having second thoughts about the Aurora...

The term laptop became a popular term used to describe older portable computers, as computers did not have very powerful processors and components back in the day(they were top of the line back then)they simply did not generate much heat nor required any cooling devices inside and you could easily put them to rest on your lap and work comfortably from there as they did not generate much heat, they just warmed up a little. Some people are still used to those specs from back in the day.

As portable computers got more powerful they needed to have more powerful components inside that generated more heat and therefore you could not have them sitting on your lap for long. The term laptop although is the popular term to describe portable computers now it is being questioned as you can hardly put them on your lap for extended periods of time due to the heat they generate, now the correct term used for these computers is mobile computers.

However, depending on the processor type and the components that a mobile computer is built on it may generate less heat.

Keep in mind, that the Aurora m7700 like other systems like it regardless of brand generate more heat than say Centrino and Turion based systems because it has a full desktop processor on it, multiple hard drives/optical units, and an NVIDIA 6800/7800 go video card which kicks the pants off integrated motherboard video cards but indeed does generate more heat.

Some people are also careless (or ignore what the manual is or follow proper guidelines) and block the fan vents underneath the system which will cause the system to mafunction. Also some people bump their systems or use them in inappropriate environments (using a laptop in the snow anyone?).

Although sometimes stuff happens and a system malfunctions a system will last long and work well as long as you follow proper use guidelines and take care of it properly.

I would never put my Aurora on my lap...but I suppose you could put the lapcool4 or maybe a small stand on your lap, then the Aurora...eh maybe but i'm not going to try it. (It's a portable desktop so I don't consider it a laptop.) If you put it directly on your lap you will block the fans and screw up your laptop.

I wouldn't put it directly on my lap. Its likely to block the vents (especially if you're playing a game) and cause it to overheat. If you have a hard flat surface under it then it would work just fine. You don't need one of those fancy cooling devices though, anything that gives you the flat surface works well. I have a metal case for my laptop and when I want to use it on my lap I just set the laptop on the case. This gives it plenty of ventilation and also a place to use my wireless mouse. If you dont have a case, something simple like a pice of plywood (if you're going for the natural look) or a wide book would work fine

It is mobile. I just isn't as stated above "A Laptop". That is the only drawback for me going from my old sony which I would occasionally sit on the couch and do some surfing and email. I knew this going in so it doesn't bother me. If you are looking for a laptop stay clear of any that have intake fans on the bottom of it I guess, but they won't be power houses like the 7700's.

That would be the safe way to do it, and not have it overheat by blocking the intake fans. I haven't tried mine on my lap yet so I don't know how much trouble it would be. I might look into one of those breakfast in bed type table/trays.

immobile just because you cant put it on your lap????

i have the clevo chasis on my 51 m7700, i use a cutout plexyglass rectangle that i put on my lap before the notebook itself... this creates area for air to circulate even when on my lap. my 7700 is the most efficiant mobile system i have seen. i have the AW Premium XL bag and it makes it easy to carry around.

mobile, yes.

Yes the 7700's are very mobile, I take mine everywhere I go. IF you want to use it on your lap you'll need a tray or some other kind of flat surface. The plexiglass Dexrr mentioned is perfect for puting it on your lap. Get somethign simple and light (either a pice of plexiglass, metal, wood, or a case you can rest it on like me) and take it with your laptop wherever you go. Its not very complicated, when you pack your laptop to go somewhere just pack the tray right under it.

I posted last week about some of the issues I was having with an Aurora that my company owns. Basically I was called a moron for using this thing on my bed and not giving it any room to breathe. While I acknowledge that was NOT the smartest thing to do, it proved to me that I didn't want to purchase a 6,000 system that was that fragile. I decided to buy a lighter, cheaper, cooler Area-51 5500. That way I won't be freaking out if I tend to use my laptop on my LAP!

It's all about what you want the system to do, and knowing the limitations of each choice before going in.

I agree and having a system to actually test pointed me in the best direction.

And everyone that made suggestions to me was very nice and helpful. I don't mean to insinuate that people were calling me names or whatever...

One thing I've seen suggested for lap/bed usage:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=10179076

I don't mean to say that the system is like an egg. It depends on your lifestyle. As I type this I have my thinkpad propped up on my knee watching ESPN. I know it would be a lot more difficult to do anything like that with a machine that has a 17 inch screen and has a need for five bottom fans to distribute heat. I also found out that some of the problems I was experiencing with WOW might have had more to do with me playing over a wireless network than heat. Still, I just kept stressing everytime I had the Aurora on anything but a flap surface like a table. If that's the case, why not just get a desktop? Again, I'm sure a lot of other guys have more experience with these things than I do but I'm happy with my decision to go with the 5500 (of which has yet to get out of phase 1). If you want a "desktop replacement", know that you are going to sacrafice some mobility. If you want a real laptop, know you are probably going to sacrafice some raw power.

It will FIT in your lap, it just won't be very comfortable. Combine the weight and the heat and you'll see why a lot of guys get lapcoolers or whatever. You are getting a desktop replacement, not a laptop. It's meant to be mobile within limits. Have you ever picked up a fully decked out Aurora? I've seen machine guns that weigh less!!!

Choco...it is a mobile desktop...I would not do what you are proposing as it will get hot, very hot..I learned that from my 7700, but if you do as recommended, put a flat surface of some king under it, you will be fine..