Does T60/T61 run hot with the advnaced mini dock?

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#1 Post by **gator** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:12 pm

I had the chance to use my T60 on a advanced mini dock today (not mine) and I found that my T60 runs hotter than normal/ Usually my T60 hovers around the 42-43C mark, but on the dock it was around 46-47C even when I was simply idling. Is this common? I need to get one, but if it is going to be this hot, then I have to definitely reconsider. Anyone knows how to have the T60 run cool while docked? Any one else with the same problem here?

mod edit: added "T61" to title to broaden topic per user experiences posted below.

#2 Post by **gator** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:13 am

I had a better chance to evaluate the mini dock today. I used the T60 mini dock all day and found out that the fan is always on - the temperature stabilized at ~44-45C while idling (which I can live with, though not very happy

). Only now do I really understand when folks here said that the T60 is noisy with the fan always on - previously my fan ran really silent or not at all (I guess!). It was not this noisy definitely as with the mini dock.

Does anyone have the same issues as me? I find the fan noise distracting if it is always on. Short of using TP Fan control, any other suggestions? My BIOS (and most other things) are upto date. Someone please respond, I need to make a decision before my advisor changes his mind

Rwang · #3 Post by **Rwang** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:06 am

If you are that insecure and need another's advise, I suggest you buy it.

Rwang · #4 Post by **Rwang** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:07 am

Rwang wrote:If you are that insecure and need another's advice, I suggest you buy it, the temp increase is minor, and you can always deal with the fan issue later on through software or warranty service.

Radioguy · #5 Post by **Radioguy** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:56 pm

I considered starting a new thread since this one starts with "T60", but it stays on point with my worry of the T61 running hot in the same dock. (Maybe a mod can change the title to "T60/T61" so no T61 + dock owners pass it over?)

I use an Antec cooler with my T61, even if just to keep its base cooler to the touch if not affecting the chipset or drive. However, while the advanced mini dock allows the side-ventilation of the CPU/GPU, much of the T61 base is blocked. There is a side vent on the base of the dock, but it's not large, and the only corresponding vent on the top of the dock is smaller, so I noticed that the base of my T61 where it rests on the dock is rather warm. Perhaps hot to some, although it doesn't burn me when I press my hand against it.

Unfortunately, there's no active cooling in the base of the dock (Shame, it seems that there's room to design it in), and so my cooler is rendered useless if I put the docked T61 on it. The dock totally covers the fan vents of it, even interfering with the cooling of the drive area that the dock doesn't block.

So...is my T61's life being shortened by this? It worries me slightly, since my Antec seems to keep the entire base at least room temperature.

PS: I know there is a fan(s?) in the Advanced Dock, but is that just for the pci-e card, or the ThinkPad as well?

Thanks.

Radioguy · #6 Post by **Radioguy** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:13 am

Thanks. At least I don't feel bad about not waiting for a deal on one of those.

I still wonder about my main question, though.

Radioguy · #7 Post by **Radioguy** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:12 am

Maybe I should have started a new thread after all...

#8 Post by **erik** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:20 pm

Radioguy wrote:Maybe I should have started a new thread after all...

nah... i just added "T61" to the title to cover both your and gator's experiences. carry on.

eyestrain · #9 Post by **eyestrain** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:16 pm

How did this work out?

I've thought about someday getting a dock for my T60 to get DVI out, and using a thin sheet of copper or aluminum between the dock and notebook, with areas cut out to avoid touching contacts on notebook and dock, but pressing on warm parts of the notebook. The sheet would hopefully extend past the notebook and dock, in some places, to help passive cooling. If it ever happens, maybe I'll post...

#10 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:33 pm

The major heat source of a docked laptop is not the fact that the bottom is docked. In fact if you look closely at the Advanced (or mini) dock underneath the thinkpad there is a space for ventilation. The major reason for the heat increase is the fact that the laptop lid is closed and traps heat within the unit itself. Open the lid while docked and see if it doesn't help.

Radioguy · #11 Post by **Radioguy** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:52 am

Harryc wrote:The major heat source of a docked laptop is not the fact that the bottom is docked.

It seems the opposite is true. At least on my T61, since there is a heat buildup in the very area served by that vent.

Harryc wrote:In fact if you look closely at the Advanced (or mini) dock underneath the thinkpad there is a space for ventilation.

Like I said, that area still gets hot. The problem is that vent is passive, and without an active fan, the heat doesn't move away from the vent.

Harryc wrote:The major reason for the heat increase is the fact that the laptop lid is closed and traps heat within the unit itself. Open the lid while docked and see if it doesn't help.

I have never kept it closed. Even running an external monitor I would never do that on any laptop. I always leave it cracked open a few inches at least for additional cooling whether a laptop is running hot or not. I don't believe in letting a laptop run hot or warm when there's an easy way to provide additional ventilation. The hotter components run, the shorter their lifespan. I just err on the side of caution.

Unfortunately, in this situation, it's really too warm. There needs to be an active fan in these docks. Not just for a PCI-E card in the Advanced one.

Does T60/T61 run hot with the advnaced mini dock?

Does T60/T61 run hot with the advnaced mini dock?

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