How to Keep a Laptop Cool in the field

[mintmix]

I am trying to find a solution to my dilemma: 6ch. Holophone into a metric halo 2882 into a macbook all running off of battery power stuffed into a laptop bag.

The problem is heat. Their is no airflow and the laptop is running extremely hot to the point where I am worried it is becoming unstable.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep the laptop cool without sacrificing mobility?

Is there any way to use cold packs without creating condensation?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[mixedupsteve]

Why are you running the laptop in the bag? Or did I not read that right?
Picture?

[loujudson]

Good question. How do you open the laptop in the bag?

Ideal solution is a Sound Devices 788! ;-)

Not trying to be wiseass, both curious and serious.

There are alos commonly available cooling stands with fans in them at office supply stores:
Laptop cooling Laptop Accessories at BizRate - Price Comparison
L

[jpupo74]

Originally Posted by mintmix

I am trying to find a solution to my dilemma: 6ch. Holophone into a metric halo 2882 into a macbook all running off of battery power stuffed into a laptop bag.

The problem is heat. Their is no airflow and the laptop is running extremely hot to the point where I am worried it is becoming unstable.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep the laptop cool without sacrificing mobility?

Is there any way to use cold packs without creating condensation?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I don't understand the "bag thing" but this is good.
LiftOff ™ Portable Notebook Cooling Stand - K60149 - Kensington

Cheers,
Pupo

[desotoslo]

Sometimes I place a big cold thingie under my laptop, at least when I'm home. It's actually for wrapping around your knee, but it's pretty big and wide, and is covered in a cloth on one side, and a nylon-type fabric on the other.

It doesn't produce any condensation, and dramatically cools down my laptop. This is usually handy when I'm recording during the day in the summertime and the laptop fan is on all the time. This really cuts it.

Athletic Ice Knee Wrap - For Knee Physical Therapy

That's basically what I've got. But I somehow doubt you'd want to spend $30 on a couple of those. Also, they lose their ice-ness fairly quickly when under my computer. You'd have to find a way to keep them cold and insulated before you use them. (maybe an thermos picnic box or something?)

[jude]

maybe im over thinking it, but why not take the lappy out of the bag?

[desotoslo]

btw, regarding those knee wraps, the nylon covered part does condensate, but the fuzzy outside does not. as long as the fuzzy outside is showing on all sides, i don't think you'd have a problem. (that is the standard configuration of the wrap.) also, laptops get really hot, and the wrap wouldn't last more than 30 minutes or so inside the bag before you'd have to switch it out.

[mintmix]

Thank you all for both your ideas and questions... I bought a Holophone about a year ago to do 5.1 SFX recordings but didn't really have the budget for a 6 ch. field recorder.

By using a metric halo 2882 I am able to get 8 firewire buss powered channels of audio into the laptop. By creating an adhoc wireless network broadcasting from my laptop I am able to set levels and control the transport all from my iphone via a VNC app. (I am able to keep the laptop closed via InsomniaX.)

So the problem I have now is keeping the laptop cool. I guess I was hoping that I there might be some sort of miniature airconditioning unit I could stuff in a good laptop bag that has breathable pocket. I mean if I can control the thing with my phone why not this!

Realistically I should just bite the bullet and get a 788T though...

[loujudson]

iphone remote, how cool! To use a word... But laptops aren't usually designed to operate closed, especially in a bag. Maybe some kind of heatsink, and if you have the power, something could be fashioned with those solid state coolers as used in car coolers? Put in 12v, get a cool piece of metal. But one the size for a six pack will kill a new car battery overnight, I know from experience. But maybe they are more efficient now?

Look into it and see what can be found - bet you can do it!

Solar powered, perhaps?

L

[mh_bj]

How about finding a bag that has something like a netting pocket (on the outside) so that you can put the laptop at in the net pocket so that it can heat-exchange with the air.

I think that you have similar issues with the 788 (it runs hot).

Edit: I've been told by users of the 788 that it doesn't run hot -- so I guess my understanding of the situation was incorrect.

[audio ergo sum]

Originally Posted by mintmix

Thank you all for both your ideas and questions... I bought a Holophone about a year ago to do 5.1 SFX recordings but didn't really have the budget for a 6 ch. field recorder.

...

If I were you, I would think about exchanging the holophone with something that actually makes sense first. Holophone can not work to 5.1 or 5.0 spec, it has been proven numerous times.

They have an impressive user list. Built on convenience of setup and lack of engineering knowledge...

[jpupo74]

Originally Posted by mintmix

Thank you all for both your ideas and questions... I bought a Holophone about a year ago to do 5.1 SFX recordings but didn't really have the budget for a 6 ch. field recorder.

By using a metric halo 2882 I am able to get 8 firewire buss powered channels of audio into the laptop. By creating an adhoc wireless network broadcasting from my laptop I am able to set levels and control the transport all from my iphone via a VNC app. (I am able to keep the laptop closed via InsomniaX.)

So the problem I have now is keeping the laptop cool. I guess I was hoping that I there might be some sort of miniature airconditioning unit I could stuff in a good laptop bag that has breathable pocket. I mean if I can control the thing with my phone why not this!

Realistically I should just bite the bullet and get a 788T though...

Wow Dude!
This is really interesting.
iPhones, coolers, closed laptops!
VNC app!

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by mintmix

Realistically I should just bite the bullet and get a 788T though...

or the Nagra VI

[mintmix]

Originally Posted by audio ergo sum

If I were you, I would think about exchanging the holophone with something that actually makes sense first. Holophone can not work to 5.1 or 5.0 spec, it has been proven numerous times.

They have an impressive user list. Built on convenience of setup and lack of engineering knowledge...

Could you back that statement up with a link or some sort of empirical evidence perhaps?

[RubixGroove]

There's a nifty little app. for the Mac called "SMCfancontrol".

Check into it! I can say that I was kind of a sceptic, but I installed it and tinkered with the different fan speeds and fell in love.

The Mac(book) has fans that "react" to the work-load.
If you're just browsing the 'net and listening to tunes, you won't even hear the fans whirring around but if you start recording a few tracks for longer than ten minutes... you'll hear them barely turning.

I used to have a cooling pad but quickly found it to be pointless once I started using that app!

Hope that helps!
(PS - always make sure your computer can breathe! I hear that the Macbooks are designed as one large heatsink, so it's probably a good idea to put the computer laying on a flat surface. Make sure that the area with the HDD is touching something flat, too, with SMC and your computer will run at a sexy temp!)

[orion411]

I'm sure there are many good reasons to need a laptop that will run in a backpack/bag. The two reasons I have are:

1) Keep my VPNs connected to work so it looks like I'm always online and available even if I'm on my bike or walking from my house to the coffee shop.

2) Connect my helmet cam to my laptop and stream live video to U-Stream with my laptop via Verizon or Sprint 4G while riding my bike or any other adventure.

Currently my HP Envy 17 is the benchmark for worst performing under heat. It will shutdown if the ambient temperature is over 90 degrees. I can't even work in my camper with it. If in a backpack the computer will detect overheating and shut itself down. I have to leave the backpack unzipped with the vent fan blowing out of the pack. Very sketchy toting it around with an unzipped backpack and I have to get to an air conditioned destination quick before it overheats.

I added a SSD drive in order to reduce weight and heat. Also to prevent hard drive crash from sudden jolts.

My HP V6000 CTO never had overheating problems unless I zipped it closed inside my backpack for several hours. Any ideas for a cool running laptop with good performance?

[Rolo 46]

Laptops, unless Military Signals type (they weigh a ton) are not fit for field purpose.
Get a proper field recorder, the solid state SD 788 in a Portabrace.
DPA do a 5.1 device.
A Nagra VI doesn't fit in a Back pack (info for J Willett) only a Globe Trotter suitcase.....
Roger

[JonesH]

Originally Posted by mh_bj

How about finding a bag that has something like a netting pocket (on the outside) so that you can put the laptop at in the net pocket so that it can heat-exchange with the air.

And there we have it!

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Originally Posted by mintmix

I am trying to find a solution to my dilemma: 6ch. Holophone into a metric halo 2882 into a macbook all running off of battery power stuffed into a laptop bag.

The problem is heat. Their is no airflow and the laptop is running extremely hot to the point where I am worried it is becoming unstable.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep the laptop cool without sacrificing mobility?

Is there any way to use cold packs without creating condensation?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Look at these...

HeatShift Laptop Cooler 15 Inch Mac | ThermaPAK

Thermoelectric cooling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Amazon.com: Cooler Master Storm SF 19 17" Laptop Cooler with USB 3.0 (SGA-6000-KKYF1): Electronics

CP2-31-10-L-1 - Peltier junction's 2.5V 3Amp ThermoElectric

Single Stage - Thermoelectric modules - English

Best of luck!