Just returned macbook air.

[gary0922]

From the post history, it looks like jalpert had not yet located a MBA to purchase at 2:07 pm on 2/4/08 yet he had already returned it by 2:51 pm on 2/5/08. That's just over 24 hrs.

 

[MRU]

I played with the iPod Air at the Apple store and found much better reasons not to buy it than this heating issue.

Bless..... it is nice to get out from under that bridge once in a while isn't it.

 

[meagain]

My MBP gets pretty hot when I play games or I am encoding stuff. If I am not at a table, I rest it on a plank of pine wood that I cut out with just enough space for the MBP and a surface for my BT mouse to track. I rest this in my lap, and it's fairly light, insulates me extremely well, and allows the machine to vent better.

It would be a PITA if I had to do it regularly, but again, it's only necessary when the laptop is doing heavy lifting. Something like this or Sun Baked's cutting board idea might work well in certain circumstances.

I used one of those plastic cutting boards for an old PC laptop in the past.
I would hate to have to rely on such things after springing for an Air because it sort of defeats the purpose.

In the store, the MBA's felt considerably less hot than the MB's so I wouldn't need it for heat perse', but the vent blocking issue. I keep envisioning a thin small cookie sheet. But that would be aluminum and I wonder if it would just transfer the heat to it. Probably, but that's ok if the Air doesn't get hot. Then the vents would be clear. In a perfect world, It would be nice if said sheet clipped onto the bottom.

I need to see more vent pictures.

 

[duffyanneal]

I used one of those plastic cutting boards for an old PC laptop in the past.
I would hate to have to rely on such things after springing for an Air because it sort of defeats the purpose.

In the store, the MBA's felt considerably less hot than the MB's so I wouldn't need it for heat perse', but the vent blocking issue. I keep envisioning a thin small cookie sheet. But that would be aluminum and I wonder if it would just transfer the heat to it. Probably, but that's ok if the Air doesn't get hot. Then the vents would be clear. In a perfect world, It would be nice if said sheet clipped onto the bottom.

I need to see more vent pictures.

Actually, if anything ultraportables (Mac/PC) run hotter if not ventilated properly. You have similar components as a much larger notebook crammed into a much smaller package. Keeping a little airspace in-between the case bottom is much more critical on machines such as the MBA.

I've been using an coolpad for years on all of my notebooks Mac and PC. Here is a link to what I use. It's cheap, adjustable, and is very simple.

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=PA241U

 

[meagain]

It's 1.2 pounds And the angle would make the display unviewable for me.

Curious.... If anyone has a tape measure handy, If anyone could measure from the edge to where the vent run starts. It seems about 3" on each side or so?

 

[camarobh]

It's 1.2 pounds And the angle would make the display unviewable for me.

Curious.... If anyone has a tape measure handy, If anyone could measure from the edge to where the vent run starts. It seems about 3" on each side or so?

About 2 1/2 inches.

 

[duffyanneal]

It's 1.2 pounds And the angle would make the display unviewable for me.

Curious.... If anyone has a tape measure handy, If anyone could measure from the edge to where the vent run starts. It seems about 3" on each side or so?

The angle is adjustable from only a 1/2" elevation to several inches. I only use it when on a trip or at home so the weight is a moot point. The key is that you need a hard surface underneath the machine whether that is a desk or some device. You should never rest it very long on a pillow or comforter.

 

[meagain]

Right. The Air's rubber feet seem taller than the other models which is a good thing. I think since the vent isn't along the 'entire' width, I could just put my knees on the sides where there's no vent.

I know this sounds anal, but for me the whole point of a laptop is to free me from my iMac & sitting at a desk - which means being able to sit back on a sofa with my feet on the coctail table or sofa - knees up with laptop.
I'm starting to think the vent thing will be ok for me. The lid opening degree still being an issue. Wonder if there's a way to tweak the hinges.

 

[duffyanneal]

Right. The Air's rubber feet seem taller than the other models which is a good thing. I think since the vent isn't along the 'entire' width, I could just put my knees on the sides where there's no vent.

I know this sounds anal, but for me the whole point of a laptop is to free me from my iMac & sitting at a desk - which means being able to sit back on a sofa with my feet on the coctail table or sofa - knees up with laptop.
I'm starting to think the vent thing will be ok for me. The lid opening degree still being an issue. Wonder if there's a way to tweak the hinges.

I've actually used my MBA the way you have described in the car. I works fine that way. I'm just paranoid when I read that people use their MBAs on the bed or on a pillow then complain that the machine gets hot. The angle isn't too bad about the same as a MB/MBP. The viewing angle of the screen is good enough to handle a little sub-optimum machine angle. The hinges can't be tweaked. If the screen went much further back the whole notebook would probably tip over backwards.

 

[rickboy]

respected...

well dude i guess, your not thrashing the MBA like other people andi guess its something people can consider before buying one. Doesnt mean you cant buy one. And this is something that can be helped. Its all a matter off being careful not to suffocate the poor thing.

 

[meagain]

The angle isn't too bad about the same as a MB/MBP. The viewing angle of the screen is good enough to handle a little sub-optimum machine angle.

Actually, I moved them around at the store and the MB lid goes back at least an inch more. I felt it was significant. The MBA next to the MBP has an identical angle.... the differing factor with them is the Air's base slopes down a bit. I suppose if the Air's keyboard area was made totally flat, it would best the MBP in this regard (just a hair). If my Apple store had a cushy lounge chair or sofa - I'd be all set with my decision.

 

[quixotic]

I've been using an coolpad for years on all of my notebooks Mac and PC. Here is a link to what I use. It's cheap, adjustable, and is very simple.

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=PA241U

The coolpads are nice...

I've been using a 1/4" thick slab of aluminum for my laptop for years (found it in a scrap metal pile). Probably expensive to buy new, but it sinks the heat better than anything else.

Even without it, there's always something around to put the laptop on while I'm in bed. As long as the vents aren't blocked, almost anything seems to work okay.

 

[duffyanneal]

Actually, I moved them around at the store and the MB lid goes back at least an inch more. I felt it was significant. The MBA next to the MBP has an identical angle.... the differing factor with them is the Air's base slopes down a bit. I suppose if the Air's keyboard area was made totally flat, it would best the MBP in this regard (just a hair). If my Apple store had a cushy lounge chair or sofa - I'd be all set with my decision.

Good information to know.

I don't know how you usually curl up on the sofa, but I'm sitting with my upper legs around 45 degrees to the sofa and the MBA sitting directly on my knees. The screen is all the way back and the viewing angle is fine. Please check out my high tech drawing for details.
…………/
_/\__/

 

[beatzfreak]

Right. The Air's rubber feet seem taller than the other models which is a good thing. I think since the vent isn't along the 'entire' width, I could just put my knees on the sides where there's no vent.

I know this sounds anal, but for me the whole point of a laptop is to free me from my iMac & sitting at a desk - which means being able to sit back on a sofa with my feet on the coctail table or sofa - knees up with laptop.
I'm starting to think the vent thing will be ok for me. The lid opening degree still being an issue. Wonder if there's a way to tweak the hinges.

I've been using my MBA on the couch for hours at a time and have had no heat issues. I just keep my knees far enough apart to allow ventilation. It's very comfortable.

 

[kyleen66]

I've found that using a regular lap desk has always been the way to go. I've got two. One I use in the living room and one for the bedroom.

http://www.lapdesk.com/products.jsp

The classic there is the type I've used the longest... it's lived through 5 laptops in the last 12 years. (It's very Loved from use.)

I'm not part of that above company. I just googled it to find a desk that looked like the one I use.

 

[Dustman]

No, it's not the heat that bothered me, it's WHERE it was. I've never had a laptop heat up at the wrists (correct, I've never had a macbook pro) Usually vents are on the side, the air has no sides so it vents down. Just something to think about before you buy, something I wish I had and something that made it a dealbreaker.

I'm curious to see how they'd stick a fan/vent on the side of it. It'd have to be able to fit on needle point. Also, just curious, Have you ever thought of putting an atlas or something similar between the laptop and your soft surfaces? Seems like common practice for most.

 

[jalpert]

From the post history, it looks like jalpert had not yet located a MBA to purchase at 2:07 pm on 2/4/08 yet he had already returned it by 2:51 pm on 2/5/08. That's just over 24 hrs.

Ha! It took 5-10 minutes for the thing to heat up, what does 22 hours have to do with it?

 

[jalpert]

I've been using my MBA on the couch for hours at a time and have had no heat issues. I just keep my knees far enough apart to allow ventilation. It's very comfortable.

I tried that as well. I shut the thing down and did nothing but web browse. At any given time I was able to keep about 1/2 the vent open (without being in some strange position) For me it didn't work, it became unacceptably hot.