Apple Patents Laptop Handles

Is it possible that Apple finally got tired of having third parties make attachable handles for their laptops?  Or, is Apple ready to shed its customary “thin and sleek design?”  While the former seems a lot more probable than the latter, this debate recently arose with the filing of a new Apple patent.

As reported by Cult of Mac, Apple was recently granted a patent for a handle with an integrated heat pipe.  The patent application states that as designs for computers become more compact, “managing thermal loads in integrated circuits becomes more challenging.”  Thus, not only will this handle be used to carry the computer, it can help dissipate the heat the builds up inside the computer.  It is stated that this solution might actually work better than using a fan, as fans may significantly lower battery life as well as increase the noise level.

An example of an Apple computer that actually contained a handle was the iBook G3 Clamshell.  Unfortunately, the handle was removed on later models.  However, one must wonder if the handle is used to dissipate generated heat, will their laptop literally be too hot too handle?