For People With Laptops

[piglet33]

My husband and I bought each other Dell Inspiron 9300s for Christmas and then got a wireless router so we wouldn't be tied to one room. Anyway, I've been looking for a lap desk sort of thing to put my laptop on when I'm surfing while in the livingroom since it gets pretty hot sitting on my lap. Well, I found the best thing. It's called a Lapinator. You can get it at www.lapinator.com. They come in two sizes - one for normal size laptops and one for the 17 inch ones, which I bought. The best part is since I bought two of them, I saved 20%. They also have something called a Mousitizer that isn't on their webpage yet. It clips to the side of the Lapinator and has a mouse pad like surface to make it easier to move the mouse around and a lip to prevent it from falling off the pad. Shipping is very reasonable and fast too.

Both my husband and I have been using these since we got them and love them. It's amazing how they work, because after spending hours on the laptops, they are still cool instead of hot.

They are also very light - weighing 11-15 ounces depending on the size. They also fit in laptop bags so they can travel with you.

I am in no way affilliated with this company. I just think these are great products and wanted to pass on the info in case someone else is looking for something like this.

Reneé

 

[Chicago526]

Thanks for the tip, but I like keeping my warm laptop on my lap! It's so cozy! But then I also don't spend more than 1/2 an hour on it at a time, so mabybe it's differant if you'll be working for an hour or more.

 

[jennifer293]

I just use a throw pillow from my couch... and on those extra cool days I just keep it on my lap to stay warm!!!!

 

[piglet33]

I just use a throw pillow from my couch... and on those extra cool days I just keep it on my lap to stay warm!!!!

But doesn't that block the vents on your laptop? If I did that, my laptop would definitely overheat since the vents are on the bottom.

 

[funnygarcia]

They have a similar product at Target for about $12.. I always wondered if it worked and if it was worth the $ .. maybe now I will buy one

 

[ducklite]

I just use a throw pillow from my couch... and on those extra cool days I just keep it on my lap to stay warm!!!!

I was going to say exactly the same thing!

Anne

 

[azgal81]

I also do the throw pillow from the couch. Although mine doesnt' really get that hot or at least not too hot that it's uncomfortable. I also don't think the vents are on the bottom so I don't have the overheating worry!

 

[KarenAylwood]

I learned that they aren't being called laptops by companies anymore because they aren't supposed to be on your lap due to blocking the vents. (ie why they are called "Notebooks"). I use a simple lap thing with a pillow underneath it- I got it at Linens & Things. Hard black plastic top with a pillowy bottom to it so the laptop stays on something hard but I can still sit on the couch with it. It cost me like $8 or something.

 

[jennifer293]

I learned that they aren't being called laptops by companies anymore because they aren't supposed to be on your lap due to blocking the vents. (ie why they are called "Notebooks"). I use a simple lap thing with a pillow underneath it- I got it at Linens & Things. Hard black plastic top with a pillowy bottom to it so the laptop stays on something hard but I can still sit on the couch with it. It cost me like $8 or something.

are you talking about one of those lap desks...Hard on top and a decorative pillow on the bottom..I have seen those and have thought about getting DD one for homework because she hates to sit at the table to do it.

I don't think anything really blocks the vents per say because you don't sit in the same position for any length of time or at least I am constantly adjusting myself because it kills my back to sit in the same position. I think it is just another ploy to get you to buy another product...

 

[piglet33]

I don't think anything really blocks the vents per say because you don't sit in the same position for any length of time or at least I am constantly adjusting myself because it kills my back to sit in the same position. I think it is just another ploy to get you to buy another product...

I can tell you that no matter what position I sit in, if I have my laptop on my lap or pillow, it gets hot. I don't have that problem since I started using the Lapinator. I just thought this was a really good product so I wanted to post so others can check it out if they were looking for something like this.

 

[KarenAylwood]

are you talking about one of those lap desks...Hard on top and a decorative pillow on the bottom..I have seen those and have thought about getting DD one for homework because she hates to sit at the table to do it.

I don't think anything really blocks the vents per say because you don't sit in the same position for any length of time or at least I am constantly adjusting myself because it kills my back to sit in the same position. I think it is just another ploy to get you to buy another product...

Yeah! Lap desk. Haha. It is great- I can fit both my laptop and my mousepad/mouse on it. I'd say get one for her- I had one when I was younger and it was great for doing homework on. They also aren't very expensive. If you have one of those 20% off at Bed Bath & Beyond that they send out all the time, it'd be even cheaper!

 

[DMRick]

Those of you not putting yoru laptops on a hard surface may be shortening it's life. It's hard enough to keep the inside cool with the small fans inside laptops without the vents being blocked. When we use ours (we have several and have for years) on a soft surface, we have a firm board to put them on. You may want to rethink the warmth you are getting from your laptop, since what you want to do, is keep them as cool as you can.

 

[ducklite]

Those of you not putting yoru laptops on a hard surface may be shortening it's life. It's hard enough to keep the inside cool with the small fans inside laptops without the vents being blocked. When we use ours (we have several and have for years) on a soft surface, we have a firm board to put them on. You may want to rethink the warmth you are getting from your laptop, since what you want to do, is keep them as cool as you can.

Considering that 2-3 years from now the O/S will be obselete and no longer able to run the software I use, it really just doesn't matter.

Anne

 

[DMRick]

Considering that 2-3 years from now the O/S will be obselete and no longer able to run the software I use, it really just doesn't matter.

Anne

A laptop with blocked vents or allowed to keep the heat in won't make it 2-3 years, believe me. As far as the operating system being obsolete and not running the software you use, for many of us, who still have some laptops running win98, keeping the laptop for longer than 2-3 years is very real. We are running one with DOS, and you couldn't wrestle that one out of my husbands hands..it's a pretty old one, still in great working condition LOL! I hope to keep the one running XP up and going for a good while. I hope I"m getting the external fan I asked for for Christmas to keep it even cooler, although this new one doesn't get as hot as the last one. They have made some chip changes to help the problem.

I think it's important that those who don't realize how important it is that a laptop not overheat, know this info..that a soft couch or lap, isn't a good idea for a laptop. For those that can afford to replace often, it's prob not a problem, as long as you backup regularly.

 

[maggiew]

Thanks for the link. I have been thinking about getting something because my laptop gets VERY hot after awhile. I can't stand it on my legs anymore. I am going to look into it. I also didn't know it was bad for the laptop. So, I guess I will definitely get something. Where did you find the one at Target??

Maggie

 

[jennifer293]

I can tell you that no matter what position I sit in, if I have my laptop on my lap or pillow, it gets hot. I don't have that problem since I started using the Lapinator. I just thought this was a really good product so I wanted to post so others can check it out if they were looking for something like this.

I wasn't attacking you for your post about the lapinator...I was just saying in general that it is probably a ploy by computer manufactors to get us to buy yet one more thing. Just seems with every product made there is some accessory to go with it that would be nice to have but not needed by all is the point I was making. Sorry if I offended you. That was not my intention at all.

 

[musicmama]

I use a "breakfast tray" from Target. It was about $ 13. - has legs which can be folded out or not (depending on which chair I'm in). DH and DD liked it so much that each of them wanted one. Works great for those little DVD players, too.

 

[piglet33]

I wasn't attacking you for your post about the lapinator...I was just saying in general that it is probably a ploy by computer manufactors to get us to buy yet one more thing. Just seems with every product made there is some accessory to go with it that would be nice to have but not needed by all is the point I was making. Sorry if I offended you. That was not my intention at all.

Oh no, I didn't mean to make it sound like I was offended! You had originally said that you move around so your laptop doesn't get hot so I was just saying that no matter what I do and how much I move around that doesn't work for me.

 

[CheapMom]

I have a flat fan laptop rest. It is about a3/4 inch thick and it it made by TARGUS. It plugs into the USB port and blows air on the bottom of the laptop. My laptop gets really hot- It is a design flaw of this model- the fans aren't sufficient or they aren't postioned correctly. If I try to run my laptop on a pillow it will shut off almost immediately.