laptop computing

[darkoshi]

Depending on where I'm sitting, it can be convenient to set my laptop on my lap or legs while I'm using it. Often I put a flat metal baking pan, or sturdy cardboard under it to avoid blocking its ventilation ports (as well as to redirect its heat away from my legs, but that doesn't seem to work...)

After a certain amount of time, it always makes my legs start feeling a slight burning sensation. They keep tingling long after I remove the laptop. I suppose it may only be heat from the laptop, even though this laptop rarely gets very warm. But I also suspect I'm getting radiated by being so close to the battery and shifting electric fields. I wonder if it could cause cancer. It's not enough to make me stop putting the laptop on my lap. But I should get something thicker to put under it, I suppose.

Comments

[duskpeterson]

There are little laptop trays/desks you can use. Some of them have legs, while some sit directly on your lap, with a cushion under them. Some trays/desks have the advantage of giving you space for a mouse and other peripherals. Most of them are cheap. Can't say how effective they are at shielding you from radiation, but I suppose there might be some out there that are designed for that.

[darkoshi]

Yes, I've seen some of those online. The ones with legs wouldn't work well for me but the cushioned or bean-bag style ones might.
I think I'll try jury-rigging some cushion or foam I have around the house to see if it helps against that burning sensation or not before buying anything.

[duskpeterson]

Wonderfully frugal of you. :)

[frith]

At first blush I'd say you could try wearing clothes. 8^D I often Have my (possessed by Windows ten! send an exorcist!) laptop on my lap so I can see my flatsceen on the table. Didn't get burned (except by Windows Ten! the horror! the horror!).

[darkoshi]

haha! There's already always clothes in between the laptop and my lap, but they don't help.

[frith]

Maybe your computer is running hot because your programs are in need of repair. I went 15 years without running Disk Cleanup and in hindsight that probably wasn't a good path. 8^D For years stuff would fail at random, mostly Windows Explorer and something else, I could tell because mp3's wouldn't play, so I'd reboot. It got worse and my computer was running the fan a lot more. I run defragmenter a lot but when I finally ran Disk Cleanup a few months ago, the clouds parted, angels descended from on high and 'lo! so many unseen and unsuspected problems were fixed and the laptop ran quietly and smoothly. Mp3's included. It took an hour or so, so don't be in a hurry. I should probably do it again, Disk Cleanup is telling me I can get back a gig of disk space and the fan is bugging me.