PC and Mac

So, I just got a new 15" Macbook Pro... and holy sh*t does it get hot. Really hot. My old Thinkpad running at full bore never came anywhere close to this.
 
I think Apple has some basic airflow design problems, but nothing I can do about that. Any suggestions from the forum? Do MBP owners just use a thick pad between the family jewels and their laptop, or are you using some sort of third-party cooling solutions?

I'm fairly certain that most of the MBP owners here don't put it on their lap.  Not too convenient of a solution, but yeah.

@fish_face_mcgee said:

" I'm fairly certain that most of the MBP owners here don't put it on their lap.  Not too convenient of a solution, but yeah. "

thats what the coffee shop table is for 

Uhm, yeah. I frequently sit on the couch and use my laptop. I'm pretty sure this isn't unusual behavior.

A real computer belongs under a desk, so you deserve what you get. 

I would never use a laptop on my lap. Sorry, but I don't like my genitals bathed in radiation, and sering heat. 
 
My laptop is on my desk, hooked up to my keyboard, mouse, hdtv, and 5.1 surround sound home theater system. 

@fry said:

" Uhm, yeah. I frequently sit on the couch and use my laptop. I'm pretty sure this isn't unusual behavior. "

yeah, it's not that unusual.  i also use my macbook on my lap while sitting on the couch, and to avoid bakin' my beans, i use a lapdesk.

@100_Hertz said:

" @fry said:

" Uhm, yeah. I frequently sit on the couch and use my laptop. I'm pretty sure this isn't unusual behavior. "

yeah, it's not that unusual.  i also use my macbook on my lap while sitting on the couch, and to avoid bakin' my beans, i use a lapdesk. "

Well, one useful answer out of six. Probably not a bad ratio for these forums. Thanks.

@Fripplebubby said:

" A real computer belongs under a desk, so you deserve what you get.  "

:P

@intoblivion said:

" @fish_face_mcgee said:

" I'm fairly certain that most of the MBP owners here don't put it on their lap.  Not too convenient of a solution, but yeah. "

thats what the coffee shop table is for  "

Zing.
 
In all seriousness, setting your laptop a hard surface such as the aforementioned lapdesk or what I use, a large, hard-cover book (Think a big old picture book from when you were little or something), can save you from having a fully cooked crotch.
 
Here's the nut-saving book I use except mine has two corners chewed off from when my puppy was teething: 


I have the entire series of those books.  I used to read them cover to cover over and over again.  The castle one was my favourite.

I have the standard unibody MB, not a MBP, so it doesn't get too hot, but maybe if you use the power-saving video card over the performance video card, you'll generate less heat?  Not sure which one you are using typically.   
 
But outside of that, you're best putting your laptop on something else (like an afforementioned book) if you're gonna keep it on your lap, that really goes for any kind of laptop.  If you're worried about too much heat while it's on your desk, you can always get a laptop cooler-thing.  They seem to work pretty well. 
 
I'm hopefully gonna be replacing my laptop-on-the-couch usage with an iPad (which apparently generates next to no heat) soon, so that's another solution, albeit an expensive one.

@Ben_H: I swear I had that book......

I have a nearly 3-year-old MBP and it has always run very hot unless on a flat, hard surface. When it's used as a notebook I usually just throw it on a pillow on my lap/bed, or find a table. Typically it's desktop replacement though.  
@fry said:

" I think Apple has some basic airflow design problems, but nothing I can do about that. "  

I don't think it's really a design issue to be honest. My MBP has only once ever heated to the point of a self power down, and it was in a blanket :P. As hot as it get's it still runs well. Also I know Apple markets these as "notebooks" not "laptops" and if you were to call their tech support about it, they would tell you it's not meant for your lap.