Keeping my laptop cool

I'm using the phrase laptop rather loosely here. I use a convertible tablet on my lap, so I'll refer to it as a laptop. I currently use a Vantec LapCool 2 but I've tried other laptop coolers as well. Some blow air up while others blow air down. Some are designed to be used on a desk while others are meant to be used on your lap.

Over the years, I've found that many people don't use a laptop cooler. They don't realize how high temperatures can impact the lifespan of computers. Hard drives have spinning parts that will degrade over time when exposed to high heats. Other components are also susceptible to failure when they overheat. There was a time when I didn't use a laptop cooler regularly. Now, I do everything I can to keep the temperatures as low as possible.

As more mobile computers use solid state hard drives or SSDs, we will see some reductions in heat because we won't have spinning parts anymore. Plus, low-voltage processors are keeping things a bit cooler as well.