Laptop dust filter

[Skyhooker]

I posted this in a thread under "Business issues" entitled "Laptop repair" recently, but it's been well-received, and I figured this is a good place for it.

The photo illustrates pieces of used laundry fabric softener dryer sheets cut to fit laptop air inlets, taped in place with paper masking tape. I did a quick search, and apparently masking tape is also available in black to make it a bit more elegant, but I doubt you'll find the sheet material in black. After a hellish teardown of my own machine a few years ago I came up with this solution, and it's amazing how well it's worked. Replace the filter every couple months or so, or when it's obviously getting clogged, and blow out any fine dust that remains with compressed air through the air outlets at the back of the laptop case. It will keep your clients happy and prevent another expensive fix for overheating caused by dust accumulation. Enjoy!


Skyhooker

 

[Blues]

I trust that it is effective but man I would not like having that stuff on there just so ugly.

 

[Skyhooker]

Sure, but I'll take ugly on the outside over ugly on the inside any day.

 

[ICEinLAVA]

I did a quick search, and apparently masking tape is also available in black to make it a bit more elegant, but I doubt you'll find the sheet material in black.

Yeah they make pretty much any color paper tape. But if your really concerned about the aesthetics of the bottom of your notebook, you can spend some time with a black marker or some black dye.

BTW are you using new or used fabric softener sheets? I thought the fabric softener in the sheet would make the sheet more dense and would collect more dust. and i would suggest washing the fabric softener sheet prior to use regardless of it being new or used.

 

[Skyhooker]

I use only used sheets. True, the unused ones may capture more dust, but they also can have a powdery residue of their own that, if it comes in contact with the heat sink, may collect dust there, thus defeating the purpose. It may also do worse things to the components. The idea is just to keep out most of the bits big enough to cling to the leading edges of the heat sink vanes, which starts the "carpet" forming process.

 

[Fred_G]

Wow, have used those for years on my desktops, never thought about one for my laptop(s)

 

[kailuakeith]

Desert / Beach conditions

I have filter material for our house vacuum that is the same mesh type but a little thicker, about 1/16" to 1/8". I guess the key is not to slow the airflow much. It would be nice to attach flex hose and an external fan and microfiber filter.
I live on the "Windward" side of Oahu and salt air destroys all electronics. My Dell laptop had a monitor hinge rust and break finally! But the most harmful was it slowed down and I thought it was a virus. After hours and hours across months I figured out it was overheating during the summer. One of the two fans had died and when I examined it, it was choked with white salty looking stuff. I put an additional fan under it and it lived another year.
I've had HD TV's, desktops, go out so far and two laptops (Sony and Mac Ibook) are on the verge. So, a fan blown hepa filter would not be over the top for me. It would be good for TV's and other electronics. I wonder if the army would use it too.