Question about my Dell laptop.

me ^ | 3/31/08

[LouAvul]

I just got a Dell laptop Latitude. I've never owned a laptop before.

Can I literally use it on my lap? I heard the bottom gets hot? Does it get so hot that it can discolor my furniture?

When I'm not using it for business, I'll have it connected to my tv. Can I just leave it plugged in with no adverse effect, or am I supposed to unplug it when not in use.

(Seems like Dell would ship some kind of owner's manual with it, doesn't it?)

thanx

[tubebender]

I got the same eMail today...

[6SJ7]

Is it legal to use it on the toilet in an airport?

No toe tapping, please!   ;-)

[ken in texas]

Can I literally use it on my lap? I heard the bottom gets hot?

Why not try it out and let us know... then the rest of us stupid people will know the answer. :-)

[LouAvul]

I have an anecdote in my files about a news article where a guy was using his laptop, in his lap, sans clothes. The computer gradually warmed up without his realizing that it was injuring him. He was pretty seriously burned in some pretty serious area.

I wondered if such a thing is still possible. From the answers, I'm assuming that his was an old computer.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Yes, they do get hot. “Laptop” is a euphemism, inasmuch as they’re unwilling to be specific, due to its real use as a bunwarmer.

[antiRepublicrat]

Generally okay to put on your lap if you're not blocking any vents (IIRC, no vents on Dell bottoms), unless you got one of these Dells, which can get a bit hot:

[tx_eggman]

You've obviously got me confused with someone who cares what you think. And you obviously have yourself confused with someone who carries some weight. Here or anywhere else.
If you don't like my questions, then pass on by.
You're right, though. Most of the posters on FR are well mannered and helpful. Then there are those like you.

Lou, given that you've turned FR into your own little support desk ... just this month alone you've asked:

I back up my date frequently. This morning my computer gave me a message about updates for my HP printer/fax/copier/scanner. I downloaded the updates.
Then I modified my data. I inserted a CD to back it up. After the copying was complete, I opened the CD to check the data.
I have two files that are read only and cannot be deleted. They are ~WRL3868.tmp and ~WRL0003.tmp. I've never had this problem before. ~WRL3868.tmp is an old file that I deleted long ago. ~WRL0003.tmp won't open.
Any suggestions as to how I can fix this error? I already slowed down the copying speed. No change.

and another

need to be able to save a web page to a powerpoint slide. Screen capture isn't enough. I need to be able to scroll down and show a client the entire page, only I won't have access to the net. Is that possible? thanx.

I'm going to order a Dell laptop Latitude computer. The specs say:
[i]2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS [Included in Price][/i]
Now, "DIMM" is "Dual Inline Memory Module," right? That means it has two sockets for the memory strips?
But it offers, as a $30 option, 2 GB memory with 1 DIMM. I thought DIMM required memory be installed in pairs.
Why is this better?

and another

I'm looking at laptops and like Dell. I just bought an Optiplex desktop and like it fine.
The laptop I'm considering is the Dell XPS M1530 with the following features:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5450 (2MB cache/1.66GHz/667Mhz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
1GB1 Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Size: 120GB2 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS
High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/g Mini Card
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
I'm not into gaming or anything, but use it for business to transmit rather large graphics files, word processing, excel, etc.
I've heard the XPS is better than the Inspiron series, and that's why I'm considering it. Any suggestions (other than, "Buy a Mac!")?

and another where in you try to figure out how to turn off auto correct

Bill Gates hates me. He's proving it with his "autocorrect" feature in MS Word.

and another

I'm importing data (six digit numbers) into Excel. Once I import the data, the numbers (now on the Excel worksheet) are on the same row and many columns.
I want them all in the same column.
In college we used a database program that actually had a "flow/flowing" feature where the designated numbers would simply follow one another in the same column.
I can't find any such feature in Excel.
Any suggestions re the above problem?

and another

It's really weird, but my Microsoft Works OEM suite calendar won't print except on a rare occasion. I'll click print, and it says "preparing to print" but doesn't go any further. I'll close the window to try again but then it won't even open.
I've even tried the "ctrl" + "p" approach. Same thing.
And it's like this on both computers.
Any suggestions?
Or, how about a free calendar download?

so Lou, quit your whining about some of us calling you on it and learn how to use microsoft.com and google

or seriously... box up the laptop up and send it back to Dell

[LouAvul]

It's called, "chat" for a reason. It doesn't have to fit into any particular category. But seriously, if you don't like my questions, then by all means, just STFU and ignore my threads. Or do you make it your life's purpose to be obstreperous?

I mean, what the fool are you doing here, anyway? Obviously not to help. Anybody who would go to the trouble to track my past posts just to make a point is a blithering idiot.

[tx_eggman]

But seriously, if you don't like my questions, then by all means, just STFU ....

Anybody who would go to the trouble to track my past posts just to make a point is a blithering idiot.

more brilliant retorts Lou, I'm impressed

I didn't track your posts though, I recalled them and went back and got them ... took all of 45 seconds...

seems that hadit2here recalled too .. and pointed them out

After seeing over a half dozen vanities posted by you over the last two months, all with the subject of you not understanding some reasonably simple computer or software question, it is hard to understand why someone wouldn't come to the conclusion that "you're not ready yet."

and now your thin skinned self has been reduced to tossing around scathingly original comebacks

(oh my)STFU

and

(I'm cut to the quick) blithering idiot

but the topper was your using obstreperous ...all I could think of when you threw that one out was Samuel L. Jackson saying "Check out the big brain on Brett"

thanks for the laugh.

[LouAvul]

You’re a trip. Get a life and stay off my threads. This will be my last response to your idiocy.

Freaking moron.

[cva66snipe]

Two options both work well. Go to Wally World and get a laptop cooling board {not certain or proper name} OR got to Dells web site and order same. A good investment which cools the computer and is much more comfortable than setting the computer in your lap. The fans run off the UBS port. Wally World IIRC is under $25 for a board and Dell is quite a bit more. That's what I use with my Dell. The board is easily stowed in most laptop cases.

[Richard Kimball]

I haven’t been able to get it at least once a week since then.

You ARE talking about your computer?

[tx_eggman]

You’re a trip. Get a life and stay off my threads. This will be my last response to your idiocy.

Freaking moron.

Lou, to quote Samuel L Jackson again ... "allow me to retort"

Was it me who posted ...

Can I literally use it on my lap? I heard the bottom gets hot?

I have an anecdote in my files about a news article where a guy was using his laptop, in his lap, sans clothes. (you saved this one ... why?)
The computer gradually warmed up without his realizing that it was injuring him.
He was pretty seriously burned in some pretty serious area.
I wondered if such a thing is still possible.

Who's the moron here ....

[tx_eggman]

Get a life and stay off my threads

Nah, I've got nothing better to do today than poke another stick in the ant bed ...

Seems you've been slapped around before, haven't you ?

From 1rudeboy

From RepublitarianRoger2 ....

From JRios1968 ....

But, for me, JerseyHighlander said it best ....

You have posted on average 3 vanities relating to technology and your personal business, a month, every month, for the last 8 months.

Let me ask, how is your daytrading going? Are you a realtor yet? Did you fix your pc? Again? And yet again? Have you figured out the basic functions of Excel yet after freepers tried to assist you toward online tutorials? How has the tax tips you asked for on FR doing you? Have you mastered MS Works Calendar yet with the help of benevolent freeper assistance? Have you found a decent tax software package from Freeper recommendations yet? Have you figured out how to play Xm radio stations on your PC yet from freeper recommendations? Did freepers give you an accurate assessment on the replacement cost of your hot water heater? Have you found a Bible program for your palm pilot from any of the freeper recommendations on websites that sell palm pilot software? Have you decided to buy a Dell or another brand after you asked for freeper opinions? Have you figured out how to google for windows processes running your wireless card yet after freeper tech ping tried to help you? And really, How important are MS updates? Have you contacted FINRA after you seemed to be a victim on Possible investment broker fraud, and freepers tried to point you toward the right authorities to contact? Did any freepers happen to have a copy of the The Hand Examination and Diagnosis by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand sitting around collecting dust so you could buy it from them? Did freepers help you fix your Freezer/refrigerator problem?

That one left a mark, didn't it?

[JRios1968]