[Cordance]

Having recently bought a gigabite laptop supporting Pigs sponsors for esports. I have logically come to the next step when one has a laptop. Cooling pad. Im currently looking at thermaltake (what can I say Im a pig fan and supporting his sponsors is a good way to help him out.) However in my searching I have come across something I have no idea about ... notebook cooling pad (fan less design) Im trying to weigh that up against notebook cooling pad (with fan). The main two things Im looking as deciding points are if the fanless design actually works well compared to the fan based version. This performance vs the sound of the fan vs no fan. I plan to mostly use the laptop in places where I can set it on a surface so the extra flexibility of the fanless design is nether a pro or a con.

Thoughts input and information would be much appreciated given I currently have my laptop balanced between two books not that it actually is getting hot Id rather be proactive about this kind of thing.

[breadfan]

You could just point a fan at your desk aimed at your laptop and achieve the same (or better) result. It really doesn't matter, just remember that the goal is to cool by diffusion of heat. So your laptop is still doing the work getting the heat outside of the case, but then it just sits around the laptop. So your decision should probably be based on your environment (do you have a ceiling fan, a good breeze through a window, air con with a high fan speed, etc)

[Meatex]

Basically the fanless types try to absorb the heat from the laptop while the fan having kind tries to disperse the heat.
The fanless kind gets less effective so if you are using it for really long gaming sessions then it may be better to get one with fans as at least from my reading the fan having pads won't cool as much but more consistent

Quick Comments

breadfan:

Well the fanless still disperses it, it just does so by spreading it across the surface area

[eCKo`Tazerenix]

I've bought the thermaltake fan laptop cooling pads for both my brother and sister and they've both found them to be effective at keeping their laptops cool. I'd imagine the fanless design would function less effectively as the laptop heats up more. I'd suggest the pad with the fan.

[syfCabracan]

You should also email the people that you are buying products from and say that you are buying their products because they sponsor Pig.

Quick Comments

Cordance:

Already on it ;)

[Antel0pe]

I found Coolermaster laptop pads really good, mainly due to it being easy to find and such

[x5_Namakaye]

Haven't tested this myself but i'm sure putting your laptop in the fridge would cool it. Just a theory though.

[Cordance]

For those of you with useful answers thanks for the input I expect I will get a fan based pad for normal use and I might lash out and spend another $35 and get the non fan based to see how it works for any long distance travel I do with out power.

Originally Posted by sRNamakaye

Haven't tested this myself but i'm sure putting your laptop in the fridge would cool it. Just a theory though.

The ergonomics of using a laptop in the fridge means that my posture is bad and the constant pressure of the door on my right arm is not good for circulation. Not to mention moisture and laptops dont seem to mix. Finally the last reason laptops are dirty I dont want it around my food.

[TABjornbrandr]

While having a cooler room helps, the major advantage of cooling pads is that they also tend to elevate the laptop and allow more air-flow underneath. If you've ever had a laptop before, you'll notice that the bottom is what gets the hottest as there's sweet **** all air-flow.
If you do want to just use a room fan, make sure you at least raise the laptop up with something; even if it's not an official laptop stand, use two small blocks or small books on either side.

[FSDarkNemesis]

I use my own cooling platform custom DIY by my Dad.

[|Erasmus|]

Originally Posted by Cordance

For those of you with useful answers thanks for the input I expect I will get a fan based pad for normal use and I might lash out and spend another $35 and get the non fan based to see how it works for any long distance travel I do with out power.

Most of them are powered by USB. A fan or two doesn't draw much power. It's more the size that is a pain for travel. Good ones act as a USB hub too, which is nice. So you can leave a kb/mouse/etc. plugged into the dock and just pull out one usb cable when you move it around. I did that for a few years when a laptop was my only computer, and it's so convenient.