Targus PA248U Notebook Chill Pad Reviews

• Been using it for almost 6 months now

  
  By A1DZXB69PD7ZMS on 2005-05-31
  I picked this model out because of all the good reviews, and for the most part they're true. The unit does a decent job of cooling my 15" powerbook. I grabbed a Chill Pad (why does typing that make me think of a House Party movie?) for my girlfriend's 15" VAIO, but it still runs a bit warm (but then, the Pentum in there runs much hotter than my G4, so maybe the Chill Pad just can't keep up). Either way, I wish the units were a little wider. In a perfect world, I wish the fans weren't placed in the middle of the slab, but more towards the back, where a laptop's CPU & video chips are located. This thing is plastic, so it won't dissapate the heat as well as an aluminum one will.
  
  Originally I rated this puppy 4 stars. I'm taking it down to 3 now, because after some typical use over the past 6 months, both of our Chill Pads are pretty thrashed. The power cord on my girlfriend's unit is falling apart, mostly around the power switch box thingie (to use the technical term). As for mine, the screws holding the back together have cracked their casings, which were rattling around in my pad until I shook them out yesterday. So the back end of the unit no longer has a flush seam. Maybe some Krazy Glue will do the trick.
  
  I didn't drop kick this thing around, pretty standard use: brought it to the office almost daily. Used it at home as well. Took it overseas once. I'll give it 4 stars for cooling, but I'm taking 1 away for workmanship.
  
  

• Nice Cooling, Ridiculous List Price, Not very durable

  
  By A17BUUBOU0598B on 2007-08-29
  I have owned many a laptop and several notebook cooling pads. Cooling can potentially improve a computer's performance and useful life.
  
  This pad has decent performance. But, it is made from cheap plastic and has design short-comings. The product pictures, and price, make you think it is made from high grade plastic or metal. I feel for anybody who ever paid the list price of $30 for this product.
  
  Reading the reviews for this product, I realized that several key elements of this product's construction were not being mentioned.
  
  Pros
  - The fans do seem to push a decent amount of air, more than other pads
  - The rubber risers allow for better air-flow under your laptop
  
  Cons
  
  - This product is made from low grade plastic. It is flimsy under the weight of any standard laptop
  - The rubber risers which seperate this product from your laptop will come out; They are not glued in
  - The rubber feet on this pad will also come out
  - The fans inside can be very loud
  - The 2 fan heads are poorly positioned in the center of the pad
  - The usb cable is too long
  
  For the price there are simply better alternatives. The Antec notebook cooler has a more durable aluminum top, ergonomic shape, and more quiet design. The USB connector also has an extra port.
  Antec USB-Powered Notebook Cooler
  
  As long as you don't mind the defects, this can be a handy unit for a spare or travel needs. This cooler is still worth owning if you can buy it on sale for $11 or less. Don't pay more.
  
  Happy Shopping.
  
  
  

• The Cool, Quiet Type

  
  By A3EO01MD60DOMO on 2007-01-16
  With laptops, slim sells. Unfortunately, svelte form factors don't leave much room for onboard fans or air channels to draw heat away from today's powerful CPUs. Enter the Chill Pad, which does what tiny onboard fans can't do: Move 28 cubic feet of air per minute with twin 7-blade fans.
  
  This brute force approach to cooling keeps laps and laptops from getting uncomfortably hot, but also dissipates the heat that degrades a laptop's performance and useful life.
  
  The Chill Pad draws air under your laptop from all four sides (even the corners have air channels) and exhausts it from a slot running the length of the back of the unit. This design keeps the device slim and uses your laptop creen as an acoustic baffle. You can hear the fans as they spin at a leisurely and steady 1500 RPM, but it's hardly a DC-3 at takeoff effect.
  
  The Chill Pad has non-skid feet for use on a desktop, as well as two grippy nubs topside. If you have a thick brick of a laptop, the Chill Pad may raise the keyboard more than you'd like, but with most units the rise shouldn't be a hardship. Speaking of dimensions, the unit's 11.75" width may seem narrow for use on widebody laptops, such as those with 17" screens.
  
  A reality check about durability: As mentioned earlier, the fans move 28 cubic feet of air per minute. If those 28 cubic feet of air are filled with dust, grit, smoke, ash, and pollen, your unit's useful life may be less than if you are using it in, say, a clean room. Particulate matter matters. Also, the unit errs on the side of light weight, not impact resistance, so don't head-butt it, swat flies with it, or drop a stack of textbooks on it. Not that you would.
  
  The USB cable gets a one-star deduction for being too long (over four feet for a device meant to be coupled to its power source) and for having a cheap power switch. The parts bin giveth and the parts bin taketh away. Overall, recommended. And your lap will thank you.
  
  

• Solved my overheating problem

  
  By A2GBHZL855WFH3 on 2005-04-12
  After spending four months trying to get Dell's tech support people to simply acknowledge that the Inspiron 600m has a problem with overheating while playing hi-end 3-D graphics games, I took a gamble and bought the Targus PA248U Tornado Notebook Chill Pad. At first, it only helped to delay the problem -- the computer still overheated while playing games like "Warcraft III" or "Rise of Nations". The cooling fans on the chill pad were doing a good job of cooling the center of the notebook, but the back was still getting hot. I tried lifting the back on the notebook (by setting the backend of the notebook on two hi-lighters to lift it about 1/2 inch above the chill pad to improve the airflow) and that solved my problem.
  
  My notebook is a Dell Inspiron 600m with the following configuration:
  Pentium M 725 (1.6GHz, 2MB level 2 cache)
  512MB DDR SDRAM (1 Dimm)
  ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 w/ 64MB
  
  When playing 3-D graphics games, the computer (especially the memory chip) would get very hot and the frame rate while playing the games would drop 95% (in one game, dropping from 60fps to 1-3fps). The computer never crashed, but it made game playing impossible. The Inspiron 600m is a thin notebook (1.29" thick), so it probably doesn't allow enough airflow to adequately cool off the components when pushed to their limit by a 3-D graphics game. Thank heavens companies like Targus are making products to address this issue.
  
  Just as a note to Dell users, I talked to about a dozen different Dell tech support people over a four month period and no one would even admit to having heard about this problem. Apparently Dell has a policy of never admitting that a problem exists.
  
  

• Does not seem to cool down my laptop

  
  By A5JLAU2ARJ0BO on 2003-06-02
  I bought the Coolpad after reading the positive reviews here on Amazon.com, but am quite disappointed. My Fujitsu has vents both at the bottom and in the rear, so it doesn't overheat, but can get quite hot when I edit digital videos (a CPU- and hard drive-intense task). I bought the Coolpad hoping it would help cool down the laptop so the laptop's internal fan wouldn't have to work too hard.

  To my disappointment there does not seem to be any cooling improvement whatsoever. If your laptop has vents only at the bottom and has no rubber feet, then this may help. Again, it's a strong "may" or "might," as in "perhaps," as acknowledged on the packaging. I suspect the Coolpad doesn't elevate the laptop high enough for the convection principle to work in reality.

  On the plus side, the Coolpad does insulate your laptop from the desk surface, thus preserving your desktop as well as prevening spilled coffee from soaking up the bottom of your laptop computer. The upper metal plate also rotates, which is nice for showing others the screen or when you use the laptop while watching TV.

  But, the Coolpad doesn't do its main job right, hence it's useless. If you want something that can really cool your laptop, look for a cheap product called "Bytecc Notebook Cooler" which has two built-in fans.
  
  

• What a difference!
  By A3F5JV08JUY06C on 2004-11-12
  I was having trouble with my Toshiba P15-S479 overheating during the use of some CD based software. The computer would just shut off! I got this CoolPad and not only does the computer not shut down, it is cool to the touch all the time. I am sure that this will extend the life of my laptop. A small price to pay for my investment!
  
  
• A must for any iBook/Powerbook owner
  By A6KGM9T0X1UBX on 2004-10-30
  As far as ergonomics go, there is no better addition to your laptop than the Podium Coolpad. It is great for putting the laptop at a much better angle for both your wrists and your neck. In addition, the more powerful a processor the laptop has, the hotter it runs. The 1GHz G3 iBooks and the G3 Powerbooks run really hot really quickly. Processors this fast actually run too hot to effectively air cool, and if the laptop is flat on a surface it will overheat and damage the computer, even if the fan is running. Since you can fit a liquid cooled processor in a laptop, the next best solution is to use something like the Podium Coolpad, which will leave room for the laptop to breathe underneath.
  
  
• Sometimes SIMPLE is BETTER
  By A2V7EO331SFUF6 on 2005-11-11
  Some of the reviews are misplaced here; this is not a powered "cooling pad." No fans, no USB, no fancy tricks. This is Targus' simplest pad, two plastic plates that swivel, one with rubber feet to remain stable and solid on your flat surface, the other with rubber supports for laptop. The result: a space for the bottom of your laptop to "breathe," and tilting your keyboard to a more comfortable, ergonomic angle. Oh, did I mention that it's manufactured pretty tough? Very rugged. Very simple to use, no instruction manual needed. And what I like best about this, more than the ergonomic benefit, is that this is so small, you'll find room for in it in your laptop bag. Traveler, indeed. This economical little tool goes with you even when the adapter doesn't. Trust me. Try it.
  
  
• A Notebook Lifesaver
  By A33ZQQNFQCW1A0 on 2004-06-22
  Its a rare day when Im willing to give something 5 stars. Today is one of 'em.
  
  I have an Emachines laptop with a 15.4" widescreen and plenty of processing power. Meaning my laptop is about as wide as they come, and runs about as hot.
  
  Summer just came round my neck of the woods, and in my hot little house, my hot little laptop couldnt hack it. I had it on a table, and by mid afternoon, it shut down. And wouldnt restart. The top was hot to the touch, and the bottom just as bad. So I got one of these Targus Chill Mats, figuring a couple little fans would help a bit.
  
  They did more than help. Im convinced they saved the life of my laptop. My once hot-enough-to-fry-a-pie harddrive now tops out at a reasonable warm. Id say the air under my machine went from 95 to 60. Its not cool enough to refresh a beer, but its more than cool enough to allow my machine to stay on and operational all day.
  
  At 11 3/4" by 9" its smaller than my laptop, but the feet on my machine still fit on it just fine. As I wouldnt expect Targus to make these in 3 sizes I think they chose a good route. Slightly smaller means itll fit nicely under any laptop, is more likely to fit in accessory pockets in bags (its only 1/2" thick), and leaves more room for the airflow you obviously need. So I cant fault it there.
  
  Between my machines feet and the little rubber bumpers on the Mat, my machine is stable on it, and its stable on its own feet. I cant tell the difference between typing on it, or on a table. Despite the slightly smaller size.
  
  Only having one little cable (which I keep bundled and twist-tied to the shortest length possible) running between the two is totally unobtrusive and easy to deal with. And dont even think about the sound. I honestly didnt even realise it was on at first.
  
  The best $30 Ive spent on my computer in a long time. And spending that now sure saves the cost of replacing burnt out parts.
  
  
  That was all written over two years ago. Here's an update:
  
  After near constant use, my Targus died. It starting making lots of noise. And after careful deconstruction and dedusting, it was still noisy. So I replaced it [...].
  
  
• Don't be fooled by Amazon saying more people buy this product implying its better
  By A1LI1VSDR2L4XL on 2006-08-23
  I happen to own a Mac Book Pro which runs pretty hot. I saw this on Amazon and read the reviews along with all of the other cool pads for laptops and wound up deciding on this one largly because of the lack of negative reviews and Amazon said most people buy this cool pad. Let me detail for you why this is a horrible purchase, $20 or otherwise.
  
  First off it really wasnt clear from the description or pictures but this chill pad is plastic. It disperses little to no heat, where as propping the back of my laptop up with a book did better. I was hoping for a metal that would act like a heat sink (is that not the purpose of a cool pad?)
  
  The laptop is far to close to the actual chill pad so there is little to no air flow and since the piece is plastic you will have to keep the fan on for any effect. (Unlike Antec or NotePal coolers)
  
  The usb wire is long and for some reason has an on off switch on it. Why you would plug in the usb cord yet keep it the fan off is beyond me... just an annoyance, no real issue with performance.
  
  I am a programmer so I already spend a long time at the keyboard. This cool pad raises your laptop up higher then its competitors as listed on Amazon virtually breaking your wrists to type on it. However if you dream of altering your desk and chair and possibly buying a bunch of other garbage to raise your wrists for typing this may not be an issue.
  
  My last gripe is how cheaply made this product is. Being plastic with little to no design, it is an eye sore and you may just break it or the fan by using it.
  
  Overall using this is a far worse experience then just using the laptop hot as it only reduces the temperature by three degrees. I guess I was looking for something that was a little more comfortable and practical to work on. As well as effective. If you buy this, you will be underwhelmed.
  
  
• Does NOT work
  By A5JLAU2ARJ0BO on 2003-06-04
  The PodiumPad by Road Tools (rebranded as Targus) is the big sibling of Coolpad. Basically it just has adjustable rubber balls as opposed to fixed ones on the Coolpad. Neither one works at all when it comes down to cooling down your laptop computer. It's also very inconvenient to type on the laptop when placed on the Podiumpad, and adjusting the height of the rubber thingies is a pain. Do not waste your money. Search for a product called Bytecc Notebook Cooler ...which is cheaper and has built-in fans which actually cool down your computer.
  
  
• Targus Chill Pad -- functional, but NOT durable
  By A3LLQLBP2VFD4I on 2006-01-18
  (It seems the portable lap desk and chill pad reviews are being mixed together -- this review refers to the chill pad.)
  
  This chill pad seemed great at first: it fit nicely under my 12" display laptop (may not be adequate for very large notebooks), ran quietly, and kept the otherwise blazing-hot notebook running. I did use it constantly, but only around the house, so it sustained no additional wear from being carried around. Problem is, the thing only lasted 8-9 months, with full funtionality for only half of that. Fan power drastically decreased over time, with one fan hardly spinning at all by the end. The construction quality is just not very high.
  
  Bottom line: there are MUCH better notebook coolers available, and you'll earn back the extra money when they don't fall apart. I recommend the Antec cooler I replaced this with -- unlike the chill pad, it features a metal surface to conduct heat, removable plug-through USB cord, cord storage on back of unit, two fan speeds, automatic shut-down when the computer is off, and moves so much air you might get chilly yourself just holding it. I know I sound like a salesperson, but I'm just so happy with the Antec over this Targus product that I want to save others the wasted time and effort in trying it.
  
  
• Not suitable for 15" Widescreen Laptops such as the Apple Powerbook/Macbook Pro
  By AQXS8G7G6OMAT on 2006-07-09
  I think there's an error with Amazon confusing reviews of the Targus Chill Pad/Mat with the Coolpad. Therefore, this review is specifically for the CHILL PAD aka CHILL MAT.
  
  I've had the CHILL PAD for a week now and it performs exactly as described. It has definitely reduced the heat that my Powerbook G4 releases by at least 10*F (estimation). Usually, I would just put my laptop on top of my pillow and then put them both over my lap because the heat is too unbearable for my legs. I know that is dangerous, but I didn't have a Chill Pad until a week ago. (PLEASE DON'T DO THIS AT HOME EITHER)
  
  The Chill Pad comes in an aluminum colored, textured plastic. In other words, the pad is not smooth. The fans are placed on the top of the cooler in the middle so it doesn't really get in the way of my Powerbook G4's fans, which are on the sides. There's an on/off switch attached to the USB/Power adapter cord. The cord is short, so there isn't an extra long and annoying cord that you'd have to carry around. The Pad isn't too thick either. It is as thick as my laptop - about an inch in height.
  
  Personally, I would like the Targus Chill Pad much better if there were a sign on the package that said "THIS CHILL PAD IS ONLY SUITABLE FOR 12" NOTEBOOKS; OTHERWISE, IT IS TOO SMALL FOR 15" NOTEBOOKS ESP. WITH WIDESCREEN". In addition, there's this warning smallprint that says "This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling." Okay so knowing that most laptop owners are usually on the go, why would you make a cooling Chill Pad that had dangerous chemicals including lead in it? Even though this Chill Pad has amazing potentials, there are plenty of NON-CARCINOGENIC notebook coolers out there that can perform just as well with a longer width. As a result, I'm returning my Chill Pad today.
  
  
• WARNING: DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT!
  By A3H5HNDVLNBZZY on 2005-06-07
  I am a long time very satisified Amazon.com customer. I recently purchased this Chill Mat manufactured by Targus. After owning it for approximately 3 weeks I noticed permanent black stains on my dining room table and coffee table where I regularly use the chill mat. The stains are a result of the little black rubber feet on the bottom of the mat.
  
  My furninture is permanently damaged from using this product, and I just felt the need to warn others that may be considering purchasing it.
  
  
  
  
• Wonderful!
  By A1IF72MYMLYZTM on 2004-11-19
  I bought this the other day, because I was concerned about how hot my laptop was getting, particularly during long sessions. With the exhaust fan on the bottom, there really was not good air circulation.
  
  I was delighted by how well this worked. My computer went from being noticeably warm, hot underneath, after about 20 minutes of use, to being _cold_ after even after several hours of use.
  
  This is a flat plastic box, with two small fans, which runs plugs into your laptop's USB port for power. The fans are completely silent. It is easy enough to carry around - it fits in my computer bag, lying under right alongside the computer.
  
  One note - this is almost the exact size and shape of the footprint of my relatively small Averatec laptop. It may not be large enough to support a larger laptop as comfortably, although the cooling properties should still work fine.
  
  Note: I'm talking about the Targus Tornado Notebook Chill Pad. Amazon seems to be linking this review with other cooling devices, which I'm not familiar with. Some seem to simply lift your laptop off of the table to allow better air circulation, this one actually has fans, to really cool things down.
  
  
• cupcake or muffin pan
  By A1WMCQDH3GYT4N on 2006-07-05
  our inspirion 8200 notebook kept getting so hot when i was using it while sitting it on my lap..."laptop" anyway it would get so hot at times it would leave burns on my leg in desparation to help..my husband gave me a cupcake/muffin baking pan i simply turned it over and placed the computer on it. Wha-la our laptop stays much cooler and no longer shuts down and we didn't have to spend any money. Just a little good ole fashion ingenuity!!
  
  
• Does not cool anything down..
  By on 2004-02-29
  I baught this to try on my friend's Dell Inspiron 8600 notbook. It did not help at all. Using books to lift up the back end of the notebook gave the same effect at no cost. The notebook barely fits on the device and may be the reason that the device did not work. May be this will work with small notebook... If you have a big 15" or up notbook, look for somthing else.
  
  
• A cool device
  By A17BT73RVRQYSP on 2005-09-21
  The design of a laptop makes it more vulnerable to heat than a regular system. A simple way to counteract it is with a cooling pad. I use the TARGUS PA248U Tornado Notebook Chill Pad
  
  It is a simple solution. The pad plugs into the usb and draws the power to run the fans to cool the system. This is a smart investment.
  
  Be wary of the cord, it is not strong and having my kids move the system got it broken pretty quickly. Also watch out when putting weight on the laptop when it is not docked, it can cause the fans to be hit by the plastic.
  
  All in all it's a worthwhile device.
  
  
• 4 stars.....Works well but not sure about how effective it is
  By A35IX2GE0VC0JP on 2005-10-16
  Let me start by saying that I have the Targus USB chillpad with a powered 4 port hub built into the chillpad. This seems to be slightly different than the product described here but the basics are exactly the same (with exception of the USB hub built into mine).
  
  That said, I have been using the Targus chillpad for about a year now and I must say that it works really well but unfortunatley I cannot vouch for its effectiveness in keeping my laptop cool. I use a program called Everest to monitor the temperature of my latop and there is really no difference between the temperature with the chillpad on or the chillpad off. The laptop is noticeably cooler to touch on the underside but the fans still kick on all the time and the temperature readings are still the same. I give this 4 stars because the product is well designed and works well but because there is no measurable difference in internal temperature I cannot give it 5 stars. It might work better for you if you constantly use your laptop on a bed or similar surface or if you actually use it on your lap.
  
  *** Plus points of the chillpad include: ****
  
  - very quiet fans that move out air to the back
  - a handy on/off switch so you can turn it off without unplugging it from your USB
  - very nicely located USB ports that can be powered with the included ac wall plug (useful for high power usb devices).
  
  
  **** Negative points include: ***
  
  - slightly small size that may not work effectively for larger laptops
  - fans do not turn off with the laptop if you leave the ac adapter plugged in (although this won't be an issue for the non USB hub model)
  - you have to be careful about positioning your laptop if you have fans underneath so that the chillpad's fans do not interfere with the laptop's fans
  - the ac adapter seems a little on the cheap side
  
  
• didn't cool enough
  By A1RVLKZ8A642Q6 on 2006-03-19
  I liked the chillmat, but it doesn't blow air onto the bottom of the laptop, but it sucks air, and blows it out the back of the chillmat, and i guess, for some computers, it's okay. Mine wasn't much cooler to the touch than w/out it. I guess since mine tends to get hot on the lower left, where my palm rests, it wasn't as nice as I would have wanted for the money. I ended up buying another cooler from Vantec (lapcool2) which actually blows air onto the bottom instead of drawing air. It did a better job. I still have the targus chill pad, but won't use it unless the vantec breaks down. So in my opinion for my AMD Turion 64 laptop, I'd prefer the Vantec over the Targus.
  
  
• Quit working
  By A2XUG3O61RBUKQ on 2006-05-03
  I bought my laptop and decided to buy the chill mat to keep my laptop cool. For some reason it has quit working after only a couple of months. I will not buy another one.
  
  
• my macbook loves it -oh, and so do I
  By AGV8EKMALZ5EC on 2006-09-08
  Cut to the chase and skip all the rest- A lovely multitasking convience product.
  I have a 15 macbook pro and my lap was taking a lot of heat. Not to mention the funny angels you can get yourself into while reclining on your porch can be at best awkward for tying. The Coolpad has these simple lego style pieces that you build onto on another to raise your laptop in 1/2 inch increments up to 1 3/4 inches. (If you build fewer than 4 posts you can build it much higher but have fewer contacts touching you laptop) It seemed a bit silly all these lego pieces floating about, but after using them, I love it. It's so easy to adjust, so when you are at a table vs when you are lying on your belly you can have the height you desire. I hinted at it but let me say it clear- Yes, the Coolpad lets you use your laptop on a bed.
  One last bonus for those of you living with children or someone prone to spilling drinks- your $$$$ piece of equipment is raisied off the surface it's on. That in itself is worth it to me!
  The turntable feature is aslo a win. I was afraid it would lull about freely, but you have to exert a little (just enough) to turn it. I didn't think I need this ability at first but find everytime I want to show someone my screen I intuitvly use it. Whenever I begin to take this feature for granted I see someone else picking up their laptop to turn it and as they jarringly set their laptop down I cringe and appreciate my Coolpad for the nice piece of hard drive protection it is.
  As for the airflow cooling aspect, well, I beat my mac with high processor programs, and yes the fan still kicks on, but I feel better knowing it has an easier time cooling off. There is no worry about the fans being blocked or struggling for air so to speak.
  So,
  * all ports are free
  * laptop is at your desired typing angle
  * you can turn your laptop about 360
  * guaranteed an air buffer no matter where you set down
  * liquid spill protection
  * non slip rubber feet really hold laptop in place (I mean secure!)
  I looked at every kind of portable stand for a week and finally, wearily, bought the Coolpad. I would buy it again in an instant, and will purchase several at Christmas time for all those I know who have admired, lusted and "borrowed" my Coolpad.
  
  
• For well-ventilated environments
  By on 2003-11-14
  The Targus Traveler Coolpad (PA239U) consists of two small and thin plastic (not metal) slabs - a base and a swiveling platform upon which the notebook computer is placed. The swiveling platform has two rubber dome risers by the back edge that lifts the notebook at a slightly inclined angle, and four rubber feet by the front edge to keep the notebook from sliding. The raised positioning gives notebooks with ventilation fans aimed at the bottom somewhat more room to breathe.

  My experience with the Traveler Coolpad is that it noticeably reduces heat transference from my notebook to my work surfaces. This presumably results from the increased air volume between the notebook and work surface, but may also be because the Coolpad acts as a sort of heat shield between the notebook and work surface - kind of like an expensive drink coaster. Thus, although the bottom of my notebook seems just as hot as before, my desk feels appreciably less like a hot stove top and more like a desk, albeit a slightly heated desk.

  Prospective buyers should consider their usage habits and environments before deciding on a purchase. Mobile users may find the Traveler Coolpad preferable if only for its small size (10.25" x 6.75" x 0.75") and portability. Those who work primarily in well air-conditioned and ventilated environments would also do well with a Traveler Coolpad. Users who tend to work primarily in poorly ventilated or stationary environments should consider notebook coolers that make use of forced convection (e.g., powered fans, like the Asus Notebook Cooler) or other technologies (e.g., heat pipes, like the Nexus TDD-3000). These other notebook coolers may provide superior cooling, but are heavier, bulkier, and less suited for mobile computing - where every inch, ounce, and watt may matter.

  ...for what is essentially a few pieces of plastic, the Traveler Coolpad seems expensive. But the price is in line with other notebook cooling products, and the Coolpad does have some benefit, especially for your furniture.
  
  

• Coool Chill Mat for my Sony VAIO TR3A!
  By A18JOEZ6MC9HG5 on 2004-06-28
  I LOVE my Targus Notebook Chill Mat! The silver color blends perfectly with it, and it is very lightweight & portatble, and ultra quiet. Perfect for small notebook owners. I was amazed at how cool it actually keeps my VAIO. When I first got my notebook, it was running really hot and my dining table was getting hot too. Now I have a place to put my notebook on to protect my work surfaces and more importantly, keep the notebook cool!
  
  
• Keeps it cool
  By A2463PA2ESA1O1 on 2004-09-23
  This is a great buy, I got this because my laptop kept getting to hot for my tastes. Especially when I was doing large projects that required a lot of processing power. I have a 15" laptop and was kind of worried about the size of this thing (its pretty small). But I tried it out and it fits perfect. I was kind of hoping that it'd come with an extra usb port so you wouldn't lose the one you're using, but it doesn't.
  
  Setup is easy, just plug in, put it under the laptop and you're finished. It keeps the laptop cool (by cooling the underside where all the heat accumulates) and now my computer handles a lot better. Its very soft too, you can't hear this thing at all.
  
  I liked this and would definately recommend to those who are having problems with laptop heat.
  
  
• $25 investment for a $1500 notebook
  By A1ER7YTUMC99RT on 2004-10-22
  You do the math. This is my third notebook and first cool pad. This item does the job it's meant to do. I had trouble with my notebook turning off and this thing has helped better my notebook's performance and life. I just got this today and I notice a complete difference. The keyboard is cool and not hot. I'm a writer so a lot of my time is spent typing away. I would definately recomend this product to anyone looking to take care of their notebook. It only cost $25 on Amazon and it does the job it says it does. Yeah, it may not fit on the bottom of my notebook like I thought it would but it's not like its that absurd to look at and it's not like my notebook is teetering. Although it may not be aesthetically pleasing to some it's overall value exceeds it's looks. Trust me it didn't look that great in my eye but I'm not happy when my comuter shuts off from overheating. Like I said a $25 purchase to protect a $1500 product makes sense if you can't afford a new computer everytimetime your computer breaks down.
  
  
• A little expensive, and could be bigger, but really useful
  By A4VWIYPNDXKFR on 2005-02-07
  I have a rather big Toshiba notebook (15.4' screen), so it is about 2.5 inches longer than the pad. However, it is still pretty stable on it, and it's a lot better than using just some board to keep the computer in my lap (both for my leg and the laptop, which can get pretty hot in some portions on its bottom).
  Also, 25-30 $ seems a bit pricey (but not by too much) for a plastic pad with two small fans in it (it's not that hi-tech or innovative, after all). Still, it's definitely worth it, since I've seen crappy, no-name pads on sale for $ 15 or more.
  Bottom line, if you don't keep your notebook in your lap or it doesn't get that hot, there are more useful laptop accessories you could get for this money. Otherwise, it's a must.
  
  
• This thing is Hot! (In a cool way)
  By A2P7T94KQGQVZC on 2005-02-15
  If you own a mac laptop and looking for something to keep your machine cool when it's on the desk, while making it easier on your wrists, the look no further.
  I was looking long and hard for a simple yet elegant device to just keep my laptop cool (as in not warm). I really didn't care about ergonomics as much since the stand I was already using was so bad that anything could be an improvement. Here's what makes this device a standout:
  
  1) The most important thing about this device is that it keeps the underside of your machine cool by not having any part of it touch your machine and allowing plenty of air to flow underneath. And it does it in style. This device perfectly matches the ibook colouring and blends well w/ a powerbook.
  
  2) Simple device which just consists of a platform with stackable "lego" like stands that have rubber tips to keep your machine stable. It's light and can easily be packed away. It keeps your machine right where it is-no slipping.
  
  now for the whammy (this is what totally bought me on this device)
  
  3) it has this swivel feature that allows you to turn your machine around 360 degrees without lifting it. It seems like not a big deal but they do it so well that you will find much use. It's not loose to turn and in fact resists in such a way that you will not accidentally move it. I originally wasnt looking for this feature but considering all the other things (and the fact that it is so bloody cheap compared to all the other brands) I consider this a bargain. Some people will like the travel version but I dont know anything about that.
  All and all this machine is definitly 5 stars. Don't consider anything else. Buy this. You wont be sorry.
  
  
• Nothing wrong here
  By A3BGU6QDJT9M9S on 2005-04-21
  I bought this item under great suspicion. My laptop is a Dell inspiron 5100 and it's cooling system is a piece of garbage. I have already had to send my system in once, but now that it is out of warranty, I am looking for a new solution to my new trashy cooling system. This product helped dramatically. My computer is much cooler, the fan does not go on for nearly as long or as loud, and this product does not affect the useability at all. I would highly recommend this item.
  
  
• Targus Chill Pad is really disappointing
  By A2IXY5F8H9AJFI on 2005-05-11
  I bought this to use at home with my powerbook. I use an Antec cooling pad at my office which works very well. This cooling pad is really disappointing. The fans barely move and my powerbook's fan still has to come on to supplement. I bought this one to save 5 bucks. I should have just paid 5 bucks more for another Antec cooling pad. Don't waste your money on this one.
  
  

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