Antec Notebook Cooler
Manufacturer: Antec Inc. Part number: NOTEBOOK COOLER
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Bottom Line:
- The Antec Notebook Cooler uses dual USB-powered fans to provide effective cooling for hot laptops.
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CNET editors' review
Antec Notebook Cooler price range: $14.99 - $39.95
- Reviewed by: Dan Ackerman
- Reviewed on: 02/21/2007
- Released on: 01/01/2007
The good: Powered fans for active cooling; small enough to fit in a laptop case.
The bad: Requires proprietary USB power cable; doesn't provide additional work space.
The bottom line: The Antec Notebook Cooler uses dual USB-powered fans to provide effective cooling for hot laptops.
If laptop heat is a major problem for you, it may be time to move beyond simple passive laptop desks into the realm of powered devices. After all, singed legs and overheated thighs are a major issue for heavy notebook users, and a wide variety of products are out there to provide some much-needed heat dissipation. Rather than a simple plastic board designed to expose more of the laptop's surface area to the air, the $45 Antec Notebook Cooler has two built-in fans that suck hot air away from the overheated bottom surface of your system.
Unlike the LapWorks Laptop Desk 2.0 or the LapWorks Laptop Desk UltraLite, both of which have extended wings for use as a mousing surface, you won't get any additional work space from the Antec Notebook Cooler. Instead, the device sits directly under your laptop and is powered by one of your system's USB ports, via a proprietary (and easy-to-lose) cable.
Measuring 13 inches wide by 11 inches deep by slightly less than one inch high, the Antec Notebook Cooler will fit a wide variety of laptops, although smaller ones will leave the edges visible, while larger laptops will spill over the sides. The unit is attractive, with a silver-and-black design and curved sides. We were able to pack it into our midsize laptop bag with no problem.
Using a popular business laptop, the Lenovo T60, we put the Antec Notebook Cooler to the test by running CNET Labs' grueling Multitasking test on the system and recording the CPU temperature.
Running the test without the laptop desk, the CPU got as hot as 80.8 degrees. After a cool-down period, we ran the test again, this time with the laptop sitting on the Antec Notebook Cooler, set to the higher of two fan-speed settings. The highest temperature recorded during the second test was 74.8 degrees, a notable decrease. This easily beat the two LapWorks desks, but was essentially tied with the Xpad Laptop Desk, a bulky, passive laptop cooler which is clearly as effective as it unattractive.
User reviews
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A nice cooler with a fatal flaw
by chehalisjeff on December 2, 2008
Pros: Well built, quiet, nice design. Doesn't use up a USB port (comes with a pass-thru connector) doesn't require AC power.
Cons: FATAL FLAW: This "cooler" can actually cause your laptop to overheat. Most laptops draw air up from vents in the bottom and blow it UP out side vents - since heat rises, this makes sense. The Antec Cooler sucks air DOWN - defeating your laptop fans.
Summary: This otherwise capable laptop cooler has a fatal flaw - it sucks air from the top and blows it downward - contrary to the reviewers notes. The twin fans are ...
Summary: This otherwise capable laptop cooler has a fatal flaw - it sucks air from the top and blows it downward - contrary to the reviewers notes. The twin fans are centrifugal style (presumably to keep them quiet) and are not reversible. I called Antec about this and they are aware of the problem and their response was that, "not all laptops airflow the same way" which may be true but I have several laptops and I have yet to see one where the air flows top down - it's counter-intuitive. Of course if you have one of these rare birds, by all means by this cooler it's otherwise a nice unit. If your laptops are like mine, (Compaq, Lenovo, Toshiba) this "cooler" will actually make your laptop run hotter (depriving it of airflow) and perhaps damage it.
One big giveaway that this is a design flaw is that Antec's new laptop cooler (200 model) air flows in the opposite direction (from the bottom up.) I asked Antec for a credit toward the newer unit (my unit it also brand new) but they said no way. Due to a lack of customer service, I will not be buying anything Antec from here on out.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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If you cant power it, why bother?
by califlefty on February 27, 2007
Pros: It's shiny!
Cons: It doesn't work
Summary: I bought 2 of these and both failed shortly for the same reason - the mini plug connector for the USB adapter (the only way to power it) failed on ...
Summary: I bought 2 of these and both failed shortly for the same reason - the mini plug connector for the USB adapter (the only way to power it) failed on each unit! This is because the unit is so poorly made (hey pay people a buck a day and you get 100% failure rates)that the adapter wont align correctly to make a positive connection. You're better off just flushing your money down the toilet then buying this junk. Hey Antec - less money on web sites, more on quality control!
Updated
Note that I was the first to comment on this item. Also note that immediately after I commented my negative review "glowing" reviews were quickly posted by people who have never again posted on CNET. Now look at their post dates and come to your own conclusions.4 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I love it and have no problems, almost a year old.
Pros: Easy to use. Does it's job. Fair price.
Cons: Nothing for me to complain about.
Summary: I love this fan. It is quiet for me. The motor occasionally kicks on and off, which is to be expected. I run mine on low power and its never ...
Summary: I love this fan. It is quiet for me. The motor occasionally kicks on and off, which is to be expected. I run mine on low power and its never noisy enough to bother me. I've never had a problem with the USB port plug. I leave mine plugged into the laptop 24/7 and never a problem. Pick it up occasionally and blow out the dust and cat hair, and sit it back down again.
Someone complained it doesn't raise the laptop for easier typing. It's not supposed to. It's only a cooling fan - not a table or monitor stand. I have a wireless keyboard plugged into my laptop USB port and occasionally plug my digital camera in to download pictures. I have no problem with anything getting in the way anywhere.
I have the rubber feet on top and my 15-inch widescreen HP Pavilion sits very nicely on there. I'm not constantly moving mine and taking it places. It sits on a little table right by the couch.
I'd say those with problems must have bad devices, which occasionally happens. I'd definitely buy this cooling pad again and recommend it to others.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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best cooler pad i've owned
by brobb74 on February 27, 2007
Pros: This is an awesome product
Cons: My first one went bad, but it was after two years.
Summary: I would buy one of of these again and again. I have two of these and there excellent.
Summary: I would buy one of of these again and again. I have two of these and there excellent.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Problems right away
by reillan on August 28, 2009
Pros: If you are very creative with the use of this cooler, it does, in fact, cool.
Cons: The power pin inside became loose, thus making it impossible to actually keep the thing running without actively holding the plug in. The surface is very smooth, making it difficult to use on surfaces that are not perfectly level.
Summary: The power plug could've been designed in a way that yielded better connectivity. The pin, as stated, was not very sturdy and therefore caused problems from day 2 of ...
Summary: The power plug could've been designed in a way that yielded better connectivity. The pin, as stated, was not very sturdy and therefore caused problems from day 2 of ownership, but additionally the power cable was not long enough to be useful, reaching only about six inches. Because the fans are in the middle of the cooling pad, and direct fan positioning under your own cpu vent is critical to make this thing work well, the short power cable gave very few positioning options. Additionally, because the cooler is only as large as a 15" laptop, if you do need to position it in any way other than directly under the laptop (and you will), you won't actually be able to *type*, as part of your laptop will be hanging off the side and it will tip when you go to hit the far keys (on my inspirton 1525, for instance, the fan is on the back-left corner, so pressure on the front right, such as shift or the arrow keys, tips the laptop off the pad).
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Great for XBOX 360
by marvelguy on August 6, 2009
Pros: Used this with my MacBook Pro which runs VERY hot and it kept it cool all day. I also use one under my XBOX 360 to keep it cool. Works very well and is much quieter than my previous XBOX third party fans.
Cons: The cord is short and only on one side, plus having the passthrough makes it large on one end which covers a nearby USB port.
Summary: Love it! Used it for laptop and XBOX 360 works great and is very quiet. Got it 1/2 price at Staples for $20. You can't beat it!
Summary: Love it! Used it for laptop and XBOX 360 works great and is very quiet. Got it 1/2 price at Staples for $20. You can't beat it!
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Antec Cooling Fan
by heylookjosessn on January 5, 2009
Pros: Lightweight, portable, keeps laptop cool, great shape.
Cons: Strange noise, very quiet, only once or twice for about 5 seconds.
Summary: This a great, cheap, easy to use fan. It still lets you use a USB port, and even increaes my laptops battery life! Don't refrain from buying this fan, ...
Summary: This a great, cheap, easy to use fan. It still lets you use a USB port, and even increaes my laptops battery life! Don't refrain from buying this fan, go for it!
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Wonderful and cool!
by diesel503 on August 16, 2008
Pros: Keeps laptop quite cool. Easy to power up. Cheap price,
Cons: A little short......
Summary: I bought a different brand from CC and the fan broke after a few days. Ive had this for two weeks now and I love it. Works great. Keeps everything ...
Summary: I bought a different brand from CC and the fan broke after a few days. Ive had this for two weeks now and I love it. Works great. Keeps everything cool. Two fans. It really spreads out the temp. Best for a 15" laptop but I have a 17 and it works fine.You can't beat the price either. One of the lowest priced fans around.
Ive had this cooler for at least a year or more and have had no problems, I bought two other fans for my other laptops and they both failed over time, Im talking a month or two. This fan works perfect for me and I use it seven days a week for at least a few hours a day. After feeling the bottom of my laptop after using the Antec cooler the laptop bottom is actually cool to the touch not warm at all.
Updated on Jan 16, 2009
Updated on Feb 23, 2009My fan is still running perfect after these months. Neither fan has worn out and no problems. It keeps my HP laptop which runs very hot, quite cool. You should invest in some sort of laptop cooler if you wil be using one regulary. -
One of the best laptop accessories available!
by silentghost on August 7, 2008
Pros: Great looks, significantly cools laptop, a must-have for users who leave their machines on almost 24/7, low price, especially when on sale (over 50% off MSRP!), sturdy construction, reliable brand, USB port is not lost - power-plug provides pass-thru
Cons: Older model did not come w/ four (4) rubber feet, so larger laptops (i.e. desktop replacements) tend to wobble on it - problem FIXED w/ newer models, fans may be loud for small (bed)room setups, LED light may be too bright for some users
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Needs more work
by steve_sheldon on June 9, 2008
Pros: Fan Based Cooling
Cons: Vents to the front and back,
Summary: With my job I work from home and spend a lot of time working from my laptop on my lap. I bought this device with the hope of being able ...
Summary: With my job I work from home and spend a lot of time working from my laptop on my lap. I bought this device with the hope of being able to work comfortably in this way for extended periods.
On first glance, I thought the Antec Laptop Cooler would be ideal but have found an issue that means I will need to look for another solution. The Antec Laptop coolers fans are excellent at taking heat away from the laptop, but the problem is that it vents that heat, and by that I mean it blows that warm air out of the back but more importantly the front at the bottom, straight into you. So, even though your lap might stay cool(er), a steady stream of warm air blowing directly into you isn't exactly the effect I was looking for.
It would be great if they could update this design to blow the hot air out from sides but at this time I would have to say I would not recommend this product.Updated
LOL...
I take back my last comment, user error... this device actually only vents to the back. This is good to know, make sure you have this cooler plate the correct way around
or *you* will be overheating pretty quickly.
