1<page xmlns="http://projectmallard.org/1.0/"
2      type="topic"
3      style="problem"
4      id="power-hotcomputer">
5
6  <info>
7    <link type="guide" xref="power#problems"/>
8    <revision pkgversion="3.4.0" date="2012-02-20" status="review"/>
9    <revision pkgversion="3.18" date="2015-09-28" status="final"/>
10
11    <desc>Computers usually get warm, but if they get too hot they can overheat, which can be damaging.</desc>
12
13    <credit type="author">
14      <name>GNOME Documentation Project</name>
15      <email>gnome-doc-list@gnome.org</email>
16    </credit>
17
18    <include href="legal.xml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude"/>
19  </info>
20
21<title>My computer gets really hot</title>
22
23<p>Most computers get warm after a while, and some can get quite hot. This is
24normal: it is simply part of the way that the computer cools itself. However,
25if your computer gets very warm it could be a sign that it is overheating,
26which can potentially cause damage.</p>
27
28<p>Most laptops get reasonably warm once you have been using them for a while.
29It is generally nothing to worry about — computers produce a lot of heat and
30laptops are very compact, so they need to remove their heat rapidly and their
31outer casing warms up as a result. Some laptops do get too hot, however, and
32may be uncomfortable to use. This is normally the result of a poorly-designed
33cooling system. You can sometimes get additional cooling accessories which fit
34to the bottom of the laptop and provide more efficient cooling.</p>
35
36<p>If you have a desktop computer which feels hot to the touch, it may have
37insufficient cooling. If this concerns you, you can buy extra cooling fans or
38check that the cooling fans and vents are free from dust and other blockages.
39You might want to consider putting the computer in a better-ventilated area too
40— if kept in confined spaces (for example, in a cupboard), the cooling system in the
41computer may not be able to remove heat and circulate cool air fast enough.</p>
42
43<comment>
44  <cite date="2012-02-20" href="mailto:kittykat3756@gmail.com">Ekaterina
45  Gerasimova</cite>
46  <p>TODO: add that some laptops come with warnings to not use them on laps</p>
47</comment>
48
49<p>Some people are concerned about the health risks of using hot laptops. There
50are suggestions that prolonged use of a hot laptop on your lap might possibly
51reduce fertility, and there are reports of minor burns being suffered
52too (in extreme cases). If you are concerned about these potential problems,
53you may wish to consult a medical practitioner for advice. Of course, you can
54simply choose not to rest the laptop on your lap.</p>
55
56<p>Most modern computers will shut themselves down if they get too hot, to
57prevent themselves from becoming damaged. If your computer keeps shutting down,
58this might be the reason. If your computer is overheating, you will probably
59need to get it repaired.</p>
60
61</page>
62