Quick laptop question

[duff88]

Is there a problem with using a laptop on your knees and in your bed without using a table/support under it? My brother keeps on telling me that it can overheat because it won't cool correctly because it's made to be used on a table.

Also, I've read a study on the internet about laptop on knees elevating the temperature of the scrotum, leading to sterility. But how is that different than let's say taking one hour spas or half an hour baths every day?

Just wanted some quick opinions, couldn't find anything useful on google.

EDIT: And by the way, there doesn't seem to be any over-heating problems right now.

[ThunderingHERD]

If it runs hot anyway it might be a problem, maybe if you're running a graphically intense game or something. It should automatically go into suspend if it starts to overheat, though.

edit:
My brother had an old Toshiba Satellite w/ a video card that was prone to overheating in those kind of conditions. My Dell w/ onboard graphics hasn't overheated once in a year and a half--and it's practically attached to my lap.

[Marc Vaughan]

Overheating from sitting on a lap is mainly a problem with laptops where fan vents are situated only at the bottom of the laptop (Rock laptops used to have this) - in such situations they will overheat and the processor slow down/stop depending on how bad it gets.

I haven't come across real problems in this area for at least 3-5 years now, most laptops are pretty resilient to such things these days (at least the DELL's I use are).

With regards to the sterility side of things - well I've got 3 kids so this isn't something that scares me as much as it might have as a teenager ;)

[Kalypso]

All from research, some experience, and chats with my IT buddies be forewarned I am not an expert! :

Some laptops will overheat, especially because of the ventilation problem as well as dependent on the battery size you have with your laptop. There were some laptops for a while spontaneously catching fire due to a factory battery problem (search online, you can find videos of this that are crazy!!) Also, if you have the wireless option on consistently, it will continuously search for wireless network connections which can cause it to heat up if you aren't connected to a wireless connection.

Some laptops are supposed to have some sort of air flow under them to keep it cool. I love working with it on my lap, and bought a Targus chill mat that works great-keeps it cool and works off the USB. Does take some battery power but it is quiet and flat. Only about 30 bucks.

No advice about the sterilty part-haven't researched it, definately no exprience, and my IT buddies and I aren't that close. :)
Hope this helps!
~Kalypso