Of course they say those things. They are called lawers. If you were to interpret your cars manual that way, you would read it as 'never approach, you might die'. Magnets can cause data loss, it is possible, but low power, solid state magnets like that rarely do (watch mythbusters), the lawers simply say to warn against it just in case. Most laptops have warnings like that, including IIRC the aluminums and titaniums.

Actually, most laptops do not have warnings like that. I'm merely commending Apple for being up front with users.

Wow deadend, bitter? I noticed these when I bought my MacBook Pro, and thought it was amusing in its own right. The last thing Apple wants on its hands is a lawsuit over failing to warn its users about those potential dangers, but I have to say, I've never had the heat problems with my MBP that other people have complained about-I rest it on my lap all the time; it's warm, but not scorching hot.

This is insane! Why call it a laptop if you can't use it on your lap? Shouldn't they come up with a new name? I hate the Apple touch pads anyways. They need a right-click button!

Blu-raygate Updated: Dualing Machines Last email I told you about the Sony Blu-ray demo that was playing...

Could be a lot worse. I am a public safety officer and in my city a few years ago we had several house fires started by Toshiba laptops being charged while sitting on wooden tables and desks!

I too commend Apple for the warnings. When putting in a Wolf range at home it clearly states, "Do not test for gas leak with flame." Lawyers are so clever.

Try putting a Dell Inspiron Laptop on you lap for a while. That gets too hot for me.

I think the main reason for all of this is that some people just don't think before they do something stupid - that's why we have the Darwin awards. Some lawyers have a sense of humor - kind of like flight attendants on Southwest Airlines - some don't. A warning in a book is not going to protect any company against a lawsuit resulting from serious design flaw anyway.

what is really important with any laptop is that you don't block the ventilation ports on the bottom or sides while you are holding the machine in your lap for lengthy periods. Thatg includes resting it on the bed or sofa, etc., so the internal components don't melt or fail from the heat of the high powered laptops. By the time my legs tell me it's really time to set this thing on the desk, or worse the bed or sofa, heat damage is already occurring and shortening the life of my machine. DUH!!!!

They already have a new name for laptops. The industry -- Apple, Dell, Lenovo (nee IBM), HP/Compaq, and the like -- have been calling them "notebooks" (when they aren't using a clever brand name like "MacBook" or "ThinkPad") for years now. Probably because they all know that the things get hotter the more power they cram into them. You can bet that if the handhelds start searing people's hands or desktops burn holes through desks, they'll come up with another name for them, too!

I am sure most of you remember the McDs Lawsuit over a woman being scalded by hot coffee that prompted the "Warming: Contents may be hot" lables on every styrofoam cup these days. Im sure this is a similar deal...

I'm just hoping that the Macbook isn't produced in a facility that also handles peanuts.

You're heating up your notebook computer faster by transferring your own body heat to it. Furthermore, according to Apple's web pages, it's a MacBook notebook. It's not a MacTop laptop. Also, it's compared to other notebook computers, not so-called laptops.

Link to the Salon story that inspired the research that resulted in this post. The story was written by noted humorist Gabriella Papic http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2006/05/15/macbook/

For one thing it's not called something like Lap Soda so I don't expect to be able to safely pour it on myself.

I think your reactions are funny. If Microsoft made laptops and used the same type of magnetic AC power cord, there would be tons of people saying what a bad idea it was to use a magnetically connected power cord. It would have been frontpage news on Cnet and the like. This article was almost hidden. Just because it's a Mac, you guys all see it as, "wow, Apple is great for warning us," or "They're just being cautious."

Microsoft doesn't make laptops. There's a reason for that.

I found the warning on page 108 the hard way. I left my Macbook Pro on the couch making sure the air vents at the back were clear. I left it charging there. When I got home I smelt burning! A quick search revealed it was the Macbook whose entire case had got so hot I couldn't touch it! I unplugged it and propped it up on its end to try and ease its cooling. I promptly phoned Apple only to be told that since the manual states it shouldn't be left on a soft surface (page 108) then I am not going to recieve a new one. Even though I made sure the vents were clear. They made me take it into the service provider and he told us nothing was wrong with it!! I mean I know these things run hot but damn. I hate to think what COULD have happened had I not come home! (Bear in mind this happened in the fist 14 days after recieving the laptop so I should've been able to return it) Bloody legal crap, who know what damage that immmense heat has caused to the rest of the components in the laptop.

I really want to buy a 15" Macbook Pro but I've read so many horror stories regarding the flaws that I'm probably going to wait now. This is not the way for Apple to entice PC users like me to do "the switch". I've used many notebook/laptops and I've never had one burn me. I'm currently using a Fujitus LifeBook and not once has it got uncomfortably hot even. I'd hate to get burned from the MBP just because I forgot one day and picked it up from the wrong side! That's a serious hardware issue! I know that Apple has released a firmware that is suppose to remedy this problem but it's not helping all cases. What's up? Maybe I'll wait until the fall when Intel comes out with their Merom processor. I'm sure Apple will introduce MacBooks configured with this new chip but do you think we'll have to wear silicon gloves to operate it? ;)

Apple didn't make a good heat dissipation project in the MacBook Pro and put its marketing and sales people to solve the problem. Laptops and notebooks are the same thing as they are portable computers (they differ in size and weight only), made to be used over the lap. Apple must stop putting marketing and sales people to solve project people problems.

Cisco, many PC laptops do in fact have the exact same warning. The last 2 I have had that warning either on the laptop (among the many stickers) or in the manual. (From different vendors). Apple hasn't done anything different than the PC manufacturers have been doing for years running hot Intel chips. Check out http://www.appledefects.com/ for more discussion about the various defects plaguing apple products.

Ok - I just chewed out Apple for this but I want to state that in the 8 years I've enjoyed a laptop computer I've NEVER NEVER NEVER been burned by one - now mind you Apple calls it a "Notebook" and NO WHERE on their site did it say "oh, ummmm, don't think about using this IN YOUR LAP Ms. Photographer cause you will get the shite burned out of you if you do!" If this WAS so common, then the complaints wouldn't be as many in this day and age. It's a portable device they say but then (when you get the manual) they say "but put it on a desk or other non-moving surface and strap yourself down". If I'd know this, I'd stuck it out with my Dell until I found something to upgrade to. It gets SO hot, I break a sweat typing! I've been burned on my WRIST with this computer (not my lap - the top side of the computer is freakin hot and they don't mention that!). So - laugh about "duh, they should KNOW this" but honestly - I've NEVER had an issue - Dell, Compaq, HP, Toshiba - yeah - nodda one with burns until the big ole MPB. Oh, 17" isn't covered on the warranty and I have it on "Better Energy Saver" mode. :(