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 computer 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 don't 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.
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's 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 an 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.
