MBA 2012 - air intake?

[Wynand32]

Okay, so, where exactly is the air intake on the MBA 2012? I know generally where the exhaust is...

It seems like you can pretty much keep the machine on any surface, because the air vent(s) can't be blocked from the bottom. The screen assembly seems to block any air from moving from the bottom when the screen's open anyways...

Silly question, maybe, but I like to use my notebook in bed and want to know if I need to mess with a tray... Thanks!

 

[wordoflife]

I believe the air intake and exhaust is at the hinge of the sčreen

 

[miles01110]

The rear vent serves as both an intake and an exhaust route. The (only) fan is on the right side of the machine as you're facing the screen, so air goes in on the left and is expelled by the fan.

 

[nmonti]

The air intake on the 2012 MacBook Air is the in the same place it was on the 2011 models, within the hinge area of the computer. It pulls air in and blows hot air out both through the openings along the top and bottom of the hinge as well as dispersing heat throughout the aluminum frame like the rest of the unibody computers.

By design, the fans are constantly running, so heat is pretty manageable in the airs. I use mine in bed pretty often and unless it's sunken into a blanket or is running a processor intensive task the fans rarely kick into an RPM cycle that is audible. When they do however I just simply lift the computer up for a few minutes to a higher angle and it cools down rather quickly, I've even used my iPhone to prop it up in some cases while it cools.

 

[Wynand32]

Great, thanks for all of the responses!

 

[falterego]

I got one of these to serve multiple purposes. To elevate the system from the blankets and to give a better angle for sitting in bed/on a couch with the laptop (my body is apparently shaped funny and every surface I have to sit on results in my laptop sliding towards or away from me very easily. This seems to be a nice place for the feet to get some friction and not slip away so easily.

 

[aleni]

so what about in clamshell mode attached to a TB Display?

 

[mrsir2009]

This page should answer all your questions: http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-prevent-your-mac-from-overheating