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Laptops are a popular choice of computer for those who want to do computing on the go, but unlike desktop computers, laptops are more prone to overheating, which can lead to significant mechanical problems.

Why So Hot?

Laptops were created with air vents to help funnel out the heat generated by the computer, but most of the time, these vents are located under the base of the laptop, i.e., on your lap or another work surface, which tends to block the air flow, keeping the heat confined within the computer.

Other contributors to a hot laptop including running programs that require lots of memory such as games, videos or other graphic-laden programs that make your computer run at a high capacity. A faulty cooling system can also be the culprit.

Cool it

So how do you avoid a laptop meltdown? Here are a few great tips to keep it from overheating:

• Invest in a laptop cooling pad, a special surface specifically designed to deflect the heat your laptop generates.
• Keep your air vents free of dust also helps, so make sure to clean the vents regularly.
• Avoid running multiple programs that use lots of graphics or memory. These programs are energy zappers, which cause your laptop to run on overdrive.
• Avoid having multiple windows open on your computer. When a program is no longer in use, close it out.