Mine is on nearly all the time. There’s no problem with using it all the time. Of course, you’ll want to turn off the screen if you leave it on and go away so you can save the LCD lamp and that’s as easy as simply closing the notebook.
I usually have something downloading, so I leave my TR2 on 24/7. My VAIO SR17K has had similar usage since 2000, and it still works fine. I keep the TR on a little platform with a fan in it to keep it cool, but nothing else special.
Don’t worry about overcharging. I don’t think that’s possible. My previous laptop was a Toshiba and I left that thing plugged into the AC all the time. No problems.
Cellery, what’s your platform look like? You say it has a fan in it?
Yep, it’s the Antec Notebook Cooler, and it’s made of perforated aluminum with two quiet ball bearing fans in the bottom that keep the notebook cool. It’s also powered through a USB plug, pretty neat.
Hey cellery, - so you leave your TR on 24/7 right? Where can I find that cooler system, and if I am going to leave it on the same amount of time, do you think I should get it? Also, I am searching for a docking station…have you seen one, do they even make one for the TR? And if they do, the cooling system probably wouldnt work right? Thanks in advance.
Is that really true, you can only use your tr for 2 hrs max with ac plugged in?
I use mine in the evening a lot, it sits on my lap while i watch tv, so that i can wirelessly surf at the same time, while lolling on the sofa!
Cellery, one question about that laptop stand. How effective is it?
The hottest part of the TR seems to be the bottom left of the keyboard rest and the area below and around the caps lock button. Looking at the design of that thing, it seems like it curves in…right where the TR gets hottest. Any comments?
You can find the cooler pad at a ton of online e-tailers like Amazon or Newegg or at Office Depot if you prefer a B&M store.
If my digital camera was working I would snap a pic, but the shot above is one of a 12” PowerBook on top of the pad. The TR is smaller in all dimensions, so it’ll fit a bit better on the pad. The machine stays very cool, especially the left palm rest area, which gets really toasty for me. The stand also helps in that it lets the vents on the bottom of the machine breathe easier, which also helps keep the laptop cooler. Sometimes I watch DVDs in bed and the TR really heats up on the sheets, but not if I use the pad.
As they say, heat is the enemy of computing components, and these laptops can get pretty warm/hot at times. I figure that after spending $2400 on the laptop, $25 to keep it cool isn’t a bad investment, especially if you’re running it constantly.
[quote author=“beejerscake”]Hey cellery, - so you leave your TR on 24/7 right? Where can I find that cooler system, and if I am going to leave it on the same amount of time, do you think I should get it? Also, I am searching for a docking station…have you seen one, do they even make one for the TR? And if they do, the cooling system probably wouldnt work right? Thanks in advance.
There is no docking station for the TR. Kensington makes a USB pluggable “dock” thingie that gives you some legacy ports but it’s more of a port replicator. You don’t really need a ventilator as long as you keep the notebook on a smooth surface. Of course, having one of those ventilators is nicer…but as long as you don’t keep your notebook on the carpet then you should be ok.
Because the carpet (depending on how thick it is) will block airflow into the vents. The memory vents are on the bottom of the system and blocking airflow from there will make the system heat up faster. Also, the side vent where the air is exhausted by the CPU may be blocked adding to system heat. At least put a magazine or something under your notebook if you’re going to use it on the floor. At least there will be some space for air to get in.
