notebook coolers - worth it?

Question

i got the inspiron 6000.. and i love the thing but it's a thigh cooker if you know what i mean. i mean the temps seem OK, with the avg CPU temp at 30-5 and RAM at mid 40's, but this thing is too hot to use on my lap.

75% of the time my notebook is on a hard, flat plastic desk. so im comfortable and not too worried about that. but the other 25% of the time i bring my laptop with me to bed, watching tv, or at school, etc... and like i mentioned it does get uncomfortably hot underneath. thing can fry my man eggs if you know what i mean.

are notebook coolers worth it?

obviously they'll make the notebook cooler, and will solve the minor external heat problem. however, is it worth the extra money, AND especially the extra battery power? if so, what are some notebook coolers you guys recommend- that doesnt cost too much money or eat too much battery juice.

thanks in advnace

intrepidxxxx · Answer

Buy a cooler with A/C power , they are the best. Cost under $40.00.

dsbInspiron · Answer

I have the antec usb one, it cost about 25 bucks.  It cools my laptop maybe 2-3 degrees tops. I do think it is like a nice little table when you use it on your lap or something...that is really the only time I use it (I also use it on my desk b/c it raises the laptop about 3 inches higher).  I can't really tell any difference in my battery time with or without it, the battery last around the same time.   Like I said though it does drop temps about 2-3 degrees...which helps some when you are gaming.

adobostreak · Answer

i was referring to the portable USB ones.. when taking the laptop around but thanks for your help tho

NemesisDB · Answer

I also have the antec one. In my experiance the coolers are a complete waste (my antec one's plug doesn't even fit snuggly enough to run consistently).

I get about 2 degrees C drop on my CPU when I'm running heavy games (say 59-60C max instead of 60-61). I'm not sure of the design of the i6000. My i5100's air intake is on the bottom. This means the notebook cooler is blowing air in the wrong direction, so to speak.

That's not to say that pads are a bad idea in general though (especially when the computer is going to be on your lap). My notebook cooler sits on my desk and doesn't help much. The situation is slightly different if you use the notebook mobilly though. The pad will prevent you from blocking an air intake with your leg (which will be very bad for your temps if your system has a bottom intake like mine) and will generally make the notebook feel more comfortable on your lap (as there's some insulation between you and it).

In conclusion, I think that the plain notebook pads are the way to go. You don't really need something with a fan (and believe me, the fans are *very* loud). Any type of hard, flat tray type unit should work great.

NemesisDB · Answer

I mean, maybe if you have a 600m that is being throttled because the ram is getting too hot ... or a dell that doesn't have feet so it can actually make contact with the pad.

personally I always thought the little pc-card fans were kinda cool. they at least supposedly cool the inside of the system.

adobostreak · Answer

hmmm. if it really only lowers temperature by 2-3 degrees, then guess its really not worth it. i really assumed the notebook cooler would have a drastic difference. i mean if i do play games, or operate on other cpu intensive applications, the laptop is usually sitting on my desk, with a mouse and power supply connected to it.

i guess all i really need is some sort of tray when it's resting on my lap then, maily to keep my man eggs from being scrambled sunny-side up

thanks for the input, i appreciate it. i saved myself $25 and some time.

Mazda3coolie · Answer

I have a antec laptop cooler and I don't find a big difference...it keeps it warm instead of HOT...i would recommend looking at other products but it does take down the temp 2-3 degrees i would say...they should come up with something better...the cooler just blows the hot air coming from the laptop back onto the laptop so its not really blowing 'cold' air....   try putting a book underneath ur laptop to blanace it and get the air vents opened..thats all u need

dsbInspiron · Answer

'I also have the antec one.  In my experiance the coolers are a complete waste (my antec one's plug doesn't even fit snuggly enough to run consistently)' I forgot to mention this one...it seems on mine, one slight bump and the adapter plug pops off the fan part of the system...thats the only part of the system that feels cheaply made.

SliceN · Answer

Use this program instead of wasting your money and you will drop 10 degrees. It is used to cool dell notebooks by speeding up or slowing down your fans. i8kfangui220

adobostreak · Answer

heh. im currently using that program to monitor the CPU & RAM temperatures. although it does give me direct control of the notebook fan, it doesn't lower it by 10 degress :P

Mazda3coolie · Answer

whats the best setting that u recommened for the Dell 600m....can u please specify what u set it at to get better cooling performance?   thanks.:smileyhappy:

Teckinno · Answer

The answer to your cooling problem is here: http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=192160   This bag will make you fly.     Message Edited by Teckinno on 06-25-2005 02:56 AM

WhisperPntr · Answer

I've seen other cooler reviews on the net that state differently. I think the most important thing is using a heatsink compound, checking and cleaning your fans and also proping the laptop on a surface other than your thighs. I don't need to worry as I am female, but men out there should definitely worry about the high heat...

adobostreak · Answer

yes. i would love to have children someday.

parkerti · Answer

adobostreak -

You are going overboard with this. Try going to your kitchen and getting a tray - the kind that you carry glasses and stuff on - preferably a rectangular one. turn it upside down and put you notebook on it and you are all set. It works great in bed - put it on top of the blankets, and the edge will kind of hook over your knees and keep the whole thing from sliding around. If you don't have one, they cost about $5 darn near anywhere that sells kitchen stuff. I've been using one for years when I compute in bed - (weekend mornings).

Locked Topics – Laptops General

notebook coolers - worth it?

Was this post helpful?