Super Cool(er)
Written: Jun 10 '07 (Updated Jun 16 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very quiet,does what its supposed to do.
Cons: Bulky,lacks power options, is a little undersized for larger laptops
The Bottom Line: A well-made product that is well worth the money.
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| djtheory's Full Review: Antec NoteBook Cooler 75004 |
My Targus Tornado Laptop Cooler bit the dust after about three months, a development that was not too surprising given the shoddy construction of that device. That left me back at square one with a laptop that gets hot quickly and no way to cool it. This time I went to Circuit City where I found the Antec Notebook Cooler.
The Antec Notebook Cooler is a bow-tie shaped device that contains two high-speed fans to draw heat away from your laptop. The fans are made with double ball bearings which aids in their quiet operation.
The top of the cooler is made from brushed aluminum. This design feature also helps to draw heat away from the computer. There are a number of large holes in the aluminum surface, however only the ones above fans are actually functional.
The Antec sits on four large rubberized feet which help provide grip on slippery surfaces. It stands just under an inch tall. This height creates space beneath the cooler that allows it to exhaust hot air out of the back. Because I have a seventeen inch laptop it doesn't quite fit perfectly on top off the Antec , though smaller laptops would be fine. To compensate for this I got a laptop stand which lifts the back up a bit and also helps to create more airflow beneath the computer.
The Antec draws its power through your computer via a USB connector. It has a pass-through feature so you do not lose use of the port. There are two speeds, high and low, and the cooler is very quiet at either setting, though it is clearly more noticeable on high. There is a bright blue power light so you will always know when it is on.
One problem for people looking for a easily transportable cooler is the size of the Antec. It is rather thick at .85 inches and weighs 1.6 pounds so it may be better suited for home use. It is somewhat awkward to have on your lap as well but is excellent on a desktop or table. The Targus cooler had two rubber feet on the top that lifted the computer up, about the only thing they got right. Antec should consider adopting this design feature. A small bag to put the power cord in would be welcome as well. Alternative power options such as a wall plug or batteries would also be useful.I would also like to see a larger option for bigger laptops.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with the Antec Notebook Cooler. It has run for three months with nary a squeak nor a rattle. It is very quiet and does a top-notch job of keeping my laptop cool. As an added bonus it carries a three-year parts and labor limited warranty, which the company describes as "unbeatable". I'm inclined to agree. At $39.95 it is well-made and well worth the money. Highly recommended.
Specifications (taken from Antec box)
Size: 13" x 11.5" x .85"
Net Weight: 1.6 pounds/720 grams
USB Power Cable Length: 30"/76.2cm
Voltage: 5v DC
Current: 0.45 A
Power Consumption: 2 watts
Fans: 2 x 80 mm
Fan Speed: 1350/1800 RPM(avg)
Airflow: 8.5/13 cubic feet per minute
Acoustic Noise: 23/27 dBA
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
djtheory
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Member: Greg
Location: Washington D.C.
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 16 members
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