Best notebook cooler for use in bed?

I use my laptop a lot in bed or on a couch, so it's often lying on a soft surface. Not good for battery life, components etc I guess.

What notebook cooler would be best for this purpose? Most of them seems to be intended for use on a desktop, having air intakes under the cooling pad.

 

Your wife/husband. Seriously if it works fine on a desk heat wise I use a large book about an inch bigger all around (Monet) 1.5 cm thick no plugs. Monet book $50 cooler $20

 

Thermaltake's iXoft would be nice for this job I think...

 

Forgive the noob question, but could someone quickly explain why a flat, solid surface like a book would help the temps?

 

If you have a soft surface, it can easily press up against the vents, preventing air flow. If you have a book, or piece of glass, something there, that will prevent anything from blocking air flow. Usually, that works well. When I am lying in bed with my laptop, I use a piece of steel, and it works wonderfully. I have used books before too, they are just a bit larger, and since i move around often, that makes them cumbersome.

 

I want to add soft surfaces like blankets and clothes might give off lint which can compromise entire cooling system until cleaned.

 

Awesome, thanks for the info.

 

I use a piece of plywood that broke off my desk years ago. It serves as an awesome laptop placeholder as it's just about the perfect length and width for my 17" notebook.