It’s summer and it’s hot! Seems like a good time to look at laptops and how to keep them cooler while we keep ourselves cool. We’re going to take a look at some very simple steps to help keep your laptop from excessively heating.
Proper Airflow
One thing your laptop needs is good air flow. The heat inside the casing needs to escape somewhere or it will build up inside and ultimately cause overheating issues. Try to make sure your laptop sits on a flat, hard, dry surface. That will ensure the heat can escape properly from the vents. Using your lap or bed as a base for the laptop can often constrict airflow so limit use in those positions.
You’ll also want to check the vents themselves and clean away any dust buildup or debris that may have accumulated. You can use a soft cloth to wipe away the dust but a nice alternative is a cotton swab. The cotton swab will lead to less dirt being pushed through the vents into the machine compared to the cloth or rag solution. It takes all of a couple minutes and is relatively painless. We recommend shutting the machine off before you go turning it upside down and all around for vent cleaning.
The final simple step is to purchase canned air to blow away any dust and debris. The canned air is great for cleaning the vents but is also nice for blowing out the junk that accumulates under the keyboard keys. We’ve provided a link below from Amazon for your convenience. Just make sure when you spray the air you follow the directions. A good 2 or more inches away from the vents should be fine.
External Cooling
A popular alternative to changing usage habits (ie. Cut down on dvd or game playing) is to use an external laptop cooling pad. These are great options for those who use their laptop as their primary pc or for those who keep their laptop powered on for many hours a day. Laptop cooling pads can use a usb port on your system for power. There are a lot of pads out there to choose from so it could get exhausting searching for one. We’ve provided a few nice options, all with 4 star ratings or above. We chose different brands as well so you can get an idea of feel and look. If you are on a Mac, not to worry, you’re covered.
Advanced Cooling Techniques
There are a number of advanced in-system techniques that can be performed but they are bit more technical and detailed which goes beyond the scope of these “very simple steps”. We’re always writing up new articles, maybe one will pop up with those options at a later date.
Your Thoughts
How do you keep your laptop cool? Do you use a laptop cooling pad? Have you experienced laptop heating issues? Let us know in the comments!