What's the Best COOLER for Macbook Pro?

So I've been doing some researching and the opinions are all over the board concerning whether coolers actually do a sufficient cooling job for MBPs since they are designed differently than standard PC notebooks in that they don't suck air in from the bottom.

The most promising ones I've seen seem to be: Antec's Notebook Cooler and Ultimate Notebook Cooler 200, Zalman NC1000/2000, and the iLap (although more of a stand [no fans]).

The Ultimate Notebook Cooler seems to have its 1 massive fan positioned closest to where the MBPs get hottest - towards the upper-back.

Does anyone have any other suggestions or input on what the best notebook cooler is for the Macbook Pro?

 

You're right about cooling the upper back.

IMO any cooler can push a good amount of air towards the chassis would cool the mbp pretty well.

Since the intake is limited on the mbp you need the cooler to cool the chassis itself, which in turns cools the internals.

 

Any of the aluminum based ones (Antec & Zalman) would likely be not as effective simply because the MacBooks already utilizes this thermal technology to distribute the heat. You'll see a small difference in temperature, personally I don't think heat is very much an issue at all on the Unibody machines. They are a bit warmer than standard PCs, but very much within the thermal limits.

 

I can't remember what mine is called... but it was 19.99 and is made out of rubber/plastic and basically just lifts the laptop up a little to add to the current airflow. I like it because it's simple and doesn't require any extra cords/plugs.

 

I've tested coolers for various notebooks, and the general issue with Macs is that they do not have enough ventilation (at the bottom in particular, where is no ventilation), for any conventional cooler to be effective.

For some PC notebooks, a really good cooler can lower temperatures by as many as 8+ Celcius. I cannot envision this sort of performance for your MBP.

 

Macbooks run warm/hot. It is the way Apple designed it unfortunately.

 

so is a cooling pad a good investment or are the benefits too miniscule?

 

I've had a few coolers over the years and always found them to provide minimal cooling for Macs.

 

My late 2008 15" MacBook Pro has always run hot, and in fact after a few minutes World of Warcraft will peg the fans at maximum and soon after that the frame rates start to drop, sometimes seriously, so I invested in a thermal pad from Best Buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...ooler&lp=7&type=product&cp=1&id=1209165868801

It costs $18 and definitely helps, although I have to keep adjusting it about every 30 minutes or so in order that "fresh" crystals - unliquified - are always under the warmest parts of the machine. Over a longer period of play, say a few hours, the pad loses much of its effectiveness as the whole thing becomes warm and needs to "rest" to cool down and re-crystalize. But the design is perfect for the MacBooks with their lack of bottom vents, and it definitely works, plus being very easy to pack and carry. No power cord or outlet needed, either.

 

I have the belkin laptop cooler and its useful because it tilts the macbook for a better/comfortable typing. however although the fan is blowing al lot of air (and loud btw) it doesn't cool my macbook, the temps remain the same with it on and off when watching movies or youtube.

The gel mat on the other hand does cool my macbook and without any noise too. I get around 4C drop when using it but after a few hours you need to remove it to let it cool down, so getting 2 of these would be a good idea and they are cheap too.

 

how do people find the m-stand?

 

With an m-map?

Sorry, couldn't resist. Might get some cooling from the aluminum to aluminum heat sink effect but as people have pointed out above as there are no bottom vents on the Mac notebooks just elevating them for increased airflow isn't likely to do much good.

 

Interesting. Your pad is likely to be better at cooling MacBooks than active fan coolers. At that price, have you considered two?

 

The only time heat is an issue for me is playing WoW, and I rarely if ever do that for more than a couple-three hours at a time, so I haven't really felt the need for a second pad; it takes a good three-four hours to totally liquify the one I have to the point where it stops doing much good. Not that a second pad would be a bad idea...

 

That pad is interesting. Thermaltake made the original and now its made by a few different places now.

I've read some articles of those pads leaking the crystal compound outside, so I was hesitant to purchase one. If anyone that owns one can shed some light on this matter, that would be great.

 

I don't have a crystal compound pad but would think as long as you take care of it, it shouldn't leak. Throw it around alot or try to bend it at a sharp angle and it probably will...

I have a Targus Cooling Pad that uses fans. Perfect for my Dell but I haven't see any effect on my MacBook. I do something position the laptop where the crease by the monitor is right over the fans so maybe that would help a bit (need to actually see if that has an effect or not). The only reason I still have the pad on my desk is because it also works as a USB hub....

 

I've read about leaking as well, but have not experienced it. I'd imagine that it is rare as the manufacturer is going to get each and every one that leaks back, probably with an angry letter attached, not something that's good for business.

Who knows how people actually use it; some might fold it or just shove it into the bottom of a laptop bag and pile sharp or heavy stuff on top - who knows? When a friend fried her hard drive she swore that only "a few drops" of rain had hit the keyboard; when I took it apart for repair it was quite clear there had been at least a half inch of water inside!

Bottom line is I bet if you treat the pad well it'll treat you well in return.

 

I've used those pads before. They helped as much as sitting on a nice hard flat surface and not as much as elevating on a wire rack. Once the crystals liquefied and the surface became flat it HURT my temps. Helpful when putting on lap or soft surface for short periods. Otherwise a total waste.

 

"Total" waste? I don't know, all I can say is anecdotally when I use the pad my fans ramp up later, and don't run as high, until the pad is completely warm, which takes about 3 to 4 hours.

 

what about this one.

http://www.targus.com/UK/product_details.asp?sku=AWE41EU

 

What he means by total waste is; does the subtle drop in temperature affect the overall life of the MacBook Pro, and what difference that really makes? That itself is very questionable whether the lower temperatures really matter.