Thinkpads Forum

I'm using my T61 as my main "desktop" in a docking station, as well as popping it out and taking it on the road. I'm running Ubuntu with the "ibmfan" control system running in the background. Question: Is there anything else I could do to keep T61 cool? Again, it's my main desktop. Or am I being overly protective?

I'd take everything apart, blow out the dust, clean everything, apply new TIM and reseat the CPU, chipset and GPU. Once that is done forget it and enjoy.

the dock is fairly well vented if you look at it, I ran mine in it for years and never had a problem, in what I would consider extremely dusty enviroments too. You didn't mention the graphics card, but if it is intel you have nothing to worry about, and even with nivida, I doubt that there is enough of a heat diffrence between docked and not to have much effect.

I use a T60 in a dock most of the time and it's fine, with heavy use.

You could open the lid a couple of inches for extra airflow and cooling. I do that, just as extra "insurance" and it does seem to keep the machine a bit cooler.

If you are really concerned, run a stand-alone room fan and have it blow over the machine. Of course, keeping the room itself a bit on the cool side is another option, which I do. (Keeps me cooler too, which is good, as I don't like it too hot!)