A thermal management system for a computing device often includes one or more internal heat pipes and conductive structures to move heat from one or more heat-generating components within the computing device to a heat exchanger. For an air-cooled device, one or more exhaust fans blow air across the heat exchanger to transfer heat from the heat exchanger to the air before it is exhausted out of the computing device. While operation of the exhaust fans may be necessary to maintain device temperature below one or more thresholds, exhaust fan operation may be optimized to maximize the user experience. The presently disclosed technology applies distinct exhaust fan speed and/or direction profiles for each of one or more exhaust fans within the computing device to maximize the user experience, particularly to reduce or avoid blowing hot air at the user's hand.