Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for stabilizing a computing device having a touch screen display on a flat surface. This helps prevent the device from being inadvertently moved, tipped over or otherwise displaced by a user when the display screen is tapped. By using a fan or a type of air pump to evacuate air from underneath a bottom surface of the device, a low-pressure region can be created that effectively pins the device to the flat surface. An airtight vacuum seal on the bottom of the device prevents air from entering or escaping the low-pressure region that has been created. A configurable actuator mounted within the device may regulate airflow to and from this low-pressure region. The fans or pump used to create the airtight seal may also be used for thermal management of internal device components.