Laptop as portable music player?

[Kiam]

I broke my discman today and have no way to listen to music while walking to class. Is it bad for my computer if I leave it on, close the lid, and leave iTunes on so I can listen to music via headphones? I'm thinking it's not, since it's being jostled and everything by my walking, but I really have no idea. Do you?

Thanks!

[Clanwolfer]

Generally, it's not good for your HD to have the platter going while there's any motion going on; it's delicate, and a wrong jounce to the needle can damage it pretty quickly.

Then again, I know some amateur photographers that pipe high-quality shots straight to a backpack-carried laptop from a digital camera, so YMMV.

[egrudzin]

It's also going to generate a lot of heat and won't be able to get good ventillation while packed in your bag.  You may have problems with it overheating.