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    W520 heat output: my pants aren't on fire

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by nolaknf, Jul 21, 2011.

  1. nolaknf

    nolaknf Notebook Enthusiast

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    When I was researching my W520 purchase I came across at least two reviews that indicated it was not a laptop for the lap, that it generated an uncomfortable amount of heat. So far, I've found that it's far more comfortable than the Dell Latitude 820 it replaced. Given that it's a Sandy Bridge its heat generation is likely lower and the housing seems less prone to transmit heat. My only caveat would be that my work is largely text processing and database searching of one form or another, with only occasional video encoding. But the reviews offered no qualification to their warning.
     
    nolaknf, Jul 21, 2011
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  2. kirayamato26

    kirayamato26 Notebook Deity

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    Try running OCCT in Linpack mode and Furmark on 1080p Xtreme Burn-in and then report back. :p

    It is very lap friendly if you aren't using both the CPU and GPU at the same time.
     
    kirayamato26, Jul 21, 2011
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  3. infinus

    infinus Notebook Evangelist

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    Agreed! When idle it sips so little power it's just fine on lap, better than any laptop I've ever had. Loaded up though, sucking down 100+ watts of power, this laptop puts out more heat than any laptop I've ever owned! I find it amazing the two extremes it can get to.
     
    infinus, Jul 21, 2011
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  4. kirayamato26

    kirayamato26 Notebook Deity

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    I've used hotter laptops than the W520 on full load. And even at full load, I think the heat is acceptable (feels like hot bath water temperature qualitatively). Though, I certainly don't want to use it on my lap when it's under full load.
     
    kirayamato26, Jul 21, 2011
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