The pros and cons of using your laptop with the lid closed

Will it damage your laptop over time?

By Nimrod Aldea Nov. 8, 2026 12:45 pm EST Dragon Images/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

Laptops have come a long way since they became popular in the mid-to-late 2000s. Back then, they were bulky and heavy, with very short battery life. They were also seen as a lesser version of the desktop, with weaker hardware and limited capabilities. Today's laptops are much thinner and lighter, their battery life is far better, and their hardware can go toe to toe with most standard tower PCs.