i think that's because that's where the processor sits.

 

Mine is always really cool where the processor is, but it gets super hot where the hard drive and video chip are...

 

we need more cooling systems like the new G5 mac :

http://www.99mac.com/forum/showthread.php?...?threadid=25423

 

Not really. If it's a 2001 or later iBook, the "pad" immediately to the left of the trackpad covers the hard drive. The processor is located underneath the keyboard, under the thick metal piece that the airport card sits on top of. That thick heavy metal piece is actually the top of the heat sink.

I've overclocked my 500MHz iBook to up the bus speed from the pitiful 66MHz to 100MHz. In the process I got another 100MHz CPU speed. Made life much more pleasant for me, but it was a big pain in the butt taking the damn thing apart.

 

Comp USA has a notebook "cooler" that my girlfriend uses with some success for her Dell http://www.compusa.com/products/product_in...6199&pfp=BROWSE

It's not powered, but it is a huge heat sink that helps move the heat away from her laptop.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MrForgetable
[B]we need more cooling systems like the new G5 mac :

http://www.99mac.com/forum/showthread.php?...?threadid=25423

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by HyperDimensions
[B]I heard the new Dells run a little cooler than the older ones.

 

I have wasted many good pants trying to keep this thing on my lap .
But, it keeps my coffee warm

 

This is an obscene sounding thread, what are you people doing to these little computers!?

 

Ok, here's a topic that is something that I've dealt with over the years. My sony VAIO was a scorcher, my IBM Thinkpad stays pretty cool, my Powerbook 15" is somewhere in between. Basically, my 2 cents is that if you are concerned about heat, get a centrino-based system. Intel is positioning the Pentium 4-M CPU towards the desktop replacement segment, which basically follows the "need all the power, and just want enough portability to occasionally move from 1 desk to another easily". The Pentium 4 CPU's aren't really meant for constant in-lap use. Having said that, the CPU is only 1 component of the heating problem. The video processor is quickly becoming a problem, and the main culprit is the harddrive. I swapped out the original harddrive in my sony VAIO and it helped with the heat a bit.

Having said that - I've seen 3 cooling solutions for laptops:
1. Passive Cooling Gel-like pad - http://www.iea-eces.org/success/laptop_cooler.html
http://www.climator.com/passivecooling.html

PRO's: Doesn't suck up extra battery life and quiet
CON's: can wear out over extended use, expensive

2. Active cooling Laptop Fan Pad - http://rj55.com/laptopcooler.htm
PRO's: Cheaper, it works
CON's: Find one with USB or PS/2 connector. Some are sold with huge AC power supplies which kind of defeats the purpose.
Sucks up extra battery life, fans might be accessible so watch out for fingers, etc.

3. Active cooling PC Card - http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/64/430.htm?914
PRO's: puts cooler air directly inside the laptop(better than just taking heat away from bottom of laptop)
CON's: Doesn't work with Win2K and WinXP because Microsoft stopped suppling constant power to the PC Card slots.

I've used the first and second solution.... I liked the Passive cooling pad, but it's hard to find and expensive. My friend got it for
me in hong kong, but I've pretty much worn it out over half a year of use (no gel left in the pad... surprising since the pad is still
sealed). I'm currently using the second solution and it works fairly well, but it sucks up extra battery power. I actually got my
active fan pan from ebay for like $12. Shop around.

Hope that helps