Despite their name, Apple’s “laptops” aren’t anything of the sort. Although both MacBooks and MacBook Pros turn up when you search “laptop” in the Apple Store, the actual term never appears once connected with these “portable computers.” Why might this be? Well, I’m glad you asked. According to Engadget, Apple has placed a warning into the manual of the MacBooks and MacBook Pros, which reads:
Do not leave the bottom of your MacBook Pro in contact with your lap or any surface of your body for extended periods. Prolonged contact with your body could cause discomfort and potentially a burn.
The computer should instead be placed on a flat surface, such as a desk (I thought that’s what desktops were for?). So despite their frequented name, we prefer to think of them solely as MacBooks. Laptops are for those other guys.
This has been the case with many "laptop" manufacturers for a few years now and is the main reason they were generally re-branded as Notebooks. Apple is no different.
My 1.67 PowerBook is the same although I would hardly say it could "burn" under normal load. It has gotten close after extended periods on my lap running at full load however. I am not surprised, nor would this put me off. I'd say Apple has to put this warning on there just as a precaution.
They can be used on your lap provided you crack the case and put on the right amount of thermal paste.
Evidently everything was just peachy keen until a couple of weeks ago; it seems to be just the very newest MBPs and now some of the Macbooks that are having thermal grease issues. I'm beginning to grow concerned about the Macbook I'm getting on tuesday...
incidentally, I'm here at the cambridgeside apple store where they have five (5!) macbooks on display. I had them play some HD streams for a few minutes and I have to say, none of them run as hot as my 12" powerbook can get just surfing the web sitting on a desk. Compared to the hot-running beast that is my powerbook, the new macbook is like a cool relaxing breeze :P
Yeah, what's the deal with the thermal paste in the 17" Pro and the MacBooks? Anyone?