Monday, February 11, 2008

WHAT IS A LAPTOP COOLER?

Above is a new Laptop Cooler diagram that illustrates how a laptop is placed on top of a laptop cooler.

What is a Laptop Cooler?
Now that's a very good question and my answer is as follows: A
laptop cooler is a device that is used to cool or maintain the temperature of a "laptop" or notebook computer. The most common form of a laptop cooler is a rectangular platform that sits underneath the laptop computer. A laptop cooler typically has one or more built-in fans to facilitate the cooling process, however, they do not have to have any fans at all. In addition, some laptop coolers don't sit underneath the laptop but instead sit behind or to the side of the laptop. In fact, there is even a new device that plugs into and clips to the side of a laptop computer. It has a nozzle that rotates 180 degrees. The nozzle is supposed to suck out the hot air and shoot it out to the atmosphere. I haven't tested the little laptop cooler, but I find it hard to believe that a little fan sitting on one side of the laptop could provide adequate cooling.

Why are most Laptop Coolers come in a Rectangular Platform?

I think the best solution is a light weight rectangular platform that you can pack along with your laptop or notebook computer. I also think that fan enhanced cooling is the way to go. There are many good laptop coolers out there and I would think that any rectangular platform with built-in fans will provide adequate cooling, but then there is another factor and that is "balanced cooling". What is balanced cooling? Balanced cooling is how well the placement of the fans match the location of the hot spots on the bottom of your laptop or notebook computer. The hot spots include your hard drive, processor, battery, and DVD drive. A good example of a balanced laptop cooler is a three (3) laptop cooler that has the three fans arranged in a pyramid (triangle) fashion. Another good example is a four (4) laptop cooler like the QuadCooler, which does an excellent job of providing balanced cooling to a laptop computer. All in all, there are many laptop cooling products out there, but you can educate yourself by searching the internet for more product information.

Laptop Battery - Above is a cartoon version of a laptop battery with a sad face or frown.

Does it Drain my Battery?
Most laptop coolers are powered by the USB port on the laptop or notebook computer. That means they are actually powered by either the laptop's AC adapter or the laptop battery. Therefore, if you are plugged into the wall via the AC adapter, then the laptop cooler draining your battery will not be an issue. And no it will not drain enough AC juice to have a big effect on your utility bill. Now if you run your laptop in portable mode (not plugged in the wall) then, yes, the laptop cooler will have an effect on your battery time. However, the good news is that it doesn't have huge effect. In addition, on some laptop coolers like the QuadCooler for example, you can power down (on/off switch) the unit and use it un-powered mode which still provides an air gap below the laptop and it also provides a heat shield between your lap (legs) and the hot computer. Furthermore, the QuadCooler can also be powered by an optional AC adapter. The only problem with the AC adapter is that you end up with an extra cord, which adds to a clutter of cables.

2011 QuadCooler.com - QuadCooler Information Series - What is a Laptop Cooler?

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