Apple Hints At Future Liquid-Cooled Laptops

Lumenary7204 writes "According to the Register, Apple recently received US Patent Application No. 20080291629 for a 'liquid-cooled portable computer.' The filing describes a system where a 'pump ... coupled to the heat pipe is configured to circulate the liquid coolant through the heat pipe.' All claims of obviousness aside (after all, PC enthusiasts have been using liquid and phase-change cooling for years), the existence of the patent application seems to indicate that laptop manufacturers are in agreement with physicists and engineers who say we are running up against the practical limits of air-cooling such compact pieces of equipment."

Comments

Re:This won't fly.

[CRCulver]

TSA has already announced that they are relaxing the no liquids rule.

Oh my!

[millisa]

"pump ... coupled to the heat pipe is configured to circulate the liquid coolant through the heat pipe."

Why does it seem like that should be followed by 'and shipped to your door in plain, discreet packaging'?

Re:This won't fly.

[Captain Splendid]

will the liquid make a mess as it leaks out?

Wrong question.

Will it blend?

Re:This won't fly.

[Atti K.]

"Sir, you are required to remove the cooling liquid from the computer, put it into this container, which we'll put into this sealed bag. After landing you are free to put it back."

Re:This won't fly.

[bazorg]

Apple will build a user-accessible liquid coolant tank and will sell small bottles with coolant of different colours and scents. Even printer ink manufacturers will be jealous of the margins :)

Re:This won't fly.

[ChunderDownunder]

'Hit' the ground??? This is an Apple laptop; the reality distortion field will morph the pavement as it descends.

Re:Battery Usage?

[Incadenza]

Since Apple is trying for a patent for all types of mobile devices on this, it would be particularly interesting to see a water cooled iPhone...

Water cooled iPhones? I call prior art!

Re:Water?

[fastest fascist]

Ah yes, liquid ice. Why has no-one thought of that before?

Re:Water?

[Alsee]

I think you mean molten ice.

Jupiter's moon Europa also has a core of molten ice. I it even erupts occasionally from volcanos, as Europan lava.

Thousands of people die each year from molten ice inhalation.
Ask your congressman to ban molten ice!

-

Re:This won't fly.

[clickety6]

No more mess than the liquid that will leak out of you if you hit the ground when flying.

Re:This won't fly.

[Anonymous Coward]

Apple will build a user-accessible liquid coolant tank and will sell small bottles with coolant of different colours and scents.

Apple Juice?

Re:Well

[jank1887]

no, it's a safety device. the leaking liquid will extinguish the fire caused by the cracked battery. Brilliant!

Re:Wrong Direction

[wierd_w]

I dunno, I kinda like my Laptop/Easy Bake Oven. I suspect I could market the oven portion to college students and make a killing.

Re:Water?

[jitterman]

I think you mean molten ice.

No no no... Molson(tm) Ice. Should see your Apple do some interesting things once it starts to blow .08 or greater.

Re:This won't fly.

[mrchaotica]

(just as my Honda Insight only has 67hp)

Your Insight is water-cooled. Therefore, you should sell it [to me] and buy an air-cooled VW Beetle.

: )