Cooling Pads, do they work?

I currently use the Zalman NC-2000 whenever I use my M11x and I still feel massive amounts of heat rising from the left side of the keyboard (better out then in I suppose). It's super quiet at even the highest fan speeds. I purchased the Zalman online for about $65 including shipping and I've been pretty happy with it so far, I've never tried using my laptop without some sort of "cooling accessory" so I wanted to hear from you guys if and what kind of cooling pads you all use and were they worth the buy.

I also have the Thermapak Heatshift that I've used once, not sure if that actually dropped the temps in my M11x.

I'll try and use my M11xR1 without any type of cooling pad and see if there is a noticeable difference tonight, as it is my last day before I start my vacation

 

I use a cheap plastic no brand thing... it has fans but the main method is to give space under the laptop. I think the cost for it broken down might have been 2 bucks.

If using fans I have it "normal" if not using fans then I invert it so the legs point upward. This provides a smooth surface for my lap and gives a LOT of space under for the laptop to cool itself. Works well.

Why? When working I have multiple externals screens and work the system harder. I get ever so slight improvement with cooler fans running. On my lap its light duty single screen... zero gain using cooler fans.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x72/Gadgetista/coolpad/NOTE-PAD.jpg
http://67.222.47.190/ldmedia/product/013099/013099_show1.jpg
http://images.bidorbuy.co.za/user_images/271/1088271_111016143703_41Qu6WhfNcL.jpg

Summary, "yes" they work. Might depend on how they are used and under what load.

 

100% they work - at least the one i got helped immensely with my R2

Amazon.com: Zalman Ultra-Quiet Notebook Cooler, Model ZM-NC1000 (Black): Electronics

i easily stay between 50-60c for everything now, when i used to hit over 72 on my gpu regularly.

 

He is using R1 which likely runs cooler than yours with faster recovery time. There is still benefit but it will likely be different.

 

They work great as I tested I dropped 6 degrees celceius using the NC-2000 and I dropped about 2 degrees c using the heatshift. Though I was not running any programs that used a lot of the CPU off GPU. I did use D3 and L4D2 when I did the test on the Zalman. I was on Internet explorer, iTunes, and had steam running in the background when I used the Thermaltake Heatshift.

 

I received this Coolermaster yesterday: NotePal X-Lite - Cooler Master and I've almost never been so pleased with a purchase - I'm using it on my R1 whilst it is screen-recording 24/7, it's made a huge difference, I can now touch it without getting burnt and I can hardly hear it.

 

i got that too on slickdeals for $10 (assuming the rebate comes )

i'm fine with it. temps aren't a huge difference from cpu but the laptop feels a lot cooler

 

Mine was £13, so nearer $20 - but it was worth every penny, I am in love!

 

This pops up a lot! For UK users I purchased and would recommend this. It is a perfect size, sits perfectly underneath the m11x and there is little protrusion around the edges. It is also curved so allows for plenty of room underneath the laptop for air to move. Yes, it has one blade missing but as the listing says it doesn't make a difference. I tested without the belkin fan even running and the extra air space below reduces the temps alone with the fan on I saw a significant drop during gaming. So for £7, it is a bargain!