USB Powered and Most Efficient Metal Cooler Pad with 3 Built-in Fans for Laptop Computer
by Dekcell
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Our Price: $8.08 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of USB Powered and Most Efficient Metal Cooler Pad with 3 Built-in Fans for Laptop Computer
Customer Review: A "Cool" Little Device
Summary: 4 Stars
Update: Well, I've had this over a year now and it's been running 24/7. One of the fans gets a little erratic and there's more vibration than at first. I could probably stand to clean it more often than I do, but honestly, considering all the abuse I put it through and how well it still continues to run, it is an awesome little machine. I highly recommend it.
After being disappointed with the Antec (terrible output) and Targus (flimsy and falls apart after two weeks) cooling pads, I was feeling like I was taking a chance on yet another cooling mat. The two reviews here seemed to like it, but those were the only reviews I found. But I must say so far I'm pleased with this one.
The output is strong and I like that it has a third center fan (that's where most of the heat comes out of my laptop). The frame is designed for a lot of ventilation, something the Targus and Antec failed miserably at. The USB power cord isn't removable, so if that ever gets damaged, most people will have to replace the whole unit. It's a bit short, but at least not as short as the Antec's cord.
It has a couple of weaknesses that also double as strengths, which is kind of odd. I wish it had a closed back so I can use it on my lap better (though a book works fine) and the power cables running to the fans could easily be cut in my current home office setup. It's not as easy to slip into a computer case as closed-back pads are, mostly for the risk of breaking the wires.
However, the advantage to an open-backed system is it would be easy to repair if any of the fans were damaged. This cooling pad is nothing more than three standard computer fans and a switch on a specialized aluminum frame (I bet all the money went into the frame). Anyone with even a marginal skill at household repair would be able to easily replace the fans or switch. They're just screwed into the frame. The frame itself is really the true innovation and even without the fans would be a great pad for a laptop with the abundance of air circulation it promotes. The frame is also very sturdy and would take a lot of effort to destroy past usability.
Overall I'd have to give this a four. It's the USB cord that really knocks a star down. I can't see how it's connected to the fans (there's a protective sheath over it) and I'm not about to take it apart until I need to, but I don't like that the cord can't be unplugged from the cooling unit. It has potential for the fans and wires to be damaged, but it really depends on where you use it. My situation is more chaotic than most and someone using it just on a desk or other flat surface will probably have no trouble at all. And since it's assemblage means very easy repair, I can't count the open back as a disadvantage.
If this lasts longer than the Targus (ha!) and continues to have strong fan output, I'll consider it a definite success.
Customer Review: I'm happy, and i'm the 5th review of this product.
Summary: 4 Stars
(Original Reveiew - May 2007)
OK, i read all kinds of reviews about these cooling fans. I have a Dell Inspiron 9300 (17" ultrawidescreen) so I knew already this wouldn't fit like a glove. But ever since I upgraded my hard drive and memory, the machine runs really, and I mean REALLY hot. Also, because my memory is located at the underside dead center, I needed a fan to be positioned right there to help in protecting my $300 of RAM. This product did it. My memory temperature is, still warm, but not HOT. I also bought this because of the form factor. Since it is on a pretty durable aluminum painted stand, it is pretty steady, and the open back, oh well, that's the way it is made, and for a good reason, better airflow (the fans have cage protectors). But really, when I toiled over all the other models I read about and then saw this one, I couldn't help but think... 'and if one of the fans burn out, I can just unscrew it and add a new one'. That was the main selling point for me, next to durability. This way I can take this somewhat pricey (cause there's nothing to it) but efficient unit and repair it if needed. My goal was to cool my laptop on my desk, not win the 'red carpet' award for fashion. Again, under my giant Dell 17 wide-body notebook, I can't even see it. As far as noise level, cause everyone likes to talk about it... It sounds like your laptop fan when it is starting to push the heat out under tremendous load. I mean, you got 3 fans under there, they are going to make some noise, but trust me it is bearable and not annoying.
So, as reviewer #5 at Brilliant Store's site for this Aluminum Cooler Pad with 3 Built-In Fans, I give it a 4 out of 5. The only reason for the 4 is because the Chinese manufacturer really could have spent another $1 by putting a back cover on this thing with very little effort, and the cost to you and me would probably still be the same. They probably could have saved money on the fan finger protectors and put it into a single piece of aluminum with lots of holes. But I'm happy.
I hope this information helps.
Flash Forward to JANUARY 2008......
The unit is still working perfectly. My computer is so happy when it is attached. When it is not, it gets hot, really hot! Hope that update helps.
Customer Review: great little cooler so far
Summary: 4 Stars
i received this product today so obviously i dont have a lot of use out of it just yet. but then again, i dont usually leave reviews. i'd like to say the quality of this item exceeded my expectations so far. it's actually a piece of metal with three little fans, seemingly the kind you'd find in the back of the desktop enclosure.
i've been debating for a while to get a cooler since my powerbook g4 gets pretty darn hot. but so far, my computer's been running for a good 1.5 hours and it is COOL. not warm, but the same temperature it would be if it were OFF. i am amazed.
the first thing i noticed when i took it out of the box (which looked like it was from china) was that it was metal. it's not plastic, but pretty sturdy.
the second thing is that it has rubber grommets that hold the computer up without scratching it, and so it doesnt contact the bottom.
the third... it is QUIET. when you plug it into the usb and flick the on switch, it's so much quieter than the mac's internal fan.
i hope it lasts. it seems like it was worth the money. it's funny, but i'd hate to think what it would be like to receive a plastic cooler. or a cooler with only ONE fan. this one has three! it has plenty of room to channel air through. i did plenty of reading of the other coolers.
i can think of one downside, however, and it is that the design doesnt accomodate on-the-lap usage. it's built to sit on your desk. oh well. no problem.
i gave it 4 stars because i havent put in an endurance test. i figured 4 stars is fair! so far i recommend this product. check out the two pictures i've uploaded. they're the ones that don't look ver professional. but i hope you get the idea.
EDIT 2/23/09: the middle fan stopped working, but i dunno if it's because i kept moving it around and broke it myself or because it's a jenky product. :P
Customer Review: Not to shabby,
Summary: 4 Stars
So I purchased this on the 22nd of July and now it is 25th. It just arrived 10:30am. First off I was not expecting it to arrive today. So the excitement of it turning up earlier is always great! Thank you Cubeternet!!! So I purchased this unit because my Acer 17' laptop is overheating considerably. I've seen my processor get up to 80C. This is a very big concern for me! So i hooked up a fan for a desk and layed it on it's side and elevated my computer to allow the cool air to help cool it down. Sitting idle it used to be around 55C and when i got out a fan and hooked it up it was sitting idle at 45-48C. Well I bought this laptop cooler because i was sick of having this fan blowing on it. So right now my computer is sitting idle at 48C and when i load the processor it gets up to 56-58C. I think this was a good purchase but im going to put to the test.
I think this was a good purchase and will last me long. I like the fact that it is a open back so if the fans fail i can replace them. I am thinking about maybe purchasing another one and adding bigger fans to the unit to see how well performance is.
I am happy with this unit and i think it will keep my computer lasting longer! I think most of the money you spend is towards the aluminum casing.
Thank you Cubeternet. I would defiantly recommend this unit to anyone who wants a to keep their computer running longer, living a longer life, and staying cooler.
Customer Review: Long name, simple design, good cooler
Summary: 4 Stars
The thing about this pad that I appreciate the most is it's simple design. It is, in effect, a simple piece of aluminum bent into a cooler-pad shape, three fans bolted on, and a bunch of rubber grommets and pads to keep your computer and itself in place. The fans are standard 60mm size, nice and quiet, and when the day comes that one of them does start to fail, the wiring scheme is so simple that I'll have a harder time scrounging the tools and parts to replace it than actually replacing the fan.
The only real problem I have is it's size. I have a large laptop (17" HP DV7) and it hangs a couple inches off either side and a little off the front, so it's really designed for a machine smaller than the one I have. Despite this, it cools my machine exceptionally well and is stable enough that it has survived the "curious toddler what's-this-daddy? test."
Pros: All in all a well designed, sturdy, and efficient design. Fans easily serviceable/replaceable.
Cons: Completely open design on the sides and bottom. Little protection for underside wiring, not very portable. Overall size would work better for notebooks smaller than 17".