Fire and Knowledge

I called Apple the other day because my Macbook Pro video card died. Thankfully, I had Applecare, so my laptop was fixed in 3 days including shipping. What a wonderful world.

While on the phone with the tech I mentioned that the computer wasn’t usable on a lap for more than 5 minutes, because it got ridiculously hot. I’m not talking oooo-that’s-warm hot. I’m talking oh-my-god-my-lap-is-on-fire hot. If you put your finger on bottom of the laptop for more than a couple seconds, it will actually hurt you.

“That can’t be normal,” I said.

“It probably has to do with the video card issue. But even without that, they do get pretty hot. I don’t recommend using them on laps,” she replied.

“Isn’t that kind of ironic? Shouldn’t a laptop, by the very definition, be able to be used on a lap?”

“Well sir that is why Apple doesn’t call them laptops. They are called notebooks.”

I thought about this for a second, then said, “So where exactly should notebooks be used, if not on your lap?”

“You know, on something where it can be used without burning you.”

“Like on a desk?”

“Exactly.”

“Wouldn’t that make it a desktop?”

Silence.

“Your package will be arriving tomorrow, is there anything else I can help you with today?”