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DIY ad-hoc laptop riser

DIY ad-hoc laptop riser
A riser elevates the laptop to make a gap beneath it. This quarter inch of space lets hot air escape and reduces heat to the desks surface. This isn't quite sturdy enough to be a stand and it lacks any device that could make it a cooler. It's really a temporary solution for a stand designed for heat dispersal. Obviously it's less effectual than a cooling system, but more of a convenience if a cooler isn't available. This might be the cheapest, quickest, easiest way to make a gap of space, but it's also the crudest.
 
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Step 1Cut up the cardboard

Cut up the cardboard
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  • corrugationangle.JPG
  • cutcardboard.JPG
Originally the idea was done with folded paper wedges, but thick drink coasters have also been used. These risers are cut from a piece of double stacked cardboard. The shift to a composite material uses corrugation to add to breath ability. The gutters in the corrugation aim toward each corner to guide heat away from the laptops surface area. If this were incorporated into a cooler stand, the air would be able to pass through each cardboard corner with out resistance. If a desk fan was aimed at the tables' surface, winds could still ventilate the gap but still not as efficiently as fan directly beneath it.
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14 comments
Feb 19, 2009. 10:40 AMBiker_Dude_14 says:
why the hell are you so cheep
Jan 1, 2012. 1:32 PMspawnos3717 says:
Look in the mirror, dude!!
Nov 8, 2009. 4:14 AMkentinstow says:
"It's a Cheap thing; if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand."
:)

I just HAD to rip off the old "It's a Jeep thing..." ad.


I'm looking at making a variety of simple risers using pvc conduit, w/ and w/o T's and elbows. Just something simple I can cram in my bag.

Jan 1, 2012. 1:30 PMspawnos3717 says:
It certainly addresses recyclabliity! I believe the most profane inventions are usually the simplest ones.
Oct 12, 2009. 4:15 PMwoelfwynde says:
Here's my idea for a laptop riser:
4 soda bottle caps with the open side up and placed under the "feet" of the laptop.
Jul 24, 2009. 5:27 PMKasm279 says:
iBook G4 *drools* my laptop (averatec 3700) kinda looks like that (12")
Apr 28, 2009. 10:37 AMsamdavidphillips says:
I used to do this with old floppy disks I had lying around. I didn't have them that far under though, just enough to keep the computer elevated...
Mar 12, 2009. 5:28 PMlukkbox says:
nice but tramps sleep in cardboard because it has fantastic heat holding abilities so you might wanna pick a material that is a bit less insulative brother also, rubber riser feet have been on sale for years for just a couple of $ , where you been bro? your cardboard risers are also VERY big and may infact be blocking air intakes underneath your laptop which could cause some SERIOUS malfunction of your lappy make sure the vents are clear! you only need it raised on 4 'points' ... not slabs hehehe other than that constructive critiscism, well done!
Apr 1, 2008. 9:59 AMThe Dark Ninja says:
I have been wondering if I should do something like this. My laptop (when running WinXP) is really really hot! Its so hot that it has melted my "Genuine Windows Product" sticker on the bottom. I think I will give this a try. Thanks for a good idea!
Mar 12, 2009. 5:31 PMlukkbox says:
get yourself some rubber riser feet do not copy this, you could end up defeating the object of your invention and destroying your laptop through a blocked vent and overheating it fair warning brother ....
Nov 16, 2008. 7:38 AMCann0n says:
Operating systems doesn't really matter much.
Nov 16, 2008. 10:16 AMThe Dark Ninja says:
Actually, power consumption by the OS does make a huge difference. When I run Ubuntu LInux my laptop battery can last around 2.5 hours with similar settings as I would have in XP. Under XP I would only get about 60 to 90 minutes. It also makes a huge difference in what you're doing how the OS responds to it. The more power a system uses the more heat it's going to generate by using that power.

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