Antec USB-Powered Notebook Cooler
by Antec
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List Price: Our Price: $16.99 You Save: $27.00 (61%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $15.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Antec USB-Powered Notebook Cooler
Customer Review: USB Power Cord Shorted Out, Noisy, Light Distracting
Summary: 2 Stars
I purchased 2 of these. One for our DirecTV DVR, which got so hot in a cabinet, it melted the veener off the shelf. The other was for for my laptop. The unit for the DVR is working fine, however, it is noticibly noisy. You can hear the fan even over the hard drive in the DVR unit. Also, when it is dark in the room, you can see the blue glow of the LED.
On the laptop unit, it remains in a fixed location on a credenza. Again, the fan is noisy enough, you have to turn up the TV or music to hear and the blue light is distracting as it shines out into the room. In addition after owning this unit for about 9 months, the USB power cable has become frayed at the connector and now the unit no longer works. I'm not sure how it would take heavy use if this unit is already dead after 9 months with very light use.
Overall, I would not purchase these notebook coolers again. It is probably worth a few extra dollars to get a version with a quieter fan and the ability to turn the LED light off. The units have not lived up to my expectations for an Antec product. I have purchase PC cases, power supplies and other Antec accessories and have been very pleased, but these do not.
**Update 11-11-2010** Second unit died today. Fan started making a loud noise and just quit. This is the second of two I had ordered and now neither is working. Not impressed considering the quality of products I wouild expect from Antec. My first 2 computer builds were with an Antec case, power supply and fans. Both rocked, these coolers are just disappointments.
Customer Review: Phenomenal product for hot-running laptops
Summary: 5 Stars
The title of the review about sums it up: what a PHENOMENAL product. Just the right size to transport in the inner sleeve of a laptop bag and powerful enough to keep my Dell Inspiron 600m markedly cooler (prior to using the Antec, my laptop was running inordinately hot on the underside of the casing to the extent that there are scorch marks on the plastic). Having already lost a motherboard from over-heating, the search for a cooling solution carried some urgency. After eight hours of trial operation, I found the Antec USB-Powered Notebook Cooler did the job quietly and efficiently, reducing internal and ambient laptop temperatures by at least 10-15 degrees.
As far as construction, the Antec is lightweight and durable (an aluminum faceplate aids in the heat dissipation, while other manufacturers tend to use a less-efficient plastic design). Fan noise, even on the highest setting, projects no louder than the internal processor fan of my laptop. A few online forum complaints have arisen pertaining to the USB cable and some clarification is due. While the cable is of a lighter gauge, it should hold up without incident under normal operations. A pass-through USB connection bridges off the back of the Antec cable also: a well-thought-out consideration for those needing that extra port for peripherals.
From where this appreciative consumer stands (or sits, as the case may be), I have absolutely no complaints whatsoever. Thank you to Antec for offering such a remarkable cooling solution for mobile users who need to keep working long hours.
Customer Review: not a miracle, but still a good gadget
Summary: 4 Stars
I looked into buying this gadget because of all the heat that my laptop was generating. the weather was already getting hot in the middle of April, and my folks weren't going to turn on the air conditioner -- and so my laptop was billowing out heat like a furnace! My computer wasn't starting to fail or anything like that, but I was worried about it. I ended up buying this cooling pad,and it does help a little bit. I don't completely agree with some of the reviews here that mentioned that it doesn't help any if you have a laptop that has its cooling vents on the side, because I think it can -- the bottom of my laptop usually gets very hot, and putting the pad underneath has helped. Before I put that pad in, the air coming out of the side vent was very hot, and the fan always had to kick up into its fastest mode. After I put the pad underneath, the fan didn't have to kick up into its fastest mode anymore, and it didn't feel like it was pushing out fire anymore. LOL
I'd have to say that this gadget has helped a bit, but it's not a miracle. Still, though, if you really care about extending the life of your equipment, and possibly making your equipment less sluggish, it's probably worth the 30 bucks.
PS: I use speech recognition software on my computer on a regular basis, and I have noticed an improvement in the recognition time between when I say words, and when they come up on the screen. I don't know if this has to do with heat being taken away from the processor, but it may. I've heard that heat can cause a processor to slow down.
Customer Review: Great when quiet
Summary: 3 Stars
When my old laptop cooling pad broke, I decided to get a higher quality one when I got my new laptop and the Antec Notebook Cooler was what I ended up getting. Setting it up for the first time (and every time after) was a breeze, and having four rubber pegs to place the laptop on made sure that it was level and elevated to help cool it. The metal on the top also helped keep my laptop cooler, and the many holes really helped keep in ventilated. There is also two settings for cooling, which is great when you only need moderate cooling for average use and more for when you are really using computing power. The USB plug was great, as you are able to plug something else in and not have the port blocked! However there is small blue light that is next to the power cord when it is on, but it is only a minor annoyance (don't notice it most of the time). Also the rubber pegs can fall out kind of easily, so every time my laptop felt wobbly I would make sure to check that they were all still there. However my biggest complaint (and what made me rate it 3 stars) was the fact that after a few months the cooling pad would make a lot of noise for no reason. If it is plugged in when I start my computer it gets really loud, and I have to shift my laptop and keep plugging it and unplugging it in to get it to stop (it stays quiet once it does though). This was really annoying as it can get loud, so much so that it is disrupting. Overall as long as it isn't making noise then it is a great cooling pad, otherwise it is a good cooling pad once you can get it to quiet down.Customer Review: Not bad, given the price I paid!
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased the Notebook Cooler approximately one month ago, after reading online testimonials of laptops becoming damaged from overheating. Thankfully, the same time I read that, Circuit City was having a sale on this item for only $15, after mail-in rebate. Fast forward one month and my opinion of the Cooler so far: not bad...
My laptop is noticeably cooler to the touch now, and the internal fan rarely comes on. The Notebook Cooler itself is smartly designed, with an aluminum topping and two fans that draw away heat. I'll admit, the USB connector cable is a bit flimsy, and I can see why some folks have complained. For those users who travel frequently (or anyone who foresees plugging and unplugging the cable often), you may want to exercise extra caution. The blue LED light that some reviewer claims is too "strong" is a minor quibble--if you really wanted to, you could always tape over the light and problem solved. As for the fan noise, I would say the low setting is comparable to "white noise," which you don't really notice until you purposely try to listen for it! The high setting, on the other hand, is a bit loud, and I can see people having to turn up the volume on their speakers or TV to compensate. Usually, though, I only use the high setting when it's really hot in the room, or if I'm running intensive programs like Photoshop or some video game.
Overall, I'd say I'm very satisfied with this product. (Though, I am somewhat disappointed that Antec needs 3 months to process my $15 rebate check.)