Any danger in running laptop on it's side?

Asked by RocketSquid (3483

) July 27th, 2010

I’m planning on plugging a KVM switch into my mouse, keyboard and monitor, so that way I can switch between my laptop and my desktop easy.

The problem is I don’t have much room on my desk to put the laptop flat. I have a couple of shelves where I could easily fit it on one of it’s sides or it’s spine.

I know it’s not going to fall apart the moment I turn it on if it’s on it’s side, but I want to make sure I’m not doing any kind of long term damage or any other little risks that could build up over time. Is there anything like that, or other things I should look for, if I’m going to be running a laptop on it’s side with the lid closed?

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3 Answers

You are not damaging it. In fact, you wouldn’t find it hard to find products (stands) that would help you do this, such as http://www.twelvesouth.com/

In fact, the first time I did it I probably helped my MacBook b/c all this black crap came out of the bottom. It was dust from the fans.

mrrich724 (8547

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I used to work on mine laying on it’s top, because I needed to get cool air to the bottom. I have a cool-pad now, so I don’t have to work upside down so to speak.

YARNLADY (46378

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