1 Introduction2 Tips on How to Use Laptop in Bed Without Overheating2.1 Using a Sturdy Surface (Lap Desks)2.2 Get a Laptop Bed Stand2.3 Buy a Laptop Cooling Pad2.4 Use a Nightstand2.5 Hook Up Your Laptop to Your TV3 Final Words
If you’re using your computer on a table or any other hard surface, the cooling vents do not get blocked and they receive a constant airflow which allows for cooling. However, when you place an electronic device on a rather mushy surface such as a couch, a bed or a blanket, it sinks into that surface which leads to overheating. If you look underneath your laptop, you’ll see hat all of the cooling slots are located there. Even if your laptop has those on the side, placing it on a soft surface stops the air circulation process making it almost impossible for your laptop to regulate its temperature. Also Read: Can I Leave My Laptop Plugged in Overnight? If you look rather closely, you’ll see that underneath your laptop there are small feet which allow for a minor gap between your laptop and the surface that it rests on. However, this only comes into play when you place it on a firm surface. Since a bed is not really firm, it presses up against your laptop and messes up the circulation. Don’t worry though, there are several ways to get around this situation. You can still chill in bed and do whatever you have to do by following one of our tips on how to use your laptop in bed without overheating. Also Read: How Hot is Too Hot For a Laptop
Tips on How to Use Laptop in Bed Without Overheating
Using a Sturdy Surface (Lap Desks)
So, we have established the fact that a laptop should not be placed on a soft surface. The only way to combat this and keep using your laptop in bed is by placing it on a firm, sturdy surface. If you’re at home, then the easiest way to achieve this is by placing it on a book or a magazine. This is not ideal, but it will do the trick for now. You can also use something more stable such as a tray but the best solution that we would recommend is a small lap desk. These are extremely affordable and offer the best bang for your buck. Lap desks not only prevent your laptop from overheating, but they also keep you from knocking it off on accident. They’re the perfect accessory for anyone looking to work on their laptop in bed on a daily basis. Lap desks are not only ideal for working on the computer, but also perfect for writing, reading the news paper, browsing on your tablet or even having breakfast in bed while you’re watching TV. Also Read: How to Cool Laptop While Gaming
Get a Laptop Bed Stand
Laptops are great but definitely present a challenge for those looking to use them outside of a desk setting. Using a laptop on your lap means looking down constantly, putting pressure on your neck. If you lift the laptop to eye level, the keyboard will be too high and will put strain on your wrists. If you’re using a laptop on the couch or in bed, pretty much every comfortable position is bad for your spine. A laptop bed stand is ideal for posture, and overall a much better option. The flexibility of the stand allows you to tilt the base of your laptop to secure your wrists and tilt the screen so you don’t have to look down while still comfortably using the device. As a bonus, laptop bed stands can minimize the body fatigue associated with posture. Bed Stands are quite similar to Lap Desks but offer a lot more control so you can experiment different angles and postures until you find one that works for you!
Buy a Laptop Cooling Pad
All laptops have the ability to heat up. Some heat up more, others less, it depends on the model and also for what purpose the laptop is being used. While a Lap Desk or a Bed Stand are better choices to keep your laptop running for as long as possible, you can also use a Laptop Cooling Pad to keep your laptop from overheating in bed. A cooling pad will not only regulate your laptop’s temperature it will also help reduce noise during operation. Cooling Pads are absolutely essential if you’re a power user. They’re mostly used in combination with a sturdy surface by people who run heavy duty programs or play hi fi games on their laptops. For power users, a conventional notebook stand will only partially solve the problem, if you have a powerful computer, you also need to get a cooling pad. See our related article Do Cooling Pads Work? Cooling Pads function via the air intake through the holes below. There is not much distance from the bottom to the bed’s surface, so the ventilation of the laptop is not properly ensured. Laptop stands provide a much better cooling effect and are much more convenient to use in bed. However, if you’re someone who works in bed constantly, you should also get a cooling pad for the ideal combination! Also Read: How to Keep Your Laptop Cool in a Hot Car
Use a Nightstand
If you’re unable to get a Lap Desk or a Cooling Pad then your next best bet is to use a Night Stand. While this may not be the ideal solution, it certainly works! We all have a nightstand right next to our beds, so why not make the most of it? If you’re in a rush and need to get some work done without having to sit on a desk then go ahead and reposition your nightstand. Make sure to place the nightstand at an angle that is comfortable to work with, especially if you’re planning on working for an extended period of time. You don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on your neck or your spine. It is best to lay on your side and have the nightstand pressed up against the bed so you have plenty of space while your laptop is sitting on the stand independently. This way you’ll also eliminate any chances of having an accident and knocking your computer over by mistake.
Hook Up Your Laptop to Your TV
This option could either be your last resort or your first preference. If you do not have any other options available but have a TV in your room, then go ahead and connect your laptop to your TV via an HDMI cable or through Bluetooth and place your laptop on a desk or on the TV stand so it doesn’t have to sit on the bed. The only drawback is that if your TV isn’t close or big enough then you’ll have to move up or you won’t be able to see a lot of the smaller text that comes up on the screen. People are also not used to working further away from the screen when it comes to computers. Finally, you’re also going to need external peripherals such as a wireless mouse and a wireless keyboard to make this option viable. However, if you’re planning on watching a movie through your laptop then this is the number one choice! What’s better than hooking up your laptop to your TV for watching movies while you can rock out with a bucket of popcorn and some beer! (and if you are using a Roku TV that is having issues, we have a guide on how to fix your Roku TV Black Screen).
Final Words
All of the options given above have their pros and cons but using a Laptop Bed Stand will probably give you the most out of your experience of working in bed while also keeping your laptop cool. Or maybe just bite the bullet and buy a laptop that doesn’t overheat. Another thing to keep in mind is that electronic devices which generate a lot of heat tend to do better in cooler temperatures. If you live somewhere were it’s cold most of the year, then you shouldn’t have to worry as much. However, for people who live in warm climates, overheating is definitely a serious issue! We hope that you’re able to find the optimal solution according to your needs! Good luck with working in bed and keeping your laptop from overheating. You may also like: Can I Leave My Laptop Plugged in Overnight? How Hot is Too Hot For a Laptop How to Cool Laptop While Gaming How to Keep Your Laptop Cool in a Hot Car
