Answers to your questions

Yes, as long as you put something hard and flat underneath it. A comforter, pillow or blanket blocks the vents, air can't flow freely, and the device starts to overheat.

Before closing it, clear pens, earbuds and crumbs off the keyboard: a trapped object can mark the screen or press on the panel. Close the lid smoothly, holding it by the middle of the top edge.

Better not. If you have to, hold it by the base with both hands, not by the screen: the hinges and lid aren't designed to support the weight of the whole device.

Sleep mode is fine for a short break. Still, restart the system completely from time to time, especially after updates, and shut the laptop down fully before a trip or before storing it.

The fan gets louder when the device needs to shed more heat: under heavy load, in a hot room or when the vents are clogged with dust. If the noise doesn't die down even when the laptop is idle, it's worth getting a diagnosis.

Watch for a hot bottom, a constant fan roar, sudden slowdowns and unexpected shutdowns. Set the laptop on a hard table, close programs you don't need and let it cool down.

A stand that raises the laptop and lets air in underneath can make things a bit easier for it. But if the overheating is severe and started recently, a cooling pad is no substitute for a checkup at a repair shop.

From the outside, use only a soft brush with the laptop turned off, as described in the cleaning article. Leave anything that requires opening the case to professionals so you don't damage the fan or lose your warranty.

Turn it off, check the case and screen for cracks, and don't turn it on if you notice damage, a burning smell or rattling inside. Even if everything looks fine, keep an eye on how it runs and see a repair shop if anything seems off.

No. Turn it off, unplug it, don't turn it back on, and take it to a repair shop as soon as possible. Drying it with hot air or trying to “see if it still works” can only make things worse.

Ask whether they diagnose the problem before starting work and tell you the results up front, whether they offer a warranty on their work, and whether you'll get a written record of the repair. Be wary of a shop that won't answer these questions.

If the device still turns on, back up your important files. Write down what happened and when. Bring your warranty documents with you and keep the written record they give you.