- Back to homepage
- Related articles
  Related articles

7 Notebook Coolers Compared and Tested

Cooling/VGA & Other Cooling by jmke @ 2008-04-07

With the majority of PC shipments being laptops it is time to find out how you can effectively keep them running cool. In this comparison review we test seven different notebook coolers from Zalman, Vantec, Spire, Sunbeamtech, Revoltec and Antec.

Vantec LapCool 5

Vantec LapCool 5

The LapCool 5 is but one of Vantec many notebook accessories, the unit reviewed here is available in three different colors, red, blue and black.

Weighing in at ~350 gram this cooler is also quite compact and comes with no less than three USB 2.0 ports.

Madshrimps (c)

Two fans blow cool air onto the bottom of your laptop, while rubber feet at both sides make sure the LapCool 5 remains in place.

Madshrimps (c)

On one side you get all the connectors, Vantec allows you to power the unit with either a small USB connector or power plug. (both cables included)

Madshrimps (c)

The other side of the unit has the fan speed controller, a rheobus which allows you to fine tune the speed of the fans:

Madshrimps (c)

The low profile of the LapCool 5 keeps your laptop only slightly tilted forward. With 17” laptop, access to the fan control will be harder.

Madshrimps (c)

Comment from grs1961 @ 2008/04/09

Good comparison, but, for me, it left out one important test: How do the coolers behave when used *on* a lap. Are they even *usable* in that sense.

Some of us still use our laptops (even the aircraft carriers) on our laps.

Comment from jmke @ 2008/04/09

check the bottom of each cooler to see how it's formed. I think of the ones in the review only the Antec is flat enough at the bottom to be used on your lap. The others are either too small, or made to be used on a desk

Comment from Kougar @ 2008/04/09

The Antec cooler should be avoided, I tried one. As you said, it is to small for 17" laptops. Additionally one of the fans wore out after exactly 1 year, makes an insane racket to try and use it. Still under the 3 year warranty, assuming you kept the original purchase receipt which I didn't. I wouldn't want to even pay shipping to warranty it anyway, not worth it in my opinion.

All information and graphics contained in Madshrimps are sole property of the Madshrimps crew and may not be reproduced or copied in any manner without written permission from us.