Xpad (Non-slip Laptop Cooler & Heatshield) Reviews

• xpad for MacBook Pro

  
  By A1FA4WW26OOZK5 on 2006-10-28
  Great solution. Lightweight, and dramatic difference. The heat from my MacBook Pro was intense. I've had other laptops before, but nothing came close to the heat from my Apple. Every couple hours I would have to shut it down to let it cool off, or put it on the granite countertop in my kitchen to absorb the heat. The typical plastic laptop pads didn't absorb the heat. I even pulled out a spare tile of stone from the outdoor countertop we installed to use as a laptop pad, but this was a heavy and ridiculous solution. The Xpad was much more affordable, and I liked that it didn't need to plug into my laptop to run additional fans.
  
  

• Don't use my laptop without it. Period.

  
  By A1KQSR91MRTWZ6 on 2007-08-28
  I've had this for about as long as I've had my laptop (a new model is out and it's $200 cheaper so that makes it what... about a year?) and I love it. It fits my 14" just fine and could probably fit a 15" too. It's the exact same width as my laptop and about 1 inch longer, which is ideal because a little bit of slack forward & back keeps it on your lap even when it slides just a bit (more on that later).
  
  When used with a desk, it keeps it up and away from the desk and simply provides more air below the laptop where the fans are. One of the "X" pads are directly below the hard drive, so it probably doesn't get as much ventilation as it could, but still more than if the xpad wasn't involved.
  
  As something you keep on your lap, it works great too. The bottom side has an almost denim like feel to it and keeps everything relatively stable and things don't slide around except at the most extreme angles - the laptop will start to slip at, say, greater than 30 degrees away from you (the monitor half being heavy and towards the bottom - it's just not good) or 45 degrees towards you (which is how I sometimes keep it if I'm lying in bed with it propped up between my stomach and one of my legs). If I were to redesign it, I'd texture the rubber X pads on the top (they're pretty smooth) so as to add just a touch more grip, but that's a very minor quibble - really at the angles I'm talking about, gravity just has to take over.
  
  It's made of some sort of plastic and foam, and I was really surprised with how light-weight it was. It's also thin enough to take with you in a laptop bag. If the laptop is running really hot, the bottom will get one or two degrees warmer, but not at all hot and definitely nothing that would make you sterile (read the stories on the internet, it happens).
  
  All in all, this is a great product and doesn't pull any power from your USB or have any areas where you can't put your leg because there's a fan there. My girlfriend is getting a laptop soon and we'll definitely get one for her too.
  
  

• Meh

  
  By AYPRL01BJ8QVZ on 2006-06-15
  I read a review saying that this cooled all heating problems for the Alienware 7700 laptop. Tis a lie, they must mean the 15" version cause it made my 17" 7700 heating problem worse. I put it on, and my computer instantly began to reheat. It was a waste.
  
  

• Simple idea, worth the money

  
  By AEHAPUIZZU6EH on 2006-12-28
  I purchased this after receiving my Macbook 13". I read the online reviews and thought I would give it a try. For me it works well with my needs. First, it surely keeps my lap cooler, though I am not really sure about the actual laptop temp. It is ergonomic, being pretty non-intrusive and not having to adapt to an extremely odd wrist/hand angle. My laptop never slips, even when I angle my legs! It is very light and travels extremely well and does not use up your battery. I also have one with fans, the Vantech or Vanguard, which of course does lower the temp, but sucks up the battery, plus seems to be very fragile, and my laptop slips off of it often. I would recommend this item to others, though I would hope the price of this extremely simple unit would go down, but at around $17, I would pay that again.
  My rating for the product is a 5 star, but it losses one star from me for the cost being higher than what I believe it should be, considering manufacturing and material cost. I would imagine the cost would go down eventually.
  
  

• works great

  
  By A1K0E8HBR1KY07 on 2006-11-03
  I just got this today, but so far i love it. I can sit on the couch with it. And even at a 45 degre angle, it doen'st slide off!
  Fits my thinkpad very well, there is about 1/4 ince space around the edge.
  not heavy either.
  
  
• Definitely works as promised, but a few considerations...
  By A31L3NGHRLXC0J on 2006-12-26
  I've been using the XPad for about two weeks and have to say that overall it does a pretty good job. I mostly use my laptop propped in my lap in bed,and the fans on my Dell don't go off nearly as often when I'm using the Xpad. I no longer feel the heat from my laptop burning into my skin, and I can't say I really miss it all that much. Furthermore, I pretty much leave it permanently on the Xpad even when I'm not using it, thus dispelling my previous irrational fear that my laptop would overheat and set my sheets on fire if I left it unattended. The fact that it runs without needing to plug in to a USB port and without noisy fans of any sort is a huge plus.
  
  Some things to note: I own a Dell Inspiron 1505 with a 15.4' screen. The Xpad fits it perfectly from front to back, however the computer is larger by about 1 cm on each side. This doesn't really seem to affect the performance at all. If I use my laptop for hours at a time, the rubberized raised surfaces on the Xpad tend to get pretty hot, though I think this is unavoidable when running your computer for so long in such close proximity to another surface. It's going to heat up something unless you can somehow use it suspended in air.
  
  The other thing is that the actual physical presence of the Xpad under my laptop took some getting used to. In some places, it adds about an inch to how my laptop used to sit, and when I first started using it I found that I had to slightly adjust the position of my hands, particularly when typing. I stopped noticing this after a few days of use, and have actually come to appreciate the stable surface that the Xpad creates--almost like a mini-desk. I also feel that the Xpad also adds a certain amount of heft that takes some getting used to, though I'm sure this is very person-specific (think about it this way: a laptop alone might be about 6 lbs., so even a pound of extra weight is about a 15% increase. Some people can probably feel that, others, not so much).
  
  Overall, definitely recommended, but I'd give it a few days to get used to the feeling of having your laptop sitting on a new surface. And one final note, even with the price of $19.95, it doesn't ship from amazon, so you'll end up paying about $27 total.
  
  
• All depends
  By A2D82GLVKG2EIW on 2006-12-13
  One of the rubber feet falls right under my processor and fan, so my laptop runs hotter on the pad than without. If I tilt the laptop so the fan is clear of the foot, it works fine, but its very awkward. Look at the bottom of your laptop, and see how its going to work out.
  
  If the feet fall in a good position for you, this would be a good pad. The laptop does not slip, and the pad is durable and light.
  
  
• This vendor's customer service does not exist
  By A1QIWX9NOABEGP on 2007-06-15
  I ordered this prouct on 5/10 and of course my charge card was hit with the cost that same day. The order was confirmed and shown to be "in stock". By 5/21 I had still not received, so emailed the vendor direct. I was then told it was backordered, they were to receive on 5/28, and it would definitely ship to me on 5/29. Got an email that said it had shipped Priority Mail on 6/1. By 6/7 had STILL not received so contacted Amazon.com and was eventually refunded. Thank you Amazon.com for standing behind your sales, but "Buyer Beware" ... stay away from Edova Innovations!!
  
  
• A great, attractive design that performs as advertised!
  By AZ9SBVDGZIELI on 2006-10-20
  Lightweight and thin enough to travel alongside my Acer Travelmate 8104, the Xpad works just as promised. With its simple (yet very attractive) design, I really was not sure what to expect. But, it really does keep my lap totally cool! When placed directly on a couch or bed with the laptop on it, the exhaust from the fan is also noticiably cooler. It's very sturdy, yet very light. This is a great product, and certainly worth the regular price of $29.95 - but a true bargain at $19.95 (far less than all of the competing products I looked at)! This one's a winner!!
  
  
• Here's all you need to know; it works.
  By A1ULKMLA6GBJNI on 2006-10-24
  This is not an active cooling system; but, here's what it does, it allows your laptop to cool itself the way it was meant to cool. If you put your laptop on your lap, or on a bed, a sofa or a chair, then the cooling vents will be blocked.
  
  The Xpad lifts the laptop and protects your lap with an insulated barrier. You can sit and work or play for hours comfortably with the laptop on your lap. Afterall, it is a laptop!
  
  Because it lifts and improves circulation, your laptop will even run cooler using the Xpad on a normal desk top.
  
  
• Unfortunately they are out of business
  By A2QJMCJIH56PDV on 2007-05-20
  Well, their web site is still up. and they are still taking orders, they just no longer are shipping this product but simply taking peoples money
  
  
• worst customer service ever
  By A1Q2GEJOM6PWQO on 2007-06-12
  took a month to get the product. they said they had too many orders to satisfy, but took 3 emails for them to even tell me that. they said they would credit my account $5 for waiting a month, and 2 weeks after they have said that, still no credit. do not buy from these people.
  
  
• Stops the heat, but uncomfortable on the lap
  By AD3WQHCXX4G7C on 2007-09-13
  I just got the XPAD for my MacBook Pro, which can heat up unbearably. While the XPAD reduces the heat considerably, its sharp edges are uncomfortable on the lap, thus I am returning it. If the XPAD got the same rounded edges as the MacBook, it would be the perfect product.
  
  
• It's Alright, I guess
  By A1CYJDYBRJPF10 on 2007-10-01
  It doesnt cool your laptop down AT ALL, all it does is shield your legs from the heat of the laptop.
  
  
• Not built for 17" laptop
  By ARSGHNDR771PR on 2006-12-07
  Their site states that it will fit a 17" laptop, because the rubber feet just have to touch the pads on the Xpad. The problem is that the rubber feet do not all touch the pads on the Xpad. My laptop wound up producing even more heat than it did while it was on my lap. Since they require signature confirmation to return the item, it cost me more to ship it back. By the time I was done paying all the fees, I wound up paying for half the cost of the Xpad. I found the perfect lapdesk by Sharper Image. It fits a 17" laptop, has risers to lift the laptop up, has a mouse pad that attaches to the side, and it has built in wrist supports. I love it. I am sure this would have been ok had I had a smaller laptop. I just trusted them when they said it would fit a 17' laptop.
  
  
• Don't be fooled
  By AQ2MD43SRBZZV on 2008-03-01
  I bought this XPAD about a week ago and expected miracles. I use my computer a lot and it's got a lot of memory so it gets very hot, especially when I have it on my lap. This XPAD does not work like the manufacturer says it does. My computer still overheated and my lap was even hotter than without it. It seems like the material covering the bottom of the pad conducts heat to my legs. When I used the pad on my desk, my computer slipped around; I guess I could put some rubber pads on the bottom, but for $25 why should I have to do that. I am returning this item, if it seems feasible with all that shipping cost, and I have already ordered and received an Antec cooler with fans. It really works great, big enough for my 15.4 but I doubt for anything larger.
  
  
• Very good solution
  By AINOBQJTPMASE on 2006-11-13
  At first I was hesitant about this product because it didn't have any fans. However, upon trying it out, I was very satisfied. My laptop does not overheat anymore. What more is that I can surf anywhere I want, whether it is on my lap, on the bed, on the couch, on the carpet, on the table, anywhere. The pad is lightweight, sturdy, and has no sharp edges.
  
  
• Sometimes all you need is a basic
  By A22QQ6E86195OU on 2006-11-23
  I received the Xpad as a gift 2 months ago and I was skeptical. It was a gift so I gave it a try. It is perfect, I use it everyday, evreywhere. My laptop doesn't slide off, no matter what angle I use it in. And it doesn't use any of your battery power like the ones that have fans! It goes wherever my laptop goes. I have a Dell E1405 Widescreen, but I think that it will work with most laptops. I am buying one as a Christmas gift for someone. Sometimes the simplest item is best!
  
  
• Xpad turns your notebook into a Laptop
  By A2ACI894H9MIVF on 2006-12-13
  I originally purchased one from the inventor at the Orange County, CA Computer Fair and I couldn't be more pleased. It's a great gift for notebook computer users and it just "feels" right. It's great for me since I can leave my notebook on my bed and not worry about the blanket covering up the cooling intake. My wife used to have problems with pains in her legs from a really hot Dell Inspiron. No one told her that you couldn't use a laptop on your lap :) Since she tried the Xpad, she no longer gets pains in her legs. She got rid of that old Inspiron, but the Xpad is even more important now that she has a Powerbook. The Mac Powerbook she has REALLY gets hot on the bottom, and the Xpad handles it like a champ. If you need a gift for a Mac Powerbook owner, Xpad is it.
  
  
• Perfect!
  By A3R9N8GCFNDV5 on 2007-01-09
  This laptop pad certainly relieves the heat that was frying my legs for months! It is very lightweight and is just large enough to fit underneath the laptop. No complaints and would recommend to anyone looking for this type of product.
  
  
• Keeps my thighs from burning
  By AGETTK2SJSW7I on 2007-03-20
  I'm not sure that it helps with actually keeping my computer any cooler--but my laptop tends to sit on my thighs and this buffer between the computer and my thighs is much needed. Yes, this really is a non-slip heatshield--wouldn't say cooler, but the other statements are fair. I'm glad that I purchased the product and it is very light and compact. Good for a traveler like myself.
  
  
• Does the Job
  By A2RPFKPFHYB6VS on 2007-04-15
  The Xpad is exactly as described ... non-slip surface, eliminates heat transfer between my legs and my laptop, elevates my laptop to allow proper airflow...and it fits easily into my laptop bag. The product is stable without being bulky or heavy and it doesn't interfere with my unit's internal cooling system.
  
  
• Don't waste your time with this product.
  By A1SWR2J0BZOC2S on 2007-06-09
  The company is the worst company I've dealt with on the web. Communication is non-existent. When I opened the package the Xpad was dirty and had cracks on two of the legs, It looks used. I ordered this for my macbook. I have not seen any major or minor drops in temperature (iStat). I would suggest anything else but this poorly manufactured product.
  
  
• Makes a laptop a laptop!
  By A3R3QRKCZMYJRA on 2007-07-28
  I've had one of these since Nov 06. I shopped around looking for just what I needed and this is it! "Bean bags" are bulky, fan-driven ones need power and may not be helpful, this Xpad is light, fits my case, keeps my machine cool and is useable in many positions. I've used it with 15" and 14" widescreens and it fit both well. I highly recommend it! It's not "just a board", it's ingenious!
  
  
• Disappointed, you get what you pay for
  By A29JCWZRNJZWXM on 2007-10-02
  After reading all the positive reviews for this product, I decided to give this product a try. Unfortunately, I tried using if for a week and my Toshiba laptop still remains hot, actually it feels as if it got even hotter when I use the Xpad. At least, it was only a $20 loss, I'll probably try to sell the product on eBay.
  
  
• great cooler if your laptop isn't huge
  By A1YP376ZWOSJUM on 2008-02-15
  This is a great product that works well under laptops that are not to big. My new laptop is a 17" widescreen with a fullsize keyboard and no matter how I maneuver it none of the feet sit on the pads. The pad literally fits between all four of the laptops feet with at least an 1/8 inch gap on one side. My laptopp is a cyberpower so either the feet are placed too widely apart on this particular brand of laptop or new laptops are just being made too wide for the xpad. It still seems to offer some cooling but I doubt it is working optimally. The size issues are the only reason for my giving the product 3 stars because I bought one for my old alienware and it works great with that plus I got one for my sister in law and she loves hers. Incidentally my sister in laws dell is also a widescreen laptop and she did not have the issues with it fitting that I had.
  
  
• Honestly, it is a 5
  By A2K1YL2J3REFUI on 2008-05-02
  I just put three for my own personal reasons. The thing is really great for what it is. I just wanted to warn for those who are looking for something to actually physically cool off a laptop, this is not for you. This is just a pad that will keep the laptop efficiently cool and your lap from being overheated. If you want to cool the laptop, get one of those pads that physically absorbs heat, or just buy a cheap fan to go against it. This is especially when you do some recording with music sequencers and play online games.
  
  
• Don't expect too much
  By A1T3KYLP5V3IZ2 on 2007-01-08
  This is just a basic piece of hard plastic with a padded cloth bottom. I expected a little better construction and better heat desipitation. It does okay, again, for basic plastic that just helps elevate the laptop for better ventilation. Should be cheaper too. May consider a fan one next time instead.
  
  
• keeps heat away; bad designed bottom makes it uncomfortable
  By A2XULY85YOSRZ3 on 2007-02-04
  The product does keep away the heat and helps my laptop stay cool. However, the bottom of the lap desk is badly designed and has sharp metal edges that stick out further than the pad on the bottom that can be quite uncomfortable on the legs.
  
  
  
  
• Good solution
  By A18KZY5IHSKL58 on 2007-02-08
  Great solution, works well. Nevertheless, the metal edges are a little bit uncomfortable on the legs.
  
  

• Antec USB-Powered Notebook Cooler
• Case Logic Compact Portable Hard Drive Case (Black)
• Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks
• Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 - Slate
• Handstands Cool Lift Portable Notebook Cooling Pad 22100