Cooling Pads Recommendations

[Smurfed]

Lately my Macbook Pro has been running hotter than usual.

Looking to invest on a good Cooling Pad, Extra USB ports are welcomed.

Anyone of you recommend a cooling pad that you currently own?

[cptpower]

anything that doesn't interfere with your notebook's existing cooling system. That may sound like it goes without saying, but a colleague of mine bought a cooling pad once; the bottom was supposed to draw heat away from the notebook (not a Mac, btw). All it succeeded in doing was blocking the fans that were on the bottom of the laptop that the guys at the store didn't see.

Her notebook, after about 45 minutes of use, was too hot to touch, and it crashed shortly after that due to the memory getting fried.

I like the iLap myself; doesn't do any active cooling, but its cheap, draws some heat away, and gets my MBP off of my lap when I'm using it away from my desk.

[Bobioden]

I like the iLap myself; doesn't do any active cooling, but its cheap, draws some heat away, and gets my MBP off of my lap when I'm using it away from my desk.


You consider $50 for an iLap cheap? I have seen one in person and was not that impressed.

[cptpower]

damn; I just assumed they were cheap since its a pretty simple design. I got mine as a gift, and never bothered to check the price of it.

Still, I think I would've bought one anyway (or at least something similar to it). Its fantastic for when I'm sitting back on the couch and working away; keeps my legs nice and cool instead of ridiculously warm. But hey, to each their own, right?

[fr4c]

This is what I use. Matches the MBP quite well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834998685

[tdgrn]

I too have one and have been please with my purchase, although I will say it is a little tough to swallow that you are spending 50 bucks basically for a piece of metal... With that being said, my family notoriously has had carpal tunnel and that is how I convinced the fiancé on letting me get one of these for this purpose.

[Matek]

Hold on a second. You people are actually buying a laptop cooler for a laptop that doesn't have any fans/openings on the bottom??

I thought these coolers were supposed to be used on laptops who like like this on the underside:http://www.hitech99.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/laptop-reviews-acer-aspire-5634wlmi-04.jpg

What use does it have if it's just blowing against a flat surface? It's like mounting a fain to blow against the side of your desktop machine that doesn't have any holes.

[Dmac77]

Hold on a second. You people are actually buying a laptop cooler for a laptop that doesn't have any fans/openings on the bottom??

I thought these coolers were supposed to be used on laptops who like like this on the underside:http://www.hitech99.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/laptop-reviews-acer-aspire-5634wlmi-04.jpg

What use does it have if it's just blowing against a flat surface? It's like mounting a fain to blow against the side of your desktop machine that doesn't have any holes.

Although heat won't get pulled out of the computers vents, a cooling pad will keep the hot bottom of the laptop away from your desk/lap. And I used one on my VIAO (when I still used my VAIO) which had no vents on the bottom, and I noticed that the temperature of the CPU dropped by 7 degrees while doing the same exact task, don't ask me how it helped. If your just going to be using the MBP on your desk, just set it on top of some pencils (my el cheepo method) it actually works because there is more room for airflow under the laptop. If our going to be using it on your lap, get a iLap if you want the design to match your MBP plus they also make great stands for your computer, or just go to Best Buy or you local office store and get a cheep Targus cooling pad, they don't look great, but they work.

Don

[pinktank]

Get a bouncing ball, cut it in half and put it under the back corners, should help reduce it several degrees

[Jiten]

You can try these

http://www.chillpak.com/


My friend has one of those and uses it to keep his Macbook Pro cool when playing games.

[pinktank]

There is also this (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7588~r.11814938), which I didnt try but reviews talk about it a little

[Smurfed]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys.
This is what I use. Matches the MBP quite well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834998685
I was looking at that same model earlier, I'll be considering that model.


You can try these

http://www.chillpak.com/


My friend has one of those and uses it to keep his Macbook Pro cool when playing games.

There is also this (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7588~r.11814938), which I didnt try but reviews talk about it a little

I have something similar to these but when they're touching something hot for too long doesnt the Gel get hot and stay at that temperature also?

[Brend]

Hi, I use the Xstand fron Targus. Its great, it can collapse into a small package when not used and it cools my laptop easily 10 degrees c. Use this in combination with smc fan control and you are set.

[pinktank]

I really don't know but I'll look into it

*edit: http://www.jonlee.ca/review-thermaltake-ixoft-fanless-cooling-pad/ here's a review on the passive
The chillpak is a temporary solution, you have to put in the fridge after every use.

but as I said, two halves of a bouncing ball will do more than what you want.

[SpookyLars]

Anyone of you recommend a cooling pad that you currently own?

A few days ago, I ordered Lapcool (http://www.vantecusa.com/front/product/view_detail/4) and now I'm waiting for shipment. The device itself looks very promising. I hope, I'll be able to give you a quick review in the next week.

[MowingDevil]

Be interested to hear how it turns out Spooky.

[eXan]

What about Mstand?

http://www.raindesigninc.com/mstand.html

Looks really nice :)

[Jiten]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys.



I was looking at that same model earlier, I'll be considering that model.






I have something similar to these but when they're touching something hot for too long doesnt the Gel get hot and stay at that temperature also?

Regarding the Chill Pak, I don't know the specifics but my friend had bought 2 paks and rotates them around (keeps the other one in his freezer). He claims that one pak is good for at least 2 hours. Keeps his laptop cool indefinitely when gaming. He says that the good thing about these is that there is no condensation. Not sure about the ice packs though.

[modojojo]

Although heat won't get pulled out of the computers vents, a cooling pad will keep the hot bottom of the laptop away from your desk/lap. And I used one on my VIAO (when I still used my VAIO) which had no vents on the bottom, and I noticed that the temperature of the CPU dropped by 7 degrees while doing the same exact task, don't ask me how it helped. If your just going to be using the MBP on your desk, just set it on top of some pencils (my el cheepo method) it actually works because there is more room for airflow under the laptop. If our going to be using it on your lap, get a iLap if you want the design to match your MBP plus they also make great stands for your computer, or just go to Best Buy or you local office store and get a cheep Targus cooling pad, they don't look great, but they work.

Don

I have the Targus with the extra usb ports and It definitely keeps the bottom of my MBP cooler, compared to the MBP without It.

[supermackid]

Regarding the Chill Pak, I don't know the specifics but my friend had bought 2 paks and rotates them around (keeps the other one in his freezer). He claims that one pak is good for at least 2 hours. Keeps his laptop cool indefinitely when gaming. He says that the good thing about these is that there is no condensation. Not sure about the ice packs though.


I'm confused. There is no way to prevent condensation. When humid air is cooled, water precipitates. When the air inside my MBP precipitates, it will short circuit.


:apple: = happy me

[Aboo]

The Zalman NC2000 or NC1000 are excellent notebook coolers. They may be a little on the pricier side, but in my experience, they are well worth the premium.

[colmaclean]

If my MBP gets too toasty on my lap, I stick one of these under it...

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FEW/HMKD/F5Y3KZBI/FEWHMKDF5Y3KZBI.MEDIUM.gif

Doesn't have any USB ports, unfortunately.

[blitzraider]

I use the cooler master notepal. It was very elusive here in HK. I bought the last one for my 17 MBP. It fits perfectly. It has a power buttion and 2 usb ports. To hear the fans, you would have to put your ear very close to it. Lastly, the whole thing is aluminum and comes in three colours, so passice cooling also works. I love it.

Some pics:

[rsmcool]

If my MBP gets too toasty on my lap, I stick one of these under it...

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FEW/HMKD/F5Y3KZBI/FEWHMKDF5Y3KZBI.MEDIUM.gif

Doesn't have any USB ports, unfortunately.

The thing is, I don't really use my laptop on my lap. I really use it as a portable desktop. If I wanted to actually use my laptop like most people do, I would have bought a regular MacBook, or a MacBook Air.

I really don't care about keeping my lap comfortable. I just want my computer to be cooled so it performs faster.

[kastenbrust]

The thing is, I don't really use my laptop on my lap. I really use it as a portable desktop. If I wanted to actually use my laptop like most people do, I would have bought a regular MacBook, or a MacBook Air.

I really don't care about keeping my lap comfortable. I just want my computer to be cooled so it performs faster.

I find using mine on a granite work surface works wonders.