I got a Framework 12 recently and am liking it. I regularly use it docked at my desk with a couple of displays attached. But I noticed that when the laptop’s lid is open, the exhaust vent sort of gets blocked by the bottom part of the screen’s bezel. I think this reduces cooling performance and puts unnecessary thermal stress on the area near the display so I keep it closed while it’s docked and in use. But I also heard that a lot of laptops rely on the keyboard as an air intake–does the FW12 do this? I.e. is it okay to use it at full system load with the lid closed?
There is a tiny little grid of holes right next to the display that might create a bit of passive cooling or let in a bit of air when the lid is open. But if you look at the back side of the input cover, you can see that it’s otherwise all sealed. I think the only intake is in the back, basically right next to the outlet. Having the back of the laptop close to an obstruction is more likely to make a difference, as the exhaust could get deflected and pulled back in. Well, more than it already does.
My guess is that the difference either way is negligible, assuming there is one. If I get a chance, I’ll do some Cinebench tests closed vs. open and see if it makes a difference. I can’t say exactly when I’ll get time. But I’ll try to do it later this week.
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Sounds good, thank you.
The holes above the keyboard and between the hinges act as additional air intake for the cooling fan.
Blocking them by closing the lid I think will compromise the cooling performance more than the slight interference of the display’s bottom edge with the exhaust vent.
At least, I’ve noticed that the FW12 tends to run hotter in Tablet mode when set down on a desk, which blocks that additional intake just like closing the lid would.
They are not blocked when in laptop mode. One is inlet (right), one is outlet (left). The left blows hard upwards (toward the top) when the fan operates. They shouldn’t be blocked in tablet or tent mode too (but I forget how they look - so check it out).
The keyboard on mine is not perfect fit - I can see the light from thee power led bleeding through an edge (in dark room). I doubt it’s important for cooling though.