Suggestions for laptop cooling pads.

Ryan, I am one of the unfortunates who purchased a Dell XPS-M1710 gaming Laptop, only to find out (shortly after warranty expired) that the Nvidia graphics cards had inferior solder joints that melted over time. All this was caused by HEAT! Once they melted to a certain point, contact was lost and-----------no picture----no assistance from Dell or Nvidia, and EVERYONE who purchased ANY laptop with any (more than one) of the affected Nvidia cards was basically out of luck. Class action Lawsuits are starting! I tell you this because several of us who now have dead Laptops have been trying to find fixes. The first step was to download a small and FREE program called I8KFangui. This small program allows you to control your Laptop fan speeds (both CPU and GPU if you have a dedicated graphics card). Just a small increase in speed can equate to much lower temps. I would rather have to replace a fan because it wore out, than a graphics card. If you will be using the cooler on your Desk, then I like the Zalman solution---something like model ZM-NC1500W. No need for batteries, the cooler draws power for its two fans directly from your Laptop's USB port, and the cooler's fan speeds can be adjusted with a simple dial. Be very alert for one thing----what direction do the cooler's fans need to blow? Most Laptops pull air in from the bottom but I have seen some that blow air OUT of the bottom. You need to make sure that the cooler's fans are not fighting the Laptop's fans! That being said, you should be in great shape with a good cooler and slightly increased fan speeds. Pete

First off, you might benefit from some of the tips mentioned in this existing *Lockergnome.net* thread: http://lockergnome.net/questions/23917/how-can-i-keep-my-laptop-from-overheating

My response to you includes a portion of my response to that question, since you're asking specifically about cooling pads.

It's not an active cooling type pads that requires batteries and runs a fan, so I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for -- When I'm out and about, I use a Podium CoolPad which isn't an active "cooling pad", it just elevates the laptop slightly and angles it for better working angle; you can even buy a small travel size that fits easily in a laptop sleeve pocket. On my desk, when I'm stationary, I use this stand (mStand by Rain) to elevate and allow airflow under & around my MacBook Pro:

Example photo:

All you really need is a fast moving air cooled fan. You can check more info at both:

www.3dgameman.com > laptop pad, cooling.

I use this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834993371&cm_re=laptop_cooling_pad-_-34-993-371-_-Product

The Zalmon Cooling pad is good. http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Ultra-Quiet-Notebook-Cooler-ZM-NC1000/dp/B000JSFT0Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277270907&sr=8-2-spell

I have a 5 year old HP Pavilion ze4904us that has a heating problem...

I previously used an ICE BAG from Walgreen's but refilling it became bothersome then I purchased a Belkin Laptop Cooling Stand for $25 from Office MAX

Whatever you do, DON'T GO FOR A MICROSOFT cooling base. I have one and it is REALLY ineffective. It's a complete waste. Also, try to avoid HP laptops. I really like HP laptops except for them OVERHEATING like crazy. Also, you could try SpeedFan, http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php Cheers

Beldon is a really good one -why i must write 50 characters i don't know

I purchased the passive - "ThermaPAK HS13A 13-Inch Laptop Cooling Heatshift Pad (Black)" for $27.99 from Amazon for my 10 inch Toshiba Netbook with the new ATOM processor and I noticed immediate performance improvements in the Netbook speed. The pad is thin, light and it has crystals in the pad, as the laptop heats up the crystals dissolve into a liquid form after a few hours use, the pad is good for 6-8 hours of use and requires no power and it does not have any fans. It only takes about 30 minutes for the pad to return the liquid back into crystals for use. They sell 15" and 17" models. I would highly recommend this, prior to getting the pad my small Netbook generated so much heat when I used it on my lap that I had to stop using it as I sat in my recliner. Since Feb 2010 the pad has worked beautifully with no problems.