put the fan where it fits and they can get airflow through to cool. Depends whether you want to "pull" air through or "push" it through. If it is blowing out, then the crud will accumulate elsewhere, usually some intake vents. If it is "blowing in" then it will accumulate crud.

Vacuum or shot of dry air will help keep the crud down. It does need to be cleaned, since a lack of airflow implies more heat which implies shorter appliance life.

Of course, by design they may only be meant to last 2-4 years, so expect to replace it on that time schedule anyway. Some will last longer, of course. But you can't make money selling computers if you don't sell computers....

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/21/2009 8:47:50 PM

chamberqueen

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Joined: 10/25/2007
From: Kalamazoo, MI
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I talked with an engineer at Intel about this once. He said that the name "laptop" is not supposed to be taken literally; that they consider them "notebook" computers. They are not actually meant to be put on a lap because it does block the fan.

The main problem with the smaller electronics is that they generate a lot of heat - especially the power supply. Without an adequate fan your computer would literally start to melt. While it may be a nuisance to have it on the bottom it is much better than on the top where things could fall into it. There is obviously no room on the side. It is placed out of the way and cleaning the area is just part of normal maintenance. Sorry dude - that's just the way it is.

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RE: Laptop computer question - 4/22/2009 8:37:31 AM

pahunkboy

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From: Central Pennsylvania
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have 5 laptops. ALl in various states of repair.

of those one has a fan that is too loud.

the others dont. my latest one tho- has these bright lights on them. so when i sleep i dont want it in the same room. i hate that. sometimes i am online until i drop.

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Post #: 19

RE: Laptop computer question - 4/22/2009 10:43:34 AM

FullCircle

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Joined: 11/24/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

What I am trying to say is, with an intake facing down, and this could be on a hard surface such as a table, or even one's lap, whatever debris that is on the table, dust, or in the case of a lap, clothing fibres gets sucked in. Now the same can happen with a suction grill on the top, but at least with the larger items of debris, the sort of stuff that goes unnoticed, it on top of the machine, on the keyboard or surroundings perhaps, you would sweep it off, not so much where you might put a running computer down, the carpet perhaps.

Now, I understand this cooling fan thing is only on pc's, I have heard Mac don't have them, so not the problem, can anyone comment ?

That is the least of your problems...

They call them lap top but if you put them on an uneven surface such as your lap there is the possibility you'll be blocking one of the vents and shortening the service life of your laptop. Your laptop has feet because it is supposed to go on a flat surface raised up by the feet with air flowing under and out of the back.

Don’t they call them notebooks or are notebooks distinctly different from laptops?

There is just as much static dust floating about in the air as on a disturbed surface.

< Message edited by FullCircle -- 4/22/2009 10:44:30 AM >

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