Zalman ZM-NC 1000 Notebook Cooler Review

So I recently got my Zalman cooler and decided I was so pleased with it I just had to write some kind of review! This is my first review ever so bare with me if I forget something

First some speccs and pics

ZM-NC1000
- Materials : Pure Aluminum, ABS
- Weight : 1,195 g
- Dimensions : 308(L) X 330(W) X 40(H) mm
- Noise : 18.0 - 25.5 dBA ± 10 %
- Input Voltage : 5V
(Connects with Notebook USB Port)
- Coloer : Silver & Black
Fan
- Type : Dual Centrifugal Fan
- Quantity : Two
- Bearing Type : Hypro Bearing
- RPM : 1,100 - 1,500 rpm ± 10 %

As you can see this cooler weighs quite a lot and is optimal only for usage at home, even though you could bring it along if you want to.

Usage



Many notebook coolers use the fans to blow away warm air from under the machine. The zalman does the opposite, it sucks in air and blows it out through the small holes. What this means is that if your notebook has its air intake underneath it this will help a lot with your cooling. If however the exhaust is undernearth your notebook this cooler would only counteract the system. Your notebook is supported by rubber pads making sure it stays competely put.



You can choose whichever speed you want between 1,100 rpm and 1,500 rpm using the regulater, instead of having fixed speed options. The cooler is connected to your computer's USB port, and provides one at the same time.

Sound

When using the cooler at the lowest settings the sound is as good as inaudible. Even dead at night with complete silence the noise can be heard but is not noticable unless you listen specifically for it. When using it at max the story is completely different. I found that in my case the max setting was louder than the fans from the computer.

Tests

Quick tech overview of my computer:

Zepto Znote 3415w, based on the Compal IFL90
C2D T7300
2gb memory
Nvidia 8600m gt 512mb
Samsung 160gb 5200rpm

To test how effective this baby really was I tried a couple of different benchmark programs and chose the ones that produced the maximum amount of heat - these temperatures are never reached in normal (even serious gaming) conditions for me otherwise.

GPU - Nvidia Geoforms
CPU - Dual instance Prime95
HDD - Sisoft Sandra filesystem burn-in

GPU - PowerMizer DEACTIVATED

Idle:
Max fan setting: 52
Lowest fan setting: 54
No cooler: 59

Full load, 30 minutes geoforms
Max fan setting: 70
Lowest fan setting: 73
No cooler: 79

CPU - Constant full speed operation (even during idle)

Idle
Max fan setting: 45
Lowest fan setting: 46
No cooler: 51

Full load, 30 minutes dual instance prime95
Max fan setting: 62
Lowest fan setting: 63
No cooler: 67 (with the internal fan spinning faster)

HDD

Idle
Max fan setting: 30
Lowest fan setting: 33
No cooler: 38

Full load, 30 minutes filesystem burn-in
Max fan setting: 37
Lowest fan setting: 39
No cooler: 42

Conclusion



Zalman's own graph isn't far from the truth! This cooler was even more effective than I though it would be when I bought it. Beyond the reduced temperatures in all examples above, it makes the keyboard a whole lot cooler, as well as gives a nice breeze when using an external mouse. I loved the design also, it doesn't have that nerdy look that many other coolers does - I wouldn't be embarrased using this in an office for example. The tilting also helps a lot for longterm use of a notebook.

However, not everything is positive about this cooler. The first thing that comes to mind is the weight. Bringing this along with you at 1,2kg can get rather troublesome. Also the width of the cooler means that if you have a widescreen 17" the sides of your notebook will be well across the edges on both sides - however this shouldn't affect the cooling or stability negatively. Another thing is the highest fan setting, which seems kind of reduntant. It doesn't help to cool much better, and sounds a lot more. Probably more than your laptop's own cooling system. The last aspect is the price. As with most Zalman products, this notebook cooler is top notch, but is also amoung the most expensive ones out there. Personally, a well worth purchase none the less.

Pros

- Very efficient cooling
- Low fan speed nearly inaudible
- Professional design
- Extra USB slot
- Provides good support for notebook

Cons

- Heavy (for many this will not matter)
- Expensive
- Not compatible with all notebooks (depends on where fan exhaust is)
- High speed fan setting redundant

Some pics, sorry for the horrible quality, these were taken by my mobile - my camera is broken :/



As you can see it's very discrete, I even had to move my laptop up a bit so it's visible.

 

Those pictures aren't original (but they do look nice )

I would say oso it is not compatible with most 17inch notebooks becoz 17 has bigger footprints than the zalman.

BTW, I acquire the same results as Zalman claim as I have a Samsung(well, they tested it on a Samsung anyway.) The result might not be significant on a MBP but it will lower the temperature down, tat i can assure.

 

I bought one of these myself and Im waiting to get it so thanks for the review! Btw what's the size of your notebook and can you give us pics of it sitting on the cooler.

 

Thats what i was about to say! Some more pics!!

Nice review!

 

Yeah sorry about not having any pics, will try to get some up soon. Having some problems with my camera at the moment.

Oh and my laptop is:

Dimensions (HxWxD)
35,2mm X 355mm x 257mm

 

Some pics taken by my mobile are up now, not so good quality, but better than nothing i suppose

 

That is actually alot saller than i thought it would be!

 

yo im thinkin about getting this but im not sure if it will fit my 17inch HP dv9548!!
any ideas?

 

Well, according to the specs as shown on amazon.com, it will, with lots of room to spare!

Product Dimensions: 129.9 x 122 x 15.8 inches

 

LOOL

129.9inches???????

 

hehehe thats one HUGE cooler!

 

Depends on it's width, and how far out the rubber feet on the laptop are placed. The cooler is 330mm wide, and my laptop is 355 and it fits with some room to spare (a couple of cm extra for both feet). However, even if your rubber feet don't fit, it doesn't mean you couldn't use the cooler anyway. It just wouldn't be "optimal"

 

Ive got the dv9000t and the cooler is smaller than it. I just received my zalman cooler and im trying it out now, so far so good!

 

The millimeter measurements make it about 12x13x4 inches (LxWxH), right? I didn't actually do the math, just estimated.

 

dunno the specs exactly but there should be some around

it is smaller than a 17" laptop, but length wise it is about right, if not longer. the width is where the laptop sticks out.

so far this thing has done wonders for my hard drive temps!

Im using it on my lap now, its not so heavy or maybe im used to carrying heavy stuff

 

There are a couple reviews of this cooler already on this site.
One from another guy with a Sager 5760, like mine.
I also have this cooler, and it DOES fit under my 17"WS 5760 with no problems. And it works pretty well on lowering temps, including hard drive temp, which is a nice plus.
The feet still set on the cooler, even though the notebook extends over the edges.

Here's the one with good pictures-
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=92167&highlight=zalman

 

Anyone use this with an Asus G1S?

Does it fit okay?

 

thats a 15.4" laptop, dont see how it wont since it is small enough to fit. the only issue is with 17" ones as they are larger than the pad

 

it fits fine...but the zalman doesn't do a thing for the g1s...i had same temp with it off

 

Hey, thanks for the review. I've been thinking about getting this, but I heard it lifts the laptop higher than most people expected. I was also hoping to get an external keyboard and mouse, so I was wondering exactly how high this lifts the laptop. Does it lift it high enough so that it acts as one of those laptop risers so you can get the screen up to eye level? I was debating whether to get this cooler so I can tackle to birds with one stone. If it doesn't, what do you guys think is the better product to have? The cooler or the riser? Thanks

 

It does not raise it to eye level, at least not mine. It probably gives the back end about an inch and a ahlf to 2 inch lift. As for which to pick, I think the cooler is going to help prolong the life of your machine.

 

As for my 17 inch NP9260, it defintely hangs over the sides and the front. All the computer feet fit firmly on the cooler and it is as steady as a rock.

The only caution I would make is to ignore the rubber strip of the cooler and slide the computer forward a bit. It did feel a bit unstable pushed to the rear of the cooler.

 

There are various explanations for why this may be - do the internal fans on the computer come on less with the cooler on for example? Or is the air intake on the back, sides or front of the computer instead of under?

 

air intake is on the bottom and the warm air comes out the back...the internal fan seem to have been active about the same amount of times. Then i set my max fps to 60 since thats all the lcd displays and that dropped the temp by 8 degrees celcius.

I still use the notebook cooler though. I will try to test it more, maybe a different game and see what happens.

 

Did u set the cooler to max?

 

my dv9000t doesnt sit 100% right on the zalman, the back stubs are on the far edges of the laptop so they cant go on the cooler. i think i need to add some stubs onto the bottom of the laptop or top of the cooler. any recommendations?

 

yes the fans are on max and yes its on..... and yes my laptop is on the zalman correctly

 

All in all, a very nice review!

 

this is weird but my temps are dropping by the day...maybe it does take some time to break it in....i went from 77C to 74C while idling and in COH my temps dropped 3C from the max. at least i'm seeing results

 

Is the Zalman acceptable for use while on your lap? I have a Sager NP2090 which will be in today that I would like to use with the Zalman or other cooler. I would probably be using it alot while sitting in a recliner while on my lap if possible.

 

im using it on my lap and its fine

hard drive temp is still 42-43 as compared to 50-55

 

wow i just saw the pricetag of 50 dollars

are there any other reputable/efficient alternatives?

 

Two questions:
A) Does it work for laying back with it on your lap?
B) If so, does it slide at all or heat your legs at all?

 

laying back ? what do ya mean? if ya mean like near sleeping then yeah it works but ya might have to move your screen up or down
and no it doesnt slide and the bottom stays pretty cool

 

I mean, lets say you are in your recliner chair, would you be able to comfortably use it? Also, how warm is it max for your legs?

 

i dont think its warm at all on your legs, even the top is cool

and yeah you can use it in a recliner chair, works fine for me

 

Does it work for an 17in widescreen well? About 15.2in wide. Alienware m9700?

 

i dunno about yours but my 17' dv9000t runs a bit cooler thanks to it, especially the hard drives whose temperatures dropped by at least 8C

 

I meant as far as size is concerned :]

 

yeah well its not as wide as a typical 17" laptop but it is proably long enough to hold it. it is designed for all laptops upto 17" but it does depend on where your vents are. if your CPU is overheating, then maybe it wont help out but i cant be sure without seeing the bottom of your laptop

 

I have a 17 inch StepNote XT5000T (blow torch) and the Zalman works great. As to "lying on your back" I use a laptop board thingy and put the Zalman and Everex on it. I know, now I have 3 things to deal with but it works great. Being that the 17 inch laptop hangs over the Zalman on each side, not using something to hold the pair would be somewhat awkward but still doable I would think. I have always used the "board" so can't say really.

The Zalman cooler is just plain very good. The Zalman vents are on the upper half, so if your laptop vent matches it would be better but I think the air would be effective in any case.

 

How does this work on a Lenovo T61?? My laptop is on all day at work (use it as a desktop pretty much) and would like something good to cool it with!

 

Must be 14 or 15 inch. Would think it would be great. Quiet fans but if turned all the way up you can hear them somewhat. I still use the Zalman everyday. Zipzoom has it for around $43