I couldn't find anything that specifically said one way or another, but I would assume that it is an exhaust.

Mike,

 

It does not matter whether the fans are intake or exhaust, you should not use the system lying on a soft surface.  The cooling system is designed to function with the system resting on a smooth surface so that air can flow under the system.  Even if the vents on the bottom are exhaust, you will cause the system to heat up more quickly, and get hotter by blocking those vents.

 

Dell does not sell laptops.  We have not used that term in the 10 years that I have worked for Dell.  They are portable, or notebook computers.  They are designed for be used on a hard flat surface.

 

 

Rollie,

  Thanks for the reply, but:

 

1.  That didn't really answer the question

2.  I don't recall using the word laptop

3.  Since the other "notebook" computers (e.g. IBM Thinkpad) I own don't have a vent on the bottom (and don't heat up as a result), I consider this a design flaw.  When you get sued because someone's bed caught fire when they fell asleep, so will you.

 

Anyone else able to answer the original question?

 

--Mike

On both the D620 and D820:

      The grates on the bottom, back corner are the air input, which gets drawn in by a fan.  The air gets pushed towards the back edge through a set of heatsink fins then exhausted out the back.

    

 

 

     Assuming the heat & circuit protection are working correctly, if you're careless enough to block either of the cooling ports, the unit will shut itself down when preset overheat temperatures are reached.

 

     Not really a design-flaw... just a different way of design & usage.  To each there own.

 

 

 

Do a google search on "review dell latitude D820", and repeat this for the D620 model. I did this a few days ago before ordering a new notebook. All of the reviews of the D820 I read highlighted excellence in the design of this model. Generally, reviewers felt that the machine was quiet, cool and well vented (and thus far less prone to getting too warm to use on your knee etc). On the basis of these comments and also excellent comments about performance and functionality I picked the D820.

 

As a frequent global traveller, I have 2 notebooks and a desktop at home. In recent years I have been through IBM, Compaq, Acer, Dell and Sony. The sony is nice to look at and good for doing emails and light work (I leave this at home when travelling). The other non Dells have been disastrous, and have lasted less than a year each. Dell has survived my global test - the last one I had is still going in its 6th year, and this is a desktop replacement that gets lugged around the place a lot, then turned on and used for 8 to 10 hours a day.

When travelling a lot and staying in hotels, it is often more comfortable to sit on the bed with laptop on knee, or when the fone goes off, leave the laptop on the bed turned on, etc.... My old Dell never complained about being left on soft surfaces. However, always watch the vents to make sure the notebook can breathe!

 

 

 

 

Timerider and Liam,

 

  Perfect!  Just what I was looking for.  Thanks to you both for your comprehensive replies!

 

--Mike  :smileyhappy: