Keeping your laptop cool.

Laptops have come a long way from being heavy and having much less power and capabilities compared to their desktop counterparts. Even better, laptops have become more affordable than ever. The number one hardware problem I run into as a technician is a problem from a laptop overheating continuously. There are a few main points to consider to keep your laptop cool and to prolong its life and keep it out of the repair shop.

1. Notice the vents on your laptop. Most are on the bottom. With this in mind, setting your laptop on a couch, bed, or other surface that keeps it from "breathing" so to speak, will cause it to overheat. Keep these vents open during the operation of your laptop. 
2. Operate the laptop in a clean environment. Environments with a lot of dust will clog the airport on your laptop and make the fan virtually useless. It wouldn't hurt to even take it into a technician to have them clean out your laptop by taking it apart and doing a checkup. 
3. Getting a laptop cooling stand to place it on keeps it much cooler by assisting your laptop's internal cooling system. 

Preventative maintenance is way better than having to buy another laptop, pay a large repair bill, or losing valuable data. Keeping your laptop clean and free of dust will ensure a long life while keeping it out of the repair shop.