laptop vs. desktop cooling

[Red Boy]

I recently bought a Dell Inspiron 9300 laptop. I have been told that because of a laptop's size and configuration it does not handle heat as well as a desktop. It has also been suggested that I minimize my time on same, which I did not do with my desktops. There were times I ran my desktops 24/7. It was advised that laptops cannot handle this type use. Accordingly, I would like to hear from those that have experience with laptops. Do laptop users experience confirm this type disparity between laptops and desktops? And have laptop users had to minimize their use of their machine because of this concern?

Thanks,
Red Boy

[rspassey]

I've never minimized the use of a laptop. Yes, overheating is an issue, and there are ways around that. It's a great idea to use some compressed air and blow out as much dust from the fan vents as possible. I also know many who have purchased a cooling aparatus which sits underneath the laptop keeping it cooler. My father leaves his on 24/7, but that's because it does *work* (like downloading emails, etc.) at night. But, at least in my opinion, if there is no need to leave it on all the time, then why should you?

[Staren]

The HP in my sig has turned into my main computer in the last year. I keep it clean and dust free but I don't try to manage my use at all. Just keep in mind that laptops do have an avriage life of 2 or 3 years where they really can be a main system before you will start seeing problems. That's where I think the heat and basic design issues come in. They just won't last quite as long as a desktop of the same power would.

[Dheann]

Hmmm well I leave mine on for very long periods because I use it to download at night. It can get very hot and performance takes a big hit when it has been doing a lot for a long time but all I do is shut it down and give it some downtime and when it boots back up later it is good as new.

Plus you can, I havn't yet, but you can buy cooling gear to set under your laptop to keep it cool if you need to. Besides when I'm using multiple programs at once it doesn't seem phased so I pretty sure it is still alright.

But Ryan there is right if you don't need to don't leave it running

[Red Boy]

Thanks guys. Perhaps what I have been told has been too conservative. But I, too, agree with Ryan: if you don't need to, don't leave it running. And while I am aware of of the cooling mats, I have yet to encounter anyone that has used one. I think Ryan is on target: keep the machine clean and don't leave it on, if you don't have to.

Thanks again,
Red Boy

[Panama Red]

I have a bone stock Toshiba laptop with a 2.6 Celeron. It's 2 1/2 years old and has the original battery. I run Folding@Home 24/7 and that runs the cpu at 100% load. The cooling fan turns on and off as needed and I keep it cleaned out - 3 cats in the house can create a lot of hair clogs in fans! The only time this laptop isn't running is when I take it on the road with me. I suspect the true laptop cpu's like the Pentium M and Celeron M would do an even better job than this desktop cpu. And I suspect that Prescott based desktop cpu's would run REAL hot when used in a laptop.

[Mr.Ferrari]

You really dont have to worry about heat in a laptop, it is designed to turn fans on and off as needed and makes sure that the proc does not overheat. 40-50s are GREAT for laptops. Dont worry about it, remember, a cpu will always turn it self off before dieing. If it ever gets to that point. And a prescott is the name of the core of the last generation Pentium 4 cpu's. They have a rep. of running very hot and taking alot of power. They have been mostly replaced by Cedar Mill's which have totally taken care of those issues.
And remember mobile chips are designed to run at a temp where there isnt too much fan noise, if it notices the temp rising you will hear the fans churn up.

[Red Boy]

Great exchange, gentlemen. It is certainly enlightening.

Red Boy