Problems of Laptop Computers - Term Paper Example

 «Laptop Cooler» Introduction Laptops or note book computers are nowadays are very much in use throughout the world. These small personal computers are physically close to user or in touch during most of the day. This closeness has no seemingly effect but there is an effect of heat that device may produce. As the raise in the processor speeds and wireless capabilities this imminence between human and machine turns out to be growing. This paper discovers radically increase in the heat its effect on user and new promising trend of laptop coolers. This paper will explore the history of the notebook computers, the basic derive behind their use. Then it will explore the sales of notebooks and current market trends. The next section discusses the problem attached with the notebook computers that is “Notebook Heat”. Here we will discover the potential harms of notebook heat to people and the solution of this problem. The present solution that has emerged as the ultimate solution to this problem is the “Notebook coolers”. Then we will discuss the history of notebook coolers, the way in which Notebook coolers solve the problem of the notebook heat. Next we will also have a look at various types of notebook coolers in the market and current market trends of notebook coolers. The last section will conclude the whole discussion. Demand for higher computational power in notebook computers has forced hardware designers to map out processor heat rakishness with awareness. However, as owners of high-end laptops will be a witness, the surface of the machine may still reach scratchy temperatures, in particular upon temporary contact. As high-end computers are integrated into smaller form features, this predicament will be worsening. Wearable computers would seem to have meticulous difficulties since the computer housing may be in protracted contact with skin. However, it is suggested that wearable computers may offer a superior form feature than modern notebooks in regard to heat dissipation (Kroemer et al, 2000). Why a Laptop? The foremost benefit of a laptop computer over a desktop computer is its mobility in addition to its rigorous size. In contrast, the worth is in general elevated for somewhat less inspiring performance and the notebook's hardware design is a enormous deal fewer adaptable, yet though it is likely to fix other external peripherals devices to its many I/O ports (Starner, 1999). Consequently, the encouragement for purchasing a laptop computer must overall be a requirement for mobility or a requirement to save space. Furthermore, with the coming out of Wi-Fi and wireless networks in meticulous, it is gorgeous and particularly trouble-free to attach to the internet in public Hot-Spots or just in some room of your home given that it is operational with a Wi-Fi terminal.1 Notebook computers In this section I will discuss the notebook computers their history and current market trends. First have a look at the history of the notebook computers. It is a bit difficult to find out the first notebook or laptop computer, the preliminary portable computers could not come into sight like nowadays available book-sized and folding laptops. Though they were together lap-able and convenient, and express the expansion of notebook laptops. I have discovered a strong candidate for the initial laptop or portable computers. As I have researched the “First Laptop was” 2designed in year 1979 by William Moggridge for a company named as “Grid Systems Corporation”, the Grid Compass was one fifth the group of every representation comparable in performance and was utilized by NASA on the space shuttle program before 1980's. This laptop had a 340 Kb bubble memory. This laptop also has the die cast magnesium case. The foremost capability it has was the ruin electroluminescent graphics display screen.3 Then if we talk about the commercially on hand laptops, the preliminary commercially obtainable portable notebook computer emerged few years later, in year 1981. The Osborne 1 4was the first commercially available laptop has weighed 10.7 kg or 23.5 pounds. It had no charging battery. It has a little 5 inch CRT screen and floppy drives of dual 5¼" single-density. In the same year the early laptop or notebook sized portable computer, acknowledged as Epson HX-20, was announced. The Epson had a LCD screen, it also integrated the facility of the rechargeable battery and a calculator size printer in a 1.6 kg enclosure (Starner, 2005). The initial notebook employing the clamshell design, used nowadays by around all laptops, came into view in year 1982. The GRiD Compass 1100 priced $8150 was attained by NASA and the military amongst others. The Gavilan SC, came to public in year 1983, was the preliminary notebook marketed made use of the term "laptop"(Starner, 2005). So this is a brief history of the early laptops these early computers commonly had proprietary and mismatched architectures, bundled applications and operating systems. Now I will talk about the sales of notebooks and current market trends. With the growth of the customer market sector in 2008, main laptop or notebook PC vendors have rolled out latest products to set up the growing persist in this area. A number of these latest models are comparatively large-sized products with higher multimedia functionality. Typical laptop/notebook PCs on demonstrates at Computex 2008s, apprehended in Taipei in Taiwan from June 3/7/2008, and highlighted this inclination and the current trends in typical notebook PC development. MIC market analysts visited the in recent times apprehended Computex display, meets the representatives from foremost corporations, and examined the above mentioned latest products from the viewpoint of the on the whole growth of the notebook PC market.5 Limited by the worldwide economy slowdown and main part shortages, sales of the worldwide notebook PC market were a little affected in the early half of 2008. Though, marketplace demand yet directed to stay convinced. In the consequent half of 2008, laptop and Notebook PCs and high-end mainstream notebook PCs features AV functionalities were expected to enlarge market comeback.6 The launch of Notebook and laptop PC products, attached with latest platforms on hand by AMD and Intel, are forecasted to speed up the substitution outcome and boost customer demand. The growing trends of the wide-reaching notebook PC market in the second half of 2008 were break all pervious records of the Notebook computers sales. In this half people have more concerned towards the notebooks/laptops as contrasted to desktop computers they preferred these innovative products. The major rationale behind this boost is lowering prices of these machines. 7 Notebook Heat Here I will explore the Notebook computers heat problem. Operating Temperature: Running of the convinced components of a notebook computer (primarily the processor) is the source of the temperature and heat of the computer to augment and sometimes turn out to be inconvenient (for the most part when the keyboard turns out to be too warm). Overheating is capable of turning out to be a real hazard that can worsen when the laptop is in working with the screen down for the rationale that this can stop proper thermal dissipation. Why So Hot? It is known to all that notebooks are additional compact than desktops. To attain that slighter size, a notebook's inside parts, the motherboard, Why So Hot? We all know that notebooks are more compact than desktops. To accomplish that smaller size, a notebook's internal components--the motherboard, the hard drive, and other devices have to be placed in closeness to one another. The difficulty is those microprocessors, hard drives, and other parts that generate heat. For the rationale that a notebook's insides are packed, it's harder for that heat to flee, in spite of the inner fans and heat sinks incorporated in a number of notebooks. This heat may have an effect on a notebook's internal parts eventually. For example, a number of notebook hard drives are additional probable to fail than desktop hard drives partly for the reason that of the heat. As well, the base of a number of notebooks tends to produce warm, even hot after a time of work (Nachtsheim, 2003). The processor is faster enough so it will produce more heat. As well as, subnotebooks, while they frequently make use of slower processors, are able to be more prone to overheat also, for the reason that of their ultra squashed design. There is a growing trend in notebook computers that could put us in harms way. Because the latest finding of thousands of imperfect notebook batteries being used in lots of the popular computer brands, explosion and heat associated harms have been on the boost. Still however the larger part of notebooks are utilizing steady batteries, the preponderance systems are so powerful at the present that the user is still not free of charge and clear of possible burns throughout routine use (Nachtsheim, 2003). An obvious approach to the problem of heat production is to diminish the power essential for high-end CPUs through higher incorporation, optimized instruction sets, and more exotic techniques such as “reversible computation”. However, profit margins, user demand, and backwards compatibility concerns are pushing industry leaders to deliberate on processors requiring more than 5 W. In addition, the explosion of mobile peripherals, such as wireless internet radios, and global positioning system (GPS) units create an ever higher heat load as functionality increases (Starner, 1999). Thus, even with improved technology, heat dissipation will keep on to be a question in the development of mobile devices. Current systems try to fill the user from heat sources, slowing or shutting down when internal temperatures get too high. However, the human body is one of the most efficient and multifarious examples of thermoregulation in nature, capable of dissipating well over 2700 W of heat. Thus, the human body itself might be used to facilitate dissipate heat (Starner, 1999). In an environment where air temperature is cooler than that of the skin or clothing surface, the air immediately next to the body surface becomes heated by direct conduction. As the air heats, it becomes less dense and begins to rise. This occurs everywhere about the body and forms a microenvironment where heat is transferred by convection. This air flow is called the natural convection boundary layer (Starner, 1999). Skin temperature may be different riotously depending on the area measured. For example, while contented, a subject may have temperature readings of 25 C on the toes while the forehead is 34C. Even temperatures within a small region may illustrate momentous variation due to air flow. How these temperatures are supposed by the body depends on the assortment and the context of the temperatures (Starner, 1999). Table 1summarizes typical responses to skin temperatures: (Starner, 1999). Table 1 Skin temperature sensations and notebook working state. Skin temp in Centigrade and effect on body Notebook working sate 45- tissue damage 43–41 threshold of burning pain Over heated notebook computer 41–39 threshold of transient pain 39–35 hot 37–35 initial sense of warmth When notebook computer heated up 34–33 neutral 33–15 increasing colds 15–5 intolerably cold Normal working with Notebook computer The receptors in the skin are much more perceptive to change the temperatures. Thus, temporary contact with a surface that is warmer than the skin will draw out an impression that seems much hotter than would be felt with more constant contact. This, plus the fact that skin can be rather cool compared to standard body temperature, corresponds to the extensive bounds on these ranges. While contact with any surface above 43C like heated notebook for an extensive period of time risks burning, momentary contact can be made at higher temperatures. For 10 minutes, contact with a surface at a temperature of 48C on the whole like heated notebook can be maintained. Metals present in the laptop at 50C can be in contact with the skin for 1 minute devoid of a burn risk (Starner, 1999). Notebook coolers Since the development of the computer heat is vital problem attached with these devises. This trouble also inherited by the Notebook computers since their invention in year 1978-1979. There is a predicament of heat attached to these devices. Internal fans and heat sinks are built to diminish this trouble but as technology and media emerges there is need of heavy processing came out. Nowadays internet, multimedia, Wi-Fi, and lots of newly developed software applications require more processing power, for this reason there is more working contained by the laptop and more heat produces. To cure this problem the laptop coolers have emerged in year 1999-1998. There is no exact known data. I have searched lots of online web sites to know about the history of laptop coolers, this year I have got in most of researches. So we can say that the commercial laptop coolers have stared in late 1998. 8 If we talk about the notebook heat, we can no longer put up with that burning sensation. In this case we need some solution of this problem. There is no single solution for an overheated notebook or laptop. The solutions are as assorted as the reasons. Options we can try to diminish the laptop heat to take in cleaning the laptop fan and its air vents that move cooling air throughout the laptop computer, examining our notebook for the airflow from below to check if the air flow blocked or not. Using a notebook cooler or "chill pad," is most generally used solution for the notebook heat. Laptop coolers are very effective for making our laptop really comfortable. The majority laptop coolers appear with enormous extras, like USB ports, card readers that are functional and helpful for plugging in our devises.9 A laptop/notebook cooler also acknowledge as chill mat or cooler pad that is turned out to be an important accessory for our notebook computers that aids to diminish laptop’s operating temperature. Usually employed when the laptop's air pumping fan is not competent to effectively cool the notebook, a notebook cooling pad could house its own fans that are in typically 2 or 3 in number and rests below the notebook. Although numerous cooler pads make use of a power adapter, they normally run on power drawn through the USB port of the laptop. A lot of cooler pads consequently recompense with a fixed USB hub. 10 A number of these "powered" coolers are intended to draw heat from the underneath of the laptop computer; an additional type of laptop/notebook cooler work in the opposite method by blowing cool air towards the machine. The laptop/notebook cooler fan speed is adjusted by hand or automatically on certain method and so laptop/notebook cooler fans runs at a fixed speed.11 Picture 1- A two fan notebook cooler source[http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1648571&CatId=3486] The part of heat from the energy inevitability of the cooler is enormously negligible impact as USB ports are imperfect to 2.5W of output power; as a result the cooling outcome is overriding. Researches carried out by California Polytechnic University demonstrates that heat build-up in laptops are minimized by 15 to 20 %, when a laptop is positioned at an angle contrasted to a notebook in a horizontal position. Free air cooling which is an unreceptive practice and needs no extra power has been established as an effectual method of laptop cooling. 12 Amongst all the unreceptive cooler, or unpowered, devices surprisingly have the best results as compared to others, primarily a enormous chunk of plastic that looked similar to a cutting board with a form of big "X" on it.13 Picture 2- A passive notebook cooler source[http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1648571&CatId=3486] Several coolers that utilize this passive technique are as well as obtainable in the market. There is an extraordinary kind of notebook cooler that does not make use of fan, fashioned by ThermaPAK, which utilizes a crystalline compound to cool notebooks computers. Another type of the laptop cooler is Quad Cooler. It is a portable laptop cooling system. It is available in the shape of a rectangular platform build by a strong but lightweight ABS plastic martial. The most important feature that differentiates it from others is its features 4 powerful but quiet fans that are in fact powered by the laptop computer by means of a special USB cable that can be plugged into some obtainable USB port. In addition, the Quad Cooler is uncomplicated to set along with our laptop computer. Consequently, it keeps our portable laptop cool with no noise and heat and un-portable characteristic.14 Picture 3- A Quad Cooler notebook cooler source[http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1648571&CatId=3486] There is research carried out and tested the effects of the laptop cooler on the inside temperature of the laptop’s mechanism. There is real difference is shown in the image given below. This means that laptop cooler effects the outer temperate of the laptop but also have a vast effect on the internal components of the laptop.15 Picture 4- A internal temperature comparison chart source[http://www.everythingusb.com/] In this study the heat skin performance is examined by pertaining on two conditions, in CPU heavy working circumstance and idle circumstance. The laptop cooler is applied in both sates and the difference can be viewed in the above specified image. Nowadays the market is full with lots of laptop coolers that have different styles and working capabilities. Now people are becoming more conscious concerning their health and they like better to use those laptops that produce less heat or make the most of laptop coolers (Starner, 1999). I have stated above different types of laptop coolers. The most laptop coolers those are really prevalent used and largely available in the market are two fan laptop coolers. The basic reason of their use is their fewer prices, ease of use and portability. They can be taken any where in your laptop bag. These are generally accessible in 10-30 $ depending on eminence and style. 16 The next point of discussion is that why is the notebook cooler industry so successful? I have gathered few points to answer this question:17 Less temperature of notebook computer for greatest performance Ergonomic designed angle of the notebook computer cooler also help in the uncomplicated typing Another point that I have found is the aerodynamic aluminum housing for thermal heat rakishness eminence of these new notebook computer coolers. Nowadays notebook computer coolers have super silence fans, ideal for quiet environments and working Portability and uncomplicated Go No extra power compulsory, no adapter needed Broadly accessible USP port connection support means powered by the notebook's USP port Also another attribute of the notebook computer coolers is their support for the size of up to 17-inch notebooks or laptops Conclusion In this paper I have discussed the laptops history, their need of development. I have talked about the main problem that has attached to the use of the laptop computers that is heat. I have talked about the main concerns due to heat emission form the laptops, the effects on the human health are also discussed in this paper. Then I have talked about the ultimate solution to this problem of heat that is Laptop Coolers. I have talked about their history, why they are used and main benefits. I have also discussed the basic design that is used behind these Laptop Coolers. Then I have mentioned different Laptop Coolers types and design. These all inventions came through the human awareness regarding there health. The use of Laptop Coolers has a solid effect in minimizing the heat emission through processing. As I have discussed different types of Laptop Coolers, each has an innovative quality for curing this problem of heat. In future there is need of more effective and portable Laptop Coolers. The reason behind is the heavy CPU processing as the technology emerges the demand for the more processing has increased, so in future we need more powerful Laptop Coolers. Their use save us from any health related hazard and also protects the Laptop from failure due to overheating problem. There use extends the Laptop life and functionality. References 1. Kroemer, K. Kroemer, H., and K. Kroemer-Elbert. (2000). Ergonomics: How to Design for Ease and Efficiency. Prentice Hall International, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 2. LAP-TOP COMPUTERS GAIN STATURE AS POWER GROWS" (in en), Daily News of Los Angeles (CA) (April 12, 1987). Retrieved on 11/01/2008. 3. Nachtsheim, S. (2003). Balancing power and performance in mobile PC’s (keynote address), in: Intel Power Symposium, San Francisco. 4. Starner, T.E. (1999). Wearable Computing and Contextual Awareness. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. Available online at: http://www.cc.gatech.edu/ccg/publications/starner-phd/ 5. Starner, T. (2005). Human powered wearable computing, IBM Systems Journal 35(3). 6. Starner, T. (2009). Heat dissipation in wearable computers, Technical Report 460 Perceptual Computing, MIT Media Laboratory. 7. Sandberg-Diment, Erik. (1985). The Executive Computer, The New York Times. Read More