Is this safe to do: MacBook on Wood

[dotdotdot]

Is it safe to keep my MacBook on top of a plank of wood?

Sounds odd, but the laptop is elevated on a gift I got that is meant for books - it's cheap pieces of wood thats elevated to be able to read books. it's unfinished completely, with paint on it. You can easily get splinters and it's kind of like taking a board from the road and putting it under the computer.

It's good because it keeps elevated with my eyes and my other monitor, and it's free. I don't want, you know, fires or anything though. (Also, theres a part under the computer with a hole, for ventilation, so I don't think it would damage the computer).

Safe or no?

Oh - it's also on 24/7

[tkidBOSTON]

The Macbook has 4 feet that keeps it slightly lifted off the surface its resting on. If the feet rest on the wood, you're good.

[hobbbz]

It'll be fine.

[Verdanice]

It shouldn't be a problem, unless you get into some extremely resource intensive uses, at which point the wood will be rendered useless in fending off the heat. I used a variety of materials under my Macbook Pro when I did have it on my lap, nothing worked for more than about twenty minutes if I was using Photoshop, editing video, etc. - then I got a Lapinator (http://www.lapinator.com/), it lasts about an hour, at which point it needs to take a couple minute break - then it's good again.

[divinemercy]

I think it should technically be fine... but you might consider another option like making a macbook stand.

For instance, for about 3 dollars you can make the same stand i made today. Super easy, matches amazingly, takes about 15 min, and i even made a matching stand for my ipod touch. Im going to make the ipod stand angled tomorrow, and add caps to the two front parts that stick up on the laptop stand... Like it?

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e247/starboilvr4ever/DSC04043.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e247/starboilvr4ever/DSC04044.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e247/starboilvr4ever/DSC04045.jpg

[dotdotdot]

The final verdict was that it's unsafe, based on those around me as well as my own judgement. Having it on there for 20 minutes made the wood very hot, and I'm not taking any chances.

Looks like it's time for the Griffin Elevator.

[dotdotdot]

I think it should technically be fine... but you might consider another option like making a macbook stand.

For instance, for about 3 dollars you can make the same stand i made today. Super easy, matches amazingly, takes about 15 min, and i even made a matching stand for my ipod touch. Im going to make the ipod stand angled tomorrow, and add caps to the two front parts that stick up on the laptop stand... Like it?

Tell me more about this... $3 you say?

[divinemercy]

Sure, its just PVC pipe.

Go to your local hardware store, and pick up 4 elbow joints, as well as two of the 3-opening joints you see in the front corners. then about 5 feet of pipe. Everything is the 3/4 inch size.

Then i added non-slip dots that you can see on the bottom and where the macbook sits so that it is really secure and you can shake it around and everything without it moving. Plus you can make it taller or shorter in the back as you like by adding a different size pipe.

Really nice i think ^^

[SamIchi]

Forget the griffin elevator, go fro the mStand. It's cost a pretty penny but it's damn sexy.

[CanadaRAM]

The final verdict was that it's unsafe, based on those around me as well as my own judgement. Having it on there for 20 minutes made the wood very hot, and I'm not taking any chances.

Looks like it's time for the Griffin Elevator.

This would be a surprise for all the people using laptops on wooden desks...

Seriously -- the Mac will get to MAYBE 140 degrees F outside temperature. Ignition point of wood is somewhere north of 500 degrees F.

[ntrigue]

Alright PVC guy, points for ingenuity the iPhone rest makes it.

With that said you folks are SO cheap it's making me ill. Treat your $1300 laptop.

[exabytes18]

...Sounds odd, but the laptop is elevated on a gift I got that is meant for books... it's kind of like taking a board from the road and putting it under the computer....

Sounds like quite the gift you received.

Now unless your battery explodes (it's happened), your macbook will not ignite wood. Sorry, I don't mean to scare you. Exploding batteries and your macbook igniting your furniture are non-issues. Propping it up for better cooling for your own comfort is a good idea though.

[dotdotdot]

This would be a surprise for all the people using laptops on wooden desks...

Seriously -- the Mac will get to MAYBE 140 degrees F outside temperature. Ignition point of wood is somewhere north of 500 degrees F.

It's because the connectors would also be resting on wood, in case of a spark with the power cord or something being connected 24/7.

Got the Griffin Elevator today though, and it also lifts the laptop up higher. Much better solution

[Gray-Wolf]

There are also fold out stands, aka lapdesk I have this and love it. It can be folded to slope the laptop on a desk where it's used in place of a desktop

http://www.targus.com/us/product_images/pa243u_accessories_a.jpg

[7on]

I better get rid of my wooden desk then.