The bottom of my PowerBook G3 Series becomes very warm after extended periods of use. Is this normal?

Your PowerBook is functioning normally. After extended periods of use, the bottom surface can become very warm. You should avoid prolonged physical contact with the bottom of the computer when it does get warm.

Here are some suggestions for working with your G3 Series PowerBook to address any concerns you may have with the operating temperature. These suggestions are also applicable to a PowerBook G3 Series (Bronze keyboard) and PowerBook (FireWire).

• When using your PowerBook, place it on a hard surface, such as a desktop or a tray. This hard surface allows air flow under the unit to dissipate heat. Using the unit on a soft material such as a towel or pillow is not recommended as it will not allow air to flow under the unit.
• Turning processor cycling on in the Energy Saver Control Panel greatly reduces the temperature of the unit. To further reduce the operating temperature of the unit, select Reduce Processor Speed and select a shorter time setting for Hard Disk Spin down, also in the Energy Saver Control Panel.

The design and operation of the PowerBook G3 Series is within Apple specification. The PowerBook G3 Series complies with the safety standard for Information Technology Equipment, IEC 950. This safety standard is sometimes referred to as UL 1950 in USA, CSA 950 in Canada, EN 60 950 in Europe, and ASNZ3260 in Australian/New Zealand.

There are third party utilities that measure the temperature of the PowerBook. It is important to understand that these utilities are not measuring the external case temperature. The actual case temperature will be much lower.

With processor and bus speeds achieved in portable computers today often matching, if not exceeding, those of desktop systems, increased operating temperatures in portable computing products will be noticed throughout the industry.

Note: Macintosh PowerBook G3 Series computers should not be confused with Macintosh PowerBook G3 computers. Though the names are similar, there are significant differences. For more information differentiating between the computers, read article 24604: " PowerBook G3, G3 Series: Identifying Different Versions "