text: if i buy a laptop? with a tv tuner would it be better to get a external one instead to cause less heat? the heat which might be generated by using the internal one would be significant enough to cause concern but not high enough to cause drastic overheating problems unless there happens to be any unforeseen problems like a voltage flucutation, fan getting worn out or not running at its rated rpm(revolutions per minute).  if you are buying a toshiba laptop with in built turner, you wouldnt face too many problems because of its ingenious strategic engineering but for other laptops, i suggest you buy an external one. buy a one that would not draw in power from the laptop and has only the cable input connection to it.  considering all possible factors, i would personally suggest you getting an external one not just because of the heat problem. it has other shortcomings too when you opt for an internal.