Get a Grip: Apple Patents Laptop Handle
12:34 am, March 25th, 2009, Nicole Martinelli
Apple was granted a recent patent, no. 7,508,662, for a handle arrangement with integrated heat pipe.
Here’s how it’s summed up in the patent application: “As portable electronic device designs become more compact, managing thermal loads in integrated circuits (e.g. processing units) becomes more challenging.
One reason for this challenge is that high powered portable devices can generate significant amounts of waste heat energy over a relatively compact area. As such, damage due to heat cycling may cause collateral damage to components in close proximity to heat generators. In conventional solutions, fans may be utilized in coordination with a heat sink to dissipate generated waste heat. In some examples, where fans are utilized to cool components, battery life may be significantly lowered.
“Although conventional methods as illustrated may be effective, as noted above, power requirements for fan usage may, in some instances significantly reduce battery life making such a solution somewhat undesirable. Furthermore, use of a fan may, in some examples, contribute to an undesirable increase in noise level. Therefore, handle arrangements with an integrated heat pipe are presented herein.”
The iBook G3 Clamshell had a handle (removed on later models), a quick search turned up third-party handles for newer models, too, though at about $45 you might be better off with a case.
Have you bought handles? Would you like to see them on your next laptop?
via macsimum news
Posted by Nicole Martinelli in News | Comment on this article
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The Mac Portable had a handle, predating the clamshell iBook by about a decade. And before that, early Zenith laptops had handles, starting with the Z-180 (circa 1987).
Dan Knight, on March 25th, 2009 at 2:38 am
I’ve seen a few handles on laptops but don’t really prefer them as I have always used a carrying case with a shoulder strap. However looking at this my concern would be if this looks to be integrated into the bottom and would “swing” open. I would imagine it could be rather warm or even hot to the touch after using your laptop for some time. Especially if it were made from aluminum.
I would have to reserve judgement on it’s final design, handles usually don’t mess real well with terms like “thin unibody sleek design”. Then again it is Apple, so you just never know
JD, on March 25th, 2009 at 8:36 am
There’s another handle on the market for all kinds of laptops. The ToteGrip handle fits around the hinges of just about any laptop. Very comfortable and convenient. The ToteGrip has nothing to do with heat sinking though
Sceek, on March 28th, 2009 at 8:43 am