Can I have the MBA on my lap and on the bed ?

[gihad]

Hi all,

I just got my MBA which is my first Apple computer, is it ok to use it on my lap or on the bed ?
I would think it's ok because there are no openings at the bottom, but it gets really hot there after a while and I heard that the MBA dissipates heat thorough it's aluminum body.

What do you think ?

 

[miles01110]

It's fine to use it however you want. You control the computer, not the other way around.

 

[ZBoater]

Yes. It gets a little warm under load, but it's fine.

 

[franmatt80]

My MBA tends to get a little toasty if I use it for prolonged periods or watch TV programmes on it while it's sitting on the bed or other material - just stick something under it to raise it off the bed clothes.

 

[n1tut]

As I am retired mine spends most of its time on my lap or on the duvet. Does not even get warm on my lap, flat on the duvet it can get warm depending on workload but never hot.

2010 11.6" basic.

tut

 

[MRU]

is it ok to use it on my lap and on the bed ?

What at the same time ? it depends how close your lap is to the bed








(but yeah I use mine and it's grand).

 

[qwerf123]

I think you'll be OK doing it.

With my MBA, I use apps like SMC fan control and iStat to monitor temps so I can prevent it getting to warm.

I also own cooling stands like this: http://www.belkin.com/uk/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=471108

more here: http://www.belkin.com/uk/IWCatSectionView.process?Section_Id=209076

and I find they do keep temps down when using my MacBook on my lap/bed.

 

[2IS]

My MBA is used on my lap or bed about 70% of the time and no issues.

 

[VMMan]

Sometimes I fall asleep and wake up to find that I had rolled on top the MBA. it works great.

 

[gihad]

I was looking at the bottom of the MBPs in the mall today and they are also solid, not just the MBA. I guess the engineers expected that people will sometimes use these laptops on their laps and they have incorporated that into the design of these products.

 

[Formul]

It does not tend to get that hot on the bottom, only slightly warm, although i find it kinda uncomfortable on the lap because there are several sharp edges on the machine .. like the bottom of the display on the back or the front if you try to prop it up against your legs. Otherwise its fine.

 

[qwerf123]

I was looking at the bottom of the MBPs in the mall today and they are also solid, not just the MBA. I guess the engineers expected that people will sometimes use these laptops on their laps and they have incorporated that into the design of these products.

It's the reason why many manufacturers in recent years refer to their mobile PCs as notebooks instead of laptops.

They want people not to think they can't really do it any longer due to the more powerful PCs available which produce loads more heat and most expell their heat through vents on the bottom therefore causing overheating if on laps.

Brilliantly, there are none of these on the MBA as apple have done a good job so you shouldnt have to worry

 

[Asmod4n]

Sure, doing it all day with the 11" i7, when playing games i would recommend wearing jeans ^^