Laptop Cooler

A custom cooler, interesting idea. I hope it works well. You should try Peltier cooling.

=======================================
One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
My advice is based on personal experience. Effectiveness will vary.

 

For a 15.4 wide screen I know that the Antec Notebook Cooler will work, but what about the Bytecc Aluminum Notebook Cooler?

Of the 2 it looks like the Bytecc is the best rated cooler out there. I could be wrong, please tell me what the best cooler is if its not the Bytecc. And will it work with a 15.4 wide screen?

Thanks a ton!!

 

well if you look at my review of the bytecc on page 2 or 3, it seems quite small for my 15.4...I don't mind since I leave it in one place. I don't really recommend it if you're mobile with it.

 

Has anyone found a good solution for 17" laptops yet? I have a Dell 9300 and it can get pretty hot. I am looking for a good solution to the heat issue. I have read this whole post and think that the Cooler Master Notepal looks to be what I need, but it is not on the market yet (at least in the states)

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by EricM
... think that the Cooler Master Notepal looks to be what I need, but it is not on the market yet (at least in the states)
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

For US retail, see http://www.sundialmicro.com/cooler_master_notepal_r9nbcadas_notebook_coole_1731_454.html

 

My Vantec LapCool 2 notebook cooler should arrive today. It is the blue one. When I get the chance to test it out today with my Averatec 6130-HS, I'll post a mini review.

EDIT:
Ok, I hooked up the cooler with my notebook. Easy installation although the notebook is a little bit wider than the cooler, but it's no problem. It's about an inch wider than the cooler. So far, I let the notebook on idle for about 30min. It gets a bit warm but not as warm as before w/o the cooler. I start up a game, MVP Baseball 2005. Been playing for about an hour. Before w/o the cooler, it used to get so hot and that I would start sweating; not sweating crazy but a bit off of my forehead. My lap would get so uncomfortable because of the heat. Now with the cooler, I can notice a big difference. Instead of being super hot, it is now warm. I definitely recommend this cooler.

Pros
-Aluminum alloy faceplate
-Adjustable fan speed
-USB powered
-Has 2 latches on the bottom to work as a stand; incline position
-Has 4 rubber pads to keep the notebook in place
-Slim design
-The fan is silent; on low it is silent, on max you can hear the fan but it isnt loud
-There are 2 storage pockets on the bottom

Cons
-None really

*I set the fan speed to max for this test.

 

I really like the idea of making my own laptop cooler, looking at alot of the units on the market today, it really does not look that hard or expensive (Slab of aluminum may be the most expensive part). I am a Master Automobile technician (Now in IT) and my father also happens to be a machinist. I would think between the two of us, we could make/design a good cooler and be able to design the unit to work better with my specific laptop.

 

What you would need to do is design the slab with holes for where the rubber feet are so that the metal is touching the actual case. Also, you should put some vent slits for the memory.

Then you could stick some heat sinks to the other side using arctic silver thermal epoxy.

you could then either make a small box with fans to blow air over the heat sinks or cut a hole in your desk to put the cooler flush with the desktop and maybe make a box underneath with some fans.

If you do go through with making your own cooler, lemme know. I'd like to see it come to life.

 

Another 17 inch laptop user looking for good cooler!

FragBook DR, 3.4 Ext., 2 gig RAM, 2 60 gig 7,200 rpm HD's, Radeon 9700 Mobility Turbo video w/256 megs ram, DVD/CD-R burner, 7-1 card reader, 17in WSXGA. 3 built-in cooling fans that at the end of a 10 hour graphic session are running all the time.

All the coolers I've seen have a small, 12 inch wide, base. I need at least 15.25 inches for this beast

Alan

 

For those who want to try something cheap, go to the kitchenware department of Wal-Mart, or similar, and get one of those grids that people lay in the bottom of the sink or on the side to rest the plates on to dry.

I've been using one for the last couple of years. First on my Compaq Presario 2135 and now on the Averatec 3250. Works for me! [ ]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Chutsman

 

Hello everyone, I own a LG LM50a and I use a Kingwin Ultra-Cool cooler (Which my laptop sits on perfectly well - With these 2 pieces it only takes up about 2.5inches so I can put these 2 in a case easily). I purchased this particular model over vantec and the others mainly because of it's features and how heat escapes.

Firstly, with most coolers - the hot air is extracted beneath the cooler and if you use those particular models on your lap - your lap will block the hot air being extracted. However, with the Kingwin Ultra-Cool, the air is extracted on the sides of the cooler (all 4 sides mind you). In addition, it can be powered by USB alone; however, if you wish to use the extra features (3USB and card readers) it comes with an AC adapter which is used to give more power for those extra features.

What I dislike about this particular model is that it has 3 fans (not sure why, they should have just put 2 or just 4). Also, it's made of plastic which shows a sign of weakness in durability. Nevertheless, with all the coolers - I'm pretty satisfied with this particular model because it's very thin, light weight, has nice features and I can actually use this cooler on my lap.

Here's a nice site with laptop cooler reviews if any of you are trying to figure out which laptop cooler is for you.[ ]

http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/cooling_devices/laptop_coolers/kingwin_ultra_cool/index.htm

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by lapboy

 

Hi,

I've read this whole listing and still have not found any Cooling solution for the XPS Gen 2 17" laptop. Please email me at [email protected] if anyone found something. The CF300-NEB PacificBreeze cooler does not look like a good choice cause it's too small. The two air outlets at the back of the Gen 2 are at the two extremes of the laptop and this cooler will not even sit below either of them.

Thanks

 

The Cooler Master NotePal seems to work pretty well so far. I just got it, I have had barely any time to even try it to much yet.I live in the States an i have one. I ordered it here:

http://www.sundialmicro.com/cooler_master_notepal_r9nbcadas_notebook_coole_1731_454.html

When i get time, i will do some test for everyone.

Dell Ispiron 9300
Pentium M 1.8
1024MB DDR2
Go6800 256MB

 

EricM, The specs of that cooler show that the length is 320mm but the GEN 2 laptop is 390mm length-wise. And if you want the its rubber feet to sit on the NotePal Notebook Cooler, then we need a cooler that is at least 340mm length-wise. And i don't think at either of the 2 rubber feet on the back of the GEN 2 will touch the Cooler either. The idea of having the laptop scraped on the bottom by the cooler doesn't appeal to me (even if it means more heat dissipation).

I've started making my own cooler. With an old vantec cooler, a Monitor stand (that I purchased from Ebay for $10) and some ingenuity, I'll have one customize so that the AIR is directed from holes coming out of the stand (right below the intake vents and memory vents).


EricM, try the cooler and let me know how it turn out.

Thanks

 

Has anyone tried a lapinator? I've read several good reviews on it. I'm thinking of trying their original one. I don't understand how it works but there are no fans. It sounds like it works because it provides a cool spot for the computer. They have a new one out now called lapinator plus designed for 17" notebooks.

http://www.lapinator.com/

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/lapinator-review.html

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by danshe

 

Hmm.. Howd you make it? Care to elaborate?

=======================================
One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
My advice is based on personal experience. Effectiveness will vary.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by gecko

 

Now That I have had some time to really use the Cooler Master Notepal, I think it is still a hair to small for 17" laptops. It really isnt the width that is the problem, it is the depth of the unit. When I use it in my lap, it is fine, but if i use it on a table, the laptop wants tip off the back of the cooler.

But I did notice About 7 degrees cooler using the unit in my lap.

Dell Ispiron 9300
Pentium M 1.8
1024MB DDR2
Go6800 256MB

 

I just received my Cooler Master Notepal from expansy.com and it seems to be working fine.. very quiet and light.. i have a 15.4 inch wide screen and it fits comfortably on the Notepal which fits nicely on your lap and lets you get a good typing angle if its on your lap.. and it doesnt seem like it would slip or fall over.. i tried tilting it sideway while on my lap and the lap top will not move at all.. so you can have it on your lap move your knees around and it wouldnt slip off.. over all i'm satisfied with my Notepal. It might not be the best idea if most of your ports and usb ports is in the front though.. cause the sleeve will block it out.. oh and if you have like a P4 3gz or something dont get this.. i would only suggest the Notepal for a laptop that doesnt get too hot or over heated all the time.. cause i think the fan is kind of weak.. and would only be good for somethin thats 2.5 gz and below or something.. or maybe if your laptop doesnt get as hot as a p4 3gz. then go for it.. oh and i remember someone asking if the alluminum will scratch the bottom of the laptop... so far i have no scratch.. the cooler doesnt feel like it will scratch the laptop eiter... could be the coating..

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by hnt805

oh and i remember someone asking if the alluminum will scratch the bottom of the laptop... so far i have no scratch.. the <hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

The scratches occur only on the 17" laptop not on the 15" one. That's why I made my own cooler.

 

Hey guys look at this. This thing looks pretty cool and efficient, only thing is I wonder if it works with 17 inches.

http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/scnost2pohub.html

 

I'm in the market again for a cooler. I got the lapinator last week for my dell 600m. My lap stays cool but my notebook gets as hot as ever and the surface of the lapinator gets very hot as well. This is a new notebook- I've never heard fans come on. Maybe they aren't working.

At this point I'm thinking of the simple vantac because of price: $19 or the thermaltake cooler which is $32. Has anyone tried the thermaltake yet?

 

i'm looking for something portable that will at least cool down my hdd and ram.
my left palm rest is BLACK due to ridiculous amount of heat dissipated by hdd and since i plan to upgrade my hdd, it might get even hotter!

i've found some good reviews for bytecc aluminum cooler...
but the thing is, the cooler never makes any physical contact with the laptop due to its extruded rubber thingy...
another one i've found interesting was antec cooler (that X shaped one)
according to one review, the orientation of this device is critical so even though all the other reviews bash on this one, i think it's a good choice. i just don't know how much of a portable cooler can this thing be.
lastly, lapcool3 (lpc-401) from vantec also caught my attention.
the only downside of this cooler is that, i could NOT find a place that has a review for it or even a place that sells this!!
uhm... help?

 

how do i no if i need a laptop cooler??

6/14-Ordered Inspiron 9300 wit:1.86 GHZ Pentium M | 512 MB DDR RAM | 80 GB hard drive | 256 NVidia GeForce Go 6800
6/29: Expected Shipping

 

if your laptop gets hotter than you would like it, then you can buy a cooler. I think a cooler is a good idea if your going to be leaving the laptop on for long periods of time.

~HP Pavilion ZV6000 series~
-AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.0GHz
-512MB RAM
-128MB ATI Mobility radeon X200m
-80GB 5400RPM HDD
-15.4" Widescreen w/ Brightview
-DVD±RW W/DL support
-XP Pro
-2X 12-Cell Batteries

 

kk...thanks mtrivs

6/14-Ordered Inspiron 9300 wit:1.86 GHZ Pentium M | 512 MB DDR RAM | 80 GB hard drive | 256 NVidia GeForce Go 6800
6/29: Expected Shipping

 

Wow that lapinator uses some messed up logic...
It's not really that the notebook is resting on a hotspot, it's the fact that the notebook creates the hotspot which is the problem...
I don't see how insulating the notebook so that the heat stays trapped in it can help in cooling. However I'm guessing a lot of the heat is lost simply because the notebook is elevated so airflow is improved.

 

Maybe we can ask Coolermaster to bring out a version of the Notepal that supports 17" widescreen notebooks.

Send them a message @ http://www.coolermaster-europe.com/index.php?LT=english&Language_s=2&url_place=customer_service

I already did

 

Don't buy the Coolermaster Notepal if you have a 17" wide screen laptop. I bought the Notepal because in the specifications they mentioned that they support 17" laptops but they forgot to mention that they only support for widescreens up to 15"4 laptops.

I have a HP7392EA 17" widescreen and none of the rubber pads are on the notepal surface, thus by placing the laptop on the notepal surface you close the fan holes of the laptop. What you can do is make sure that you cool the left-side of the laptop by moving the laptop to the right of the notepal surface as far as possible to have at least one rubber pad on the notepal surface.

I don't freakin' understand why the hell there is no product to cool 17" widescreen notebooks!! 17" notebooks often use hardware that needs additional cooling. If I would have a darn 15" 1.6Ghz Intel Centrino I don't think I would even need the extra freakin' cooling but hey enough products to cool that :s

 

What are the air flow direction of the coolers?
No one seems to specify that.

I have Toshiba A70 and it takes in the air from the bottom and blows out to the back. I don't think coolers that take in the hot air from the bottom of the notebook will work for this type of notebooks.

What are the good coolers available on the market that blow air up to the bottom of the notebook?

Thanks,
John

 

I think most fan based coolers do that like the chill pad etc...

 

The bytecc cooler blows a lot of cool air towards the bottom of the notebook...I've noticed my bytecc cooler has decreased in efficiency...I tried cleaning out the fan but there wasn't a significant change...so I took off the metal grils on the bottom of the fan and that seemed to fixed the problem...I don't recommend this to mobile people because the chances of damaging the fan is guaranteed. I decided to place a thick book under the stand to increase the angle and allow the fans to draw more air from the bottom. It worked a bit too well. My Inspiron 9100 external temperatures barely exceeds ambient air temperature…and this after intense online gaming.

 

Happy to hear they make one for the 15.4", I may pick one up for my Dell 6000. It's a bit odd that they don't make it for the 17" because it seems like the 17" would get more continued use as a desktop replacement and would be on for a longer period of time.

 

Sounds fine and the physical idea behind is clear, if it is really implemented. However, I wonder if this solution is effective if your laptop bottom is made of plastic.

I would like to ask those who post about their laptop coolers with fans to comment about the fan noise with the numbers from the specs, if available. Otherwise it is not obvius if the external fan of the cooler is a better solution that internal whining animal inside the laptop.