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110

Vostros and left handed users

110 points posted to Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops by taipeimarc May 10

I recently purchase a Dell Vostro 1500. Its a great computer, but as a left handed mouse user, the heat vent on the left side of the laptop is excruciatingly painful. In addition, 3 months after I purchased this laptop, my LCD panel developed a yellow vertical line down the screen. I believe this was caused by my hand blocking the air circulation of the vent. (~just a guess, but I read on the Dell forums that heat is one of the reasons this occurs).

I was offered the option to return this computer, but other than this problem I am very satisfied with it and would prefer to keep it (with a repaired LCD panel) if Dell can offer a solution.

I suggest that Dell build a simple and cheap heat deflector for lefties and send it to any user that complains about this problem. If not, they should at the very least place a warning on the Vostro online store site and warn left handed users about this problem.

Here is my concept idea:



PS. I live in Taipei and can easily find someone to make this for next to nothing. Feel free to contact me as I would be glad to be your beta tester. Left handed people really need this. Its a big problem for us. Thank you.

taipeimarc
May 10		 Please note, I do not claim any design rights for this idea. It is yours for the taking.

As a person that uses this laptop for 10+ hours a day, I just want some relief.
sugarbear
May 10		 You are right about the problem this causes if you are left handed.
jervis961
May 11		 I'm not sure it would work as well as straight out venting though. They should at least look into it.
jdelidc
May 11		 i got so frustrated with everything being set up right handed that i just switched to right handed. except for writing. so i can say from personal experience that this would help but i'll never be able to say how much

(and that don't mean i'm both handed. i can't do a lot of stuff with my left hand anymore)
ward733
May 11		 I think this is something they had fixed in the new 1310, 1510, 1710 models with a redesigned cooling technology.. I'm right handed but used just my left for about 3 hrs.. i noticed some heat on my 1700 but it was'nt bad .. I only have the t5470 processor though.. My fans only come on when i am playing quake wars, rarely any other time...
taipeimarc
May 19		 From what I can see the vent is still on the left side on all of the new model Vostros. see here: http://tinyurl.com/3rbgd2 (press the look closer button)

I think with a small integrated USB fan, the outflow would be suffice. BTW, I was told by Dell Service that this fan is for the SATA hard drive. On my computer the fan seems to be constantly running. I am not a gamer, I just use this PC for Excel and webstuff.
hexagrapher
May 20		 A hot air deflector seems like a decent compromise.

Personally I would like the intake vents on laptops to be on a side and the outgoing vent to be on the back. (The intake vent on my Vostro is on the bottom, which means that there are certain surfaces that I cannot place my laptop on without blocking the intake vent.)
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