MacBook – Horizontal or Vertical stand for cooling a Macbook

coolingmacbook protemperature

I have a Macbook Pro (2010 model) that I like to connect an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse too. I like to keep the lid down, and have it running almost all the time, 24/7.

There are several laptop stands and cooling pads out there, most of which I've seen the laptop is placed horizontally on. But there are some that hold the Macbook vertically.

My question is: Which is better to help cool the Macbook, a vertical or horizontal stand? Is it negligible?

If it helps, say the Macbook is being used for something graphics intensive where it heats up quite a bit. My concern is that when the lid is down, and the heat can't escape as easily.

Best Answer

Bookarc looks great, but closing the lid means thermal problems. It's not meant to be used that way, and under full load, this probably will lead to noise and overheating. I was planning to buy a stand (since I use my MacBook Pro with external monitor and keyboard), but inadequate cooling stops me, however keeping it open all the time accumulates dust.

Here is my "Reverse V" method

  1. Connect all cables (video) and close the lid.
  2. Wake from external mouse/keyboard. This will force using only the external display.
  3. Open the lid to about 20-40 degrees. Internal display will remain off. The Macbook will be in a "V" like shape.
  4. Put it on the desktop in reversed "V" form on something soft. I recommend old polyurethane mouse pad or shaped polystyrene.
    /\\
   /  \\     - MacBook
  /    \\
===========  - mat/soft mousepad

Pros

  • Perfect cooling. Warm air gets up, there are no obstructions to the vents and all parts are exposed to colder air.
  • Cooler means less fan noise under load.
  • Takes less space than fully opened notebook.
  • Better bluetooth/wifi reception because lid is not fully closed (compared to fully closed one).
  • Less dust accumulation.

Cons

  • You cannot use your internal IR receiver.
  • Some people will not be comfortable to run their HDDs from this position (10-20 degrees vertical inclination). I think it's perfectly safe.. and I have trustworthy backup system.
  • If computer sleeps, you should do the steps from 2-4 again or the internal display will be on.
  • Looks kinda strange compared to the great looking vertical stands available.
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