I just set it up out of the box and there's a lot of heat on the keyboard area just above where the hdd is located inside. What is going on here?
Added (1). The computer was only on for about a half hour when ithe heat became noticeable. It goes from warm to hot, then back to warm again. Is this a problem/ cause for concern?
It's normal for laptops to get hot temperature when you're using it.
Can buy Laptop Cooling Pads to put under the laptop while you're using it.
It's normal for it to become warm, but can be dangerous for it to be hot where you can't bear it.
As other answerer suggested, you can use a lap tray or laptop stand to give the base increased airflow.
Remove from your bed and use on a hard surface so it can breathe.
It could be that the fans are not working properly.
It could be that you have the laptop set on something that is blocking the air vents preventing cool air into the case. This is a very common problem for those who place their laptops on their, well…, laps instead of using a table.
Because this is a new computer, your problem wouldn't be from dirty fan blades.
What you need to prevent the system from overheating is a laptop cooler.https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=laptop+cooler&ignorear=0&N=-1&isNodeId=1
Possible bad drive it should not be getting hot put it back in the box take it back before you can't!