USB Powered and Most Efficient Metal Cooler Pad with 3 Built-in Fans for Laptop Computer Reviews

• A "Cool" Little Device

  
  By A1EZL8YC91Z631 on 2007-04-04
  Update: Well, I've had this over a year now and it's been running 24/7. One of the fans gets a little erratic and there's more vibration than at first. I could probably stand to clean it more often than I do, but honestly, considering all the abuse I put it through and how well it still continues to run, it is an awesome little machine. I highly recommend it.
  
  After being disappointed with the Antec (terrible output) and Targus (flimsy and falls apart after two weeks) cooling pads, I was feeling like I was taking a chance on yet another cooling mat. The two reviews here seemed to like it, but those were the only reviews I found. But I must say so far I'm pleased with this one.
  
  The output is strong and I like that it has a third center fan (that's where most of the heat comes out of my laptop). The frame is designed for a lot of ventilation, something the Targus and Antec failed miserably at. The USB power cord isn't removable, so if that ever gets damaged, most people will have to replace the whole unit. It's a bit short, but at least not as short as the Antec's cord.
  
  It has a couple of weaknesses that also double as strengths, which is kind of odd. I wish it had a closed back so I can use it on my lap better (though a book works fine) and the power cables running to the fans could easily be cut in my current home office setup. It's not as easy to slip into a computer case as closed-back pads are, mostly for the risk of breaking the wires.
  
  However, the advantage to an open-backed system is it would be easy to repair if any of the fans were damaged. This cooling pad is nothing more than three standard computer fans and a switch on a specialized aluminum frame (I bet all the money went into the frame). Anyone with even a marginal skill at household repair would be able to easily replace the fans or switch. They're just screwed into the frame. The frame itself is really the true innovation and even without the fans would be a great pad for a laptop with the abundance of air circulation it promotes. The frame is also very sturdy and would take a lot of effort to destroy past usability.
  
  Overall I'd have to give this a four. It's the USB cord that really knocks a star down. I can't see how it's connected to the fans (there's a protective sheath over it) and I'm not about to take it apart until I need to, but I don't like that the cord can't be unplugged from the cooling unit. It has potential for the fans and wires to be damaged, but it really depends on where you use it. My situation is more chaotic than most and someone using it just on a desk or other flat surface will probably have no trouble at all. And since it's assemblage means very easy repair, I can't count the open back as a disadvantage.
  
  If this lasts longer than the Targus (ha!) and continues to have strong fan output, I'll consider it a definite success.
  
  

• Excellent cooling fan.....except for...

  
  By A3CI35UXBMCE43 on 2007-04-17
  This is a very well made cooling fan for your laptop. However, if you have a 15.4" screen your laptop will hang off of it about an inch on both sides, 17" is about an inch and a half on both sides. Is that a problem? No, not really. You want air circulation underneath to cool. The 3 fans are great. Most cooling boards have only 2. An earlier reviewer said he didnt like it because the back was "open". Well that reduces the weight and increases air circulation. It is well designed in my opinion. The on/off switch is nice. It will only work of course if the laptop is running. You will never forget to turn it off. It runs amazingly quiet. You cant hear it but you can feel it. It is really meant to keep the battery cool and help the heatsink fan. A cooler working battery will last longer. It has a good angle to work. I really havent found anything wrong with it. I highly recommend this item, however, if I was to make a suggestion to improve it, it would be to add a couple of usb ports to it.
  
  

• I'm happy, and i'm the 5th review of this product.

  
  By AQMDSQNGGLM30 on 2007-05-08
  (Original Reveiew - May 2007)
  OK, i read all kinds of reviews about these cooling fans. I have a Dell Inspiron 9300 (17" ultrawidescreen) so I knew already this wouldn't fit like a glove. But ever since I upgraded my hard drive and memory, the machine runs really, and I mean REALLY hot. Also, because my memory is located at the underside dead center, I needed a fan to be positioned right there to help in protecting my $300 of RAM. This product did it. My memory temperature is, still warm, but not HOT. I also bought this because of the form factor. Since it is on a pretty durable aluminum painted stand, it is pretty steady, and the open back, oh well, that's the way it is made, and for a good reason, better airflow (the fans have cage protectors). But really, when I toiled over all the other models I read about and then saw this one, I couldn't help but think... 'and if one of the fans burn out, I can just unscrew it and add a new one'. That was the main selling point for me, next to durability. This way I can take this somewhat pricey (cause there's nothing to it) but efficient unit and repair it if needed. My goal was to cool my laptop on my desk, not win the 'red carpet' award for fashion. Again, under my giant Dell 17 wide-body notebook, I can't even see it. As far as noise level, cause everyone likes to talk about it... It sounds like your laptop fan when it is starting to push the heat out under tremendous load. I mean, you got 3 fans under there, they are going to make some noise, but trust me it is bearable and not annoying.
  
  So, as reviewer #5 at Brilliant Store's site for this Aluminum Cooler Pad with 3 Built-In Fans, I give it a 4 out of 5. The only reason for the 4 is because the Chinese manufacturer really could have spent another $1 by putting a back cover on this thing with very little effort, and the cost to you and me would probably still be the same. They probably could have saved money on the fan finger protectors and put it into a single piece of aluminum with lots of holes. But I'm happy.
  
  I hope this information helps.
  
  Flash Forward to JANUARY 2008......
  The unit is still working perfectly. My computer is so happy when it is attached. When it is not, it gets hot, really hot! Hope that update helps.
  
  
  

• Does what it says

  
  By A2G1KKN9Y53TH9 on 2007-05-19
  My favorite part about this unit is that because it is slanted it is much easier to type. Perhaps it is the way my desk is set up but it makes a big difference. Also, I have a Sony Vaio and the cpu is at the top right corner (right where one of the fans is). Before I got this unit, it would blow lots of hot air out the cpu vent after I had left the laptop on overnight. Now, nothing. You can feel a little heat if you touch it, but it's been greatly reduced. I've been very impressed. That said, I have noticed the price creep up from $14.95 (about what a no frills unit like this is worth) to $24.95 (a little bit high in my opinion). I imagine with a little shopping online you can get a similar unit for $14.95.
  
  

• A well spent 20 bucks.

  
  By A2Q2DYGQEYI5DD on 2007-09-01
  Having a 17" laptop (Dell Inspiron 9400/E1705), most cooling pads on the market don't quite fit. Many of them are designed for 15" or so sized laptops, so a 17" widescreen laptop will of course have couple inches hanging outside of the pad surface. So does this pad.
  
  But this one is just perfect. No doubt about it.
  
  Why? It almost seems like it was built for the 9400. Because the 9400 has two vents, one on the top left corner and another on the top right corner(one for CPU and the other for GPU since I have GeForce Go 7900 GS which has an extra fan). The vents have openings both on top (the keyboard side) and on the buttom which draw air and blow out the back side (next to the power coard, VGA video out, ethernet slot, etc).
  
  As I've mentioned, this pad is for 15" laptops, so if I align the pad with the center of the laptop, there will be approximately 1" margin on each sides hanging outside the pad. But this way the buttom side of the two vent openings are actually elevated in mid-air, which is a perfect spot for air to move freely upwards.
  
  You might wonder, then the 3 fans on the pad don't really help anymore? Actually they help tramendously. Because the SODIMM RAM slots of the Inspiron are located in the dead center of the buttom of the laptop, where hot air gather and not much cool air is circulating. So the location of the 3 fans on the pad basically blows away any and all accumulated hot air.
  
  With the help of the cooling pad, the temperatures on the CPU, GPU, and memory chips can drop almost 40, 35, 20 degrees Fahrenheit respectively when running a demanding task (such as playing BattleField 2 at highest resolution).
  
  The other reviews provided on this page pretty much covered all the great design details and features of the cooling pad. However I do want to point out that the company actually changed the USB cord part to make it removable (perhaps it saw the review below?), and now it's just perfect.
  
  If I must complain about something, then I would say the fact that it has such a long and descriptive name (or lack therof) is quite annoying. Oh and the box that it comes in is kinda ugly.
  
  But for a mere 20 dollars, give your laptop a good pad on the buttom.
  
  
• Open back???????
  By ASWH93BW4OH5D on 2008-01-10
  What good is a LAPtop cooling pad if you can't put it on your LAP??? Nowhere in the basic description does it mention the open back. If I sit it on my lap the fans hit my legs b/c they are totally open! I would have to put a book then the cooling pad and then the computer. Rediculous.
  Don't waste your money.
  
  
• Keeping it cool!
  By A2UH97SMLB24YV on 2007-03-18
  After getting this pad I thought that the size and simplicity could not be effective however after taking it out on the road and using this for a week either it's me or this thing is really working. My laptop used to function more sporadic and at the end of a seminar day it would be hot, hot, hot. Now when the day is done after using the Cooler Pad the laptop is not only cool to the touch it also functions more efficiently. Just like a car...the cooler you keep the components the better it functions.
  
  
• Nice cooler! Just what the doctor ordered.
  By AH75486RIRWH3 on 2007-06-04
  I was going to build my own laptop cooler out of a sheet-cake pan and copier cooling fans, but then I discovered this ready-made one on Amazon. After looking at 10 or so laptop coolers, I decided on this one as it was made better than the others - aluminum vs plastic, and had three fans. I just got this from the UPS man about ½ an hour ago and already the computer is cooler to the touch.
  
  Now that the daytime temperatures are in the 80s, my Dell Latitude D531 used get so hot that it would shut off by itself. Now it's running nice and cool! The 17 inch cord might be a problem for some, but it's fine for my use as I have 2 USB ports on my Dell. I am using one for the cooler, and the other for my 7 port USB hub. The cooler is slanted, and tilts the computer up about 1¾ inches so the keyboard is easier to type on. The three fans run so quiet that you can barely hear them.
  
  I got a good chuckle out of the Features and Benefits paragraph on the box as it was obviously written by a person whose first language isn't English. (This cooler is made in China) :-))
  
  
• Great on flat surfaces, very poor anywhere else
  By A283C1ZL38MXBK on 2007-06-20
  I have a Dell Inspiron 5100 that heats up very quickly on any surface. After being disappointed with other cheaper coolers, I decided to try this one.
  
  On a flat surface, such as a desk, I give it a 5/5. It dissipates heat very well and keeps the outside and internal chips near room temperature with extended use.
  
  However, I on all other surfaces I give it a 2/5. I like to use my laptop on the couch or in bed, and a cooler is required to keep the computer from overheating and from scalding me (According to Dell this is normal, colleagues with the same computer model have tried to RMA it and Dell just sends a very cheap cooler for free) Anyways, the first thing you'll notice when using this cooler in your lap is that there are numerous sharp points on the bottom of the cooler that make it very uncomfortable and may even scratch you if not careful.
  Additionally if you try to place a cloth or blanket under the cooler it will be pulled into the fan and will likely obstruct airflow or stop the fan altogether. It would be a perfect if there was a back, . . . .
  
  Honestly, I would probably return this product if the shipping, restocking fees, and waiting on hold for an RMA was worth getting $20 back.
  
  
• Excellent product for the price
  By A3SJD66YQAF265 on 2008-03-01
  This is a great little product for solving the overheating laptop problem. Its pluses are:
  
  1. Made of metal, so it's not going to break after a few weeks of use.
  2. Has 3 fans placed at various spots toward the back of the laptop.
  3. Bottom is open, so there is lots of path for air to flow out
  4. Has built-in 4 port USB hub, so you don't waste your precious USB ports
  
  The small minuses are:
  
  1. Bottom is open and exposed. It's only a few volts, but just make sure you don't have anything metal underneath.
  2. Could probably use a more secure way of holding onto the laptop. There are just a few little rubbery bumpers that seem to hold the computer pretty well, but you can still slide the computer off the stand a little too easily.
  
  So, the product is not perfect, but it's darn good for the price. I highly recommend it!
  
  
  
• Decent cooling power but too small!
  By A3AVD8O76TQXI8 on 2007-06-28
  I have a 17-18" laptop and this cooler is a few inches too small for my laptop. I have to put the laptop on it with the left side lied up and the right side hanging over to allow it to cool the right places. also, the lip at the bottom of the cooler doesn't seem to "catch" my laptop (not sure if its suppose to do that or not though) i probably would have ordered a different cooler if i would have known that it wouldnt fit with my laptop. however, the incline of the cooler makes it easier to type with the laptop up at a little angle!
  
  
• don't waste your money
  By AQ6KGSKRD9GY8 on 2007-08-03
  terribly noisy.
  almost do nothing on cooling down the left side of my laptop.
  ignore this and buy another one.
  
  
• Love it
  By A11YT6TNBDJXFE on 2008-01-15
  Before I bought this...
  I was playing World of Warcraft and after about 3 or 4 hours, my pc would overheat. The bottom of my laptop was scalding hot, and would reboot.
  I bought this, and I can play World of Warcraft from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. (11am, to 1am at least) (yes, im a nerd!)
  AND my laptop is COOL TO THE TOUCH.
  After I purchased this, I closely monitored the temp of my PC, while it was being shipped to me, so I could compare the numbers.
  Before I used this, my PC was running 70 to 90 degrees. (terrible!)
  After I used this, my PC stays around 40 to 45 degrees ALL DAY.
  I have no problems with the back, as it stays on my computer desk and I personally dont have a problem if I take my laptop away from my desk I dont play WoW anyway, and then my pc doesn't over heat.
  Anyway. I recommend this one of all things.
  
  
• does what it promises
  By A3BHVIIFFKBZ4 on 2007-09-03
  Cooled down my sons apple laptop from burning hot to mildly warm. The slight angle of the cooler pad also makes for a more comfortable position to work with.
  The noise level is also less than the built in fan.
  
  
• Useless
  By AS4R3I9KU5JVH on 2008-07-19
  I've bought this one for my 15" Dell. This product is indeed looks and performs cheap. While all 3 fans are working my laptop is just as hot as it was w/o this thing. Verdict - useless.
  
  
• Notebook Cooler
  By A3AODDH82B3CFJ on 2007-03-18
  The only reason I didn't give this a 5 is because it doesn't have a closed back. Otherwise it is wonderful.
  
  
• Not aluminum
  By A1G9GXLT2YXQV1 on 2007-08-08
  I Ordered 2 units for my laptops. They have been working great to keep my machines about 5C cooler. They are nice and quiet. They are not, however, made of aluminum. They are made of a bent sheet of steel painted silver(check with a magnet)I still recommend this product. Its good for the price. Be sure to pay attention to the width of the unit, if you have a wide computer this may not be the best idea.
  
  Also the unit is made in china, the English on the box that it comes in is really bad and kind of funny to read.
  
  
• Inexpensive but flawed
  By A51KZKIGU4RZ8 on 2008-02-23
  As some previous people have commented, the bottom wiring and even screws are exposed. This leads to discomfort while using as on the lap as opposed to another surface. The wiring is loose and can in some instances be snagged on loose items. This happened to me where the connections near the on/off switch (which are very exposed) caught on a something and were pulled free.
  
  From my experience the fans are not as quiet as some people have said. They are regular fans used in most PCs, just serialized and set onto a lightweight frame. The only advantage the whole unit has is the frame itself which does help to distribute some heat and is angled for airflow.
  
  Luckily the unit is inexpensive and may be worth buying if you want a cheap, alternative to having your laptop lay flat.
  
  
• Best notebook cooler ever!
  By A3J643OHZM4GN6 on 2008-04-18
  This thing was designed by an engineer, not some sissy marketing maven. It's solid aluminum, not plastic. The fans blow air towards the laptop, which means it works with your laptop's fans, not against them. Besides, if you want them to blow the other way, you can reverse them with a screwdriver, wrench, and about 30 minutes time. The unit is deep enough that my 17 inch notebook is stable on it, although it overlaps the edges about almost two inches on either side. The cooler has numerous feet that grip the notebook and maintain the distance between them. I think this also contributes to the solid feel of typing on my notebook on the cooler - more points of contact means less unwanted motion.
  
  This is NOT a cooler you can put in your lap and set your notebook on. Remember, it was designed by an engineer, and engineers don't use notebooks in their laps. That's what tables are for. (And boxes, and ice chests, and almost any other flat surface.)
  
  Problems: 1) The lip in the front could be a bit larger. My notebook has a rounded front, and I would like a more "locked-in" feel. 2) It has a built-in and non adjustable tilt of about 15 degrees. That's not much, but if you are a good typist and aren't used to tilted keyboards, it can take some getting used to. You could put a paperback under the front of the cooler to level it off, if this is an issue
  
  BOTTOM LINE: This is the very BEST notebook cooler under $60.
  
  
• Great Product
  By A2HWGVMR5X3RKL on 2007-08-28
  I use a Dell Latitude D510, which tends to heat up quickly and get the somewhat noisy internal fan going. The cooler has practically solved the problem. I would not hesitate to recommend it.
  
  
• The price is right, and my laptop is cold.
  By A2ECKGW0GZ3E8I on 2008-01-19
  I lost my first laptop to heat death about eight months ago, so when the time came to replace it, I wanted the new laptop to avoid the fate of the one before it.
  
  I use my laptop anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, depending on how much work or play time I have. This cooler has been under my Inspiron 1721 since October, and it's still working as quietly and efficiently as it did on the first day. The bottom of my laptop is quite cool, even after a long day of work.
  
  I only wish that this were available in a size more appropriate for 17" laptops. Approximately 1" of the laptop sticks out on each side, although the cooling efficiency doesn't appear to be affected by this. That having been said, I can't fault the manufacturers on this point - I bought this unit fully knowing that it was made more for smaller laptops.
  
  Given that this cooler will likely extend the life of my laptop significantly, I'd say it was well worth the modest price.
  
  
• Good idea, a little outdated
  By A2X4KMQW75DDPZ on 2008-01-28
  I just got mine in the mail today, and with the cheap price tag, i wasn't surprised to find that my 15" laptop hangs off about an inch on both sides. This chill pad would be nice for 13" notebooks and smaller. It still stays stable on my desk, and the completely open bottom makes sure cool air gets circulated. It's pretty quiet as well. As far as the issue of my laptop hanging off the sides, I'm assuming this is an older product that didn't account for all laptops being widescreen in the future. Just a guess.
  
  Good product for the simple function of keeping your notebook cool.
  
  
• Good Product
  By ANA4W76ROCIAI on 2008-02-07
  This is my second cooling pad after the Targus I orginally used. The design is nice with the open metal frame and 3 fans. Other reviewers have complained about the open design but I fail to see any problem with it. The product seems sturdy and not cheap like the plastic Targus. After about a month, my laptop has no problem with heat. I also like how the back is raised which makes for easier use.
  
  
• Don't buy it.
  By A2BD9B5GLE72ZL on 2008-07-19
  After few months, the USB cable stopped working because its cheap quality. Dont buy it as its not durable.
  
  
• Cool thighs for me!
  By A3KX3OGWI2E753 on 2007-10-16
  I got this fan a week ago and ever since my computer (hp) has been cool to the touch. Even my charger has cooled off. Both were often too hot to touch, and my puter would burn my thighs. No more burnt thighs for me! I love the price and it functions excellent!!! oh and i dont have to plug it in to the wall so that great too! thank you techmann890!
  
  
• Good desk unit, but not a good mobile unit!
  By AL1BGXKGXYW6Z on 2007-12-26
  A few posts say that it's "open in the back", but it's really open on the bottom. The fans and wires are exposed, which gives you the feeling that you could damage them. Some type of guard for at least the wires would have been nice. If you're keeping the unit stationary, like on a desk, then you'll be happy with the cooling. If you want to use your laptop on your lap, then you might want to consider getting another chill pad. To use this unit on your lap you could put it on a box or a thin board, but that's probably not something you'll want to do very often.
  
  
• Excellent Product
  By A1A15N27UA2WBB on 2008-01-01
  First, i was thinking to get Notepaul for my 17" notebook. However,after reading the review i thought let't try this first. Fortunetly, this product went beyond my expectation. The fans operate in very silent mode and i have to check once in a while whether they are running. The notebook don't get heated much even i operate it for more than 6 hours.Product is also very light and i carry the cooler with me always. This product doesn't cover my notebook completely and this is why i am giving 4 stars only. I wish they have a bigger notebook cooler fan like this.
  
  
  I would really recommend this product to every one.
  
  
• GOOD product not bad at all.
  By A3T91KE7L448ON on 2008-01-01
  I was a bit cautious about buying these products here but I've recently had some electronic problems with products that I've bought here at this website. However, this product works very well! The sound is not loud at all in fact it matches of the one from my own laptop's air fans. You get use to it very quickly and they work very well. Plus the extra 4 USB plug ins come in handy! The only reason why I'm giving this a 4 stars is because the box was beat up and it seemed like this product had been used appose to been new like I requested. So that gave me a bad feeling about how it was going to work but I've had it for a few weeks now and it continues to work just fine!
  
  
• good but too much inclined
  By AWG43733JC30 on 2008-02-03
  I kinda like its design but it is too much inclined and I am not comfortable working with that much inclined keyboard. It would be great if it would be horizontal or slightly inclinedh.
  
  
• Works, but not for long
  By AFPMC78BN2CJJ on 2008-04-21
  I purchased this cooling pan about 4 months ago. It has worked well most of that time. It cools my laptop very well, even though my laptop is larger than the cooling pad (19"). However, after only 4 months, the pad has stopped working. The problem is the cord. In the last month I've had to have the cord in a certain position to get it to work, and now it won't work at all.
  
  

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