Need some comparison help on laptop coolers.

[TAF2000]

Hi there.

New laptop... of course means new goodies. 

I had a laptop cooling pad (the kind the laptop sits on), but gave it to hubby for his work, so I am looking for a cooling device for my new laptop.

I have the option of a laptop cooling pad with fans, or getting a PC slot card cooler (strange thing that sticks into the PC slot and blows cool air in (or out maybe?). 

Am hoping someone here may have an educated guess on which would be more effective at cooling.

Thanks All!

[TAF2000]

Hummmmmmm.....

Okay.....

What about any un-educated guesses?   

[Darwin]

I have used both passive and active cooling pads (ie I have one with, and one without, USB powered fans built into it). I'd be leary of the PDMCIA slot fan, somehow. Each notebook is different WRT its internal architecture - who knows what you'd wind up blowing/sucking air and dust across. Final comment is that I'd try a passive cooling pad first - the fans in a USB powered unit are LOUD (or at least they are in mine).

[TAF2000]

thanks.

I didn't think about the possible ill effects of the PDMCIA card fan blowing dust and such around where it shouldn't.

The fans in my old pad were pretty quiet.  Maybe you have a noisy one, or perhaps are just more sensitive to the noise.  I know I can't stand clocks, or even watches that 'tick'.

[Darwin]

You sound like my wife - I can't have a mechanical watch running ANYWHERE in our bedroom at night. Otherwise, she cannot sleep! I have to put the things to my ear to hear them...

[TAF2000]

Yup.  That is me.  Hubby had to give up his watch a long time ago.

The fans don't bother me though, though, like I said, the ones I had were really quiet.

[4wd]

Zalman Notebook Cooler - On/Off switch, speed control, USB cord storage, etc.

Aerodynamically designed so it'll fly further when you throw it out the window.......

What's not to like 

You sound like my wife - I can't have a mechanical watch running ANYWHERE in our bedroom at night. Otherwise, she cannot sleep! I have to put the things to my ear to hear them...

Wives are designed like that....it's so they can pick up the slightest sound of gossip............

[Darwin]

Nice notebook cooler  I like the admonition against sticking your fingers in functioning fans at the bottom of the page 

[mrainey]

When the internal fan on my Toshiba died, the diagnosis from the service center was "new motherboard - $500".  Instead, I used some Velcro to stick a Thermaltake USB fan to the bottom of the case.  It works great for cooling, but given that the fan sits between my legs when I'm using the computer, there are some unpleasant possibilities to think about if I'm not extra careful.  So far, so good. 

[TAF2000]

Zalman Notebook Cooler - On/Off switch, speed control, USB cord storage, etc.

Aerodynamically designed so it'll fly further when you throw it out the window.......

What's not to like 

Snazy!  Wonder where and how much.  Probably lots more than the $10 for a cheapie on Ebay, but I really like the idea of a speed control.

[4wd]

Snazy!  Wonder where and how much.  Probably lots more than the $10 for a cheapie on Ebay, but I really like the idea of a speed control.

Froogle is your friend¹, (yeah, I know it's now Google Products but Froogle sounded so much better).

There's a NC1000 that starts at $36 and the NC2000 starts at $51.

1. Unless you're paranoid or have no search skills 

[4wd]

ThermaTake iXoft - Just found this while looking for a CPU cooler.

No fans, uses a thermal transfer medium to spread heat over a bigger area for better cooling.

[TAF2000]

I just got these supper cute little travel cooling pads on ebay. For about $10 from RedTagTown

Here is what they look like (better pictures at another store):
Similar Seller


They are super cute, super tiny (you can fit 3 of them in the space of 1 normal on in your travel bag), and super cheap (depending on the seller you choose).

Also... Super Quiet, and put out quite a bit of air, too.

Definitly the way to go for travel, and I am using mine for all-the-time at home too.

[Stephen47]

Under normal circumstances, if the is such a thing, why would  a laptop overheat?

[Darwin]

Under normal circumstances, if the is such a thing, why would  a laptop overheat?

Mostly due to the vents being blocked by either clothing/bedding or by dust. Also, I find that if my CPU and harddrive are getting a good workout, my notebook heats up...

[TAF2000]

From what I read, laptops really arn't designed to handle heat like they should.  At very little load, my laptop stays cool, but with much any load and processes and drive use, it can really heat up.

Maybe I am just cynical, but I think the companies would rather make something that is going to run a little too hot and wear out faster so that they can sell you a new one sooner.

[Darwin]

Maybe I am just cynical, but I think the companies would rather make something that is going to run a little too hot and wear out faster so that they can sell you a new one sooner.

I don't think you're cynical. However, I think that in order to deal effectively with heat they'd have to install more expensive components/spend much more on R&D, so the cost to the consumer would go up. A lot. So, in terms of consumer perceptions, they're damned if they do, damned if they don't, but win either way! That is, if they spend the R&D $$ and install pricier parts, they can charge more BUT consumers will moan and complain about costs. If they don't bother, costs are down, consumers are happy with the supply of cheap notebooks BUT they moan about heat dissipation issues and short-lived notebooks... However, in a hypothetical world where ALL notebook manufacturers spend the same R&D $$ and install the same level-of-quality components, they collectively either make money selling new notebooks to repeat customers every 18 months OR they make money on higher purchase costs to consumers. Add in the fact that s/w, O/S's, and hardware keep advancing and there is a market for new equipment either way... Ramble, ramble, ramble  .

[TAF2000]

LOL... definitly see your point.

So I guess I will try to beat the system by buying a cheap laptop and taking really good care of it.