Is your laptop getting hot?

Stop your computer from cooking itself now to prevent problems in the future.

This is a very common problem in computers. PC’s have more space to provide airflow so they do not have this problem as much, but with laptops it is an ongoing thing that needs to be prevented in order to keep the machine in good health.

Many people use there laptops for business, school, and entertainment. Many people put there laptops in bags so they do not have to carry them in their arms. Many people like to get comfy and place there laptop on there bed or any soft surface. These are all hazards that need to be advised so you don’t further damage your computer.

Overheating is probably the number one problem people face when buying a laptop. They wonder why their laptop is shutting off or freezing up. They wonder why they turn it back on and it shuts off or freezes again.

Usually the first thing people do when they first take there laptop out from the box is turn it on correct? Then they start playing around with the many features it has. After they have figured out the kinks and everything the laptop has to offer they like to find a nice comfortable place to put it. This is where the problems all start. Usually in your manual you will find a section stated “What not to do with your laptop”. This should be read by everyone.

1-)  Do not place your laptop on a soft surface nor a surface where it blocks the airflow of the machine.

What this basically means is when a laptop is placed on the ground it has half inch rubber legs that allow the laptop to get enough airflow to breath. If you place it on a bed or couch it is not getting the airflow it needs and cooks itself. If it cooks itself then it will either shut off automatically or freeze.

People panic right away when this happens but shouldn’t because usually if this is happening the first time or the first few times it means the computer reached a temperature higher than it’s core temperature and shut off to prevent damage to the hardware. If the person misuses his or her’s common sense and turns it back on while still on the bed, then the damage could be massive.

Usually though for the first five minutes or so if you try and turn the computer back on the computer will shut back down because it is too hot inside.

Normal core temperatures in laptops should range between 95 degrees Farenheit and 100 degrees Farenheit, give or take a couple degrees. If this reaches anything higher than your in danger. Normally 130 degrees Farenheit is the problem point. Of course the cooler your computer is the better although I would not recommend sitting it on a block of ice.

2-) Do not place the laptop in the bag while on.

This will also cause overheating and damage to the screen. When the monitor is on and it is facing the keyboard it will make the keys very hot and the hardware under the keyboard will fry. If this happens bring the computer in a very cool room and let it sit while turned off.

I am a computer technician myself and have gotten many overheated machines. There is not much to do with fried machines except replacing the parts. If the motherboard is fried than you’re in bad shape, because that is the main part of the computer and normally in a laptop you can’t fix a motherboard. It is just better to buy a new machine as the price would come close to that of replacing the motherboard.

3-) Keep the laptop breathing

Laptops have two or three air vents at the bottom and normally two on the sides or back. These air vents need to be able to breath at all times otherwise the computer will get hotter and hotter.

Computers have made big improvements in the technology field but there are still those problems that need to be looked out for. There is no perfect computer and something will always happen if proper care isn’t provided. The hardware which is inside the computer usually have fans to cool them off, but if there is no air getting inside the fans can’t work any harder than they are, so you play a big part in helping those fans.