A laptop's meant to go on your lap, right? Well, not when it's hot enough to burn your legs. That's where laptop stands come in, and it's a growing market. The latest one to land on my desk (lap?) is the Swiss Gear Notebook Cooler. Available in black and pink, the Notebook Cooler not only acts as a platform for you laptop, but it also has two integrated fans to help keep your machine from overheating.
Intrigued by this premise, I decided to take the cooler for a spin. My notebook is a 12-inch widescreen--the Dell Inspiron 700m, but the cooler accommodates up to 17-inch models. Out of the box, the cooler comes in a compact case--you just slide out the drawer to reveal the two fans and place your laptop on top. Compatibile with PCs and Macs, the cooler is powered by USB and I found the included cord was more than long enough. On the bottom of the cooler is a cord keeper where you can stow away the USB cable when it's not in use.
What I like is that the cooler is not obtrusive at all--it barely takes up any extra room and it can be easily stowed in your laptop case. Its fans are also super quiet--I couldn't even tell they were on, in fact. Conveniently, the on/off switch is located on the cord within easy reach. And since it's USB-powered there's no need to worry about replacing or recharging batteries. I didn't notice any slowdown in my laptop's performance, and the cooler did seem to keep the machine relatively cool indeed. (In my subjective testing.)
The Swiss Gear Notebook Cooler will be available in early 2008 for $34.99 (black) and $39.99 (pink). I can't say I'd pay extra for the pink model, although it has a nice matte finish. While it's something I never thought I needed before, I like its multi-functionality. The cooler is not yet listed on the site, but you can see their other gear here.
Oh, and yes, this is the same company that makes the Swiss Army Knife.
Swiss Gear Notebook Cooler--Closed
With my laptop
Close-up with laptop
The switch, very close up.
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October 29, 2007 10:54 AM
I have bought many laptop coolers and they help a little but not enough to be worth it. I have used one's that blow air up and suck air down "the majority". the switch you showed close up looks simular to one i had on one i bought the switch casing lasted less then a month before it broke.
October 30, 2007 9:45 PM
I have built a laptop stand that cost $12.00 US and provides a passice cooling option for a laptop and it also provides a convenient angle to type at therefore reducing wrist strain. If you are interested in seeing a model just e-mail me
Ciao
Maxx
October 31, 2007 4:16 PM
Why do you need a switch anyways? Plug it in when you use it! I can't think of a time that'll I'll want to have this product out, but not on.
November 1, 2007 4:26 PM
The fold up feature is neat, but how about some real details like CFM & noise level?
For about $17 more check out the Targus Notebook Cooling "Chill Hub". I truly dislike marketing guys, there is nothing "Chill" about this device, but it has really good specs.
The Targus features 36 CFM with a noise level
Will someone PLEASE build a REAL notebook chilling unit?!? I mean like with an integrated refrigerant capability, not just an air circulator.
I would be very willing to pay up to $150 for a REAL notebook chiller system. My laptop is my business, and keeping that computer as truly cool as possible is worth a good amount of money to me.
If anyone knows of such a system, PLEASE drop me a line.
March 23, 2009 6:01 PM
I bought a black one a dirt cheap for $10 but I deffinately would not have paid full price for it ... it barely helps and the fans barely blow in it. It works and I can feel the air coming from them when I put my hands over the fan... but not enough to cool my laptop needless to say I have a a regular plug in fan blowing on it to keep it cool b/c thats about the only thing that wokrs!