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04-07-2009, 10:30 AM
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#1
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,323
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Laptop cooling stand?
I am really no computer expert, but read that it is wise to use a laptop cooling stand as it prevents the unit from overheating and extends the computer's life.
Looking at the following, and wonder if anyone here has any experience with this Belkin Cushtop Notebook Stand: Belkin CushTop - F8N044-GRN - Buy.com. This appears to be foam covered in microfiber, but it did have good reviews as to preventing your laptop from overheating, as well as, saving your legs from burning when the laptop is sitting on your lap.
Or would I be better off purchasing one with an actual fan in it? And, if so, any suggestions as to what type is best? I have been looking at amazon.com, pcnet, cnet, epinions.com and other sites as for suggestions, and can't seem to find "the one" that is best. Any suggestions from you computer pros out there?
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04-07-2009, 10:46 AM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,500
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I use one similar to that. It does a perfect job of keeping my laptop cool and in my case would not benefit from having a fan in it.
Another great thing about it is that it raises my laptop slightly to a slightly more comfortable position, for me. I use it all the time.
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Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.
Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
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04-07-2009, 11:30 AM
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#3
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Nowhere, 43N Latitude, NY
Posts: 9,037
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I saw one of the Belkin cushions at Best Buy the other day. It looks like a great solution. I may invest in one, but the angle may be too great for my own personal ergonomic needs.
Other options
BestBuy.com - Search Results
I don't own any of these.
I currently use a 1/2" thick potholder on my left knee, which elevates the laptop and protects my leg. My leg skin actually discolored a little from the heat before I realized what was going on.
How do you like your leg of Freebird, medium-rare or well done? 
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"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
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04-07-2009, 01:46 PM
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#4
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,323
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I did alot of homework on the Belkin laptop styles made of plastic with fans in them. Lots of positives on them, but the negatives scared me off (i.e., break easy, collapses on you).
__________________
Please consider adopting a rescue animal. So very many need a furr-ever home and someone to love them! And if we all spay/neuter our pets there won't be an overpopulation to put to death.
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04-07-2009, 02:58 PM
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#5
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Central, Ohio, USA
Posts: 2,635
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Here in central Ohio I like it when the Laptop gets warm - It adds comfort to an otherwise cold climate. I use a Dell which does tend to (over time) get pretty warm. However, since I did buy the 3 years warranty (bad experience with a former Toshiba LT) so, until that runs out I do not worry about the thing burning itself up. That being said I think a nice piece of cheap plywood or reasonably thick piece of something like Plexiglas would fill the bill a LOT cheaper than some of the $30 thing with built in USB fans I have seen.
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Vietnam Veteran, CW4 USA, Retired 1979
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04-07-2009, 03:57 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,500
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Now that I'm at home, I checked and mine actually is the Belkin brand so it is exactly the same, Orchidflower. I got it at CompUSA's close-out sale for somewhere between $15-$20, which I guess was a steal. It seemed like a rip-off to me at the time, but it has been worth every cent.
It is virtually indestructible, light, comfortable (at least for me) and does the job.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.
Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
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04-07-2009, 06:10 PM
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#7
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,880
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I got a nice Belkin one for $2 at a garage sale, but I gave it away because I like my pizza pan better. It's exactly like this one:
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Al
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04-07-2009, 07:28 PM
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#8
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Lake Livingston, Tx
Posts: 4,204
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I have one. Has two fans in it and runs off the usb. The cable went out a year or so ago. Laptop is four years old. It has an amd chip and runs about the same temp as a toaster. Only reason I use the pad was to protect my lap. I am not sure how much good it did at protecting the laptop, as it is still going strong without it.
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If it is after 5:00 when I post I reserve the right to disavow anything I posted.
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04-07-2009, 07:45 PM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,125
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I have one and it helps. And I don't worry as much about spilling drinks.
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Angels danced on the day that you were born.
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04-08-2009, 05:20 AM
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#10
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,600
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I recommend:
PC Connection - Liftoff Portable Notebook Cooling Stand
Great for travelers - collapses for compact storage, extremely lightweight, adjustable angle, unbeatable price, does the job!! 
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04-08-2009, 07:43 AM
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#11
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,323
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I checked Amazon.com and Overstock.com for the Kensington PC Connection that Socca recommended. Interestingly those firms are asking for $20-21 plus for the same thing that his link asks for around $13-14. Go figure?
Aren't Amazon and Overstock "supposed" to be discounters? Obviously NOT.
Reviews are pretty decent for this item when I checked, too. Now to make a decision...
__________________
Please consider adopting a rescue animal. So very many need a furr-ever home and someone to love them! And if we all spay/neuter our pets there won't be an overpopulation to put to death.
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04-08-2009, 08:23 AM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,500
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by Orchidflower
I checked Amazon.com and Overstock.com for the Kensington PC Connection that Socca recommended. Interestingly those firms are asking for $20-21 plus for the same thing that his link asks for around $13-14. Go figure?
Aren't Amazon and Overstock "supposed" to be discounters? Obviously NOT.
Reviews are pretty decent for this item when I checked, too. Now to make a decision...
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If you travel, there is no way you could easily pack the Belkin cooler so you should get the other one.
Other things to think about are whether or not you would like the thickness of the Belkin cooler which raises your laptop two or three inches. It would bother me if I was using my laptop on a table, but the thickness is great for me when I use my laptop, well, in my lap.
The Belkin is not only nearly indestructable, it is very lightweight and personally, I like that.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.
Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
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04-08-2009, 04:28 PM
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#13
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,323
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Thanks for the input, Want2retire and all. It surely helps alot.
__________________
Please consider adopting a rescue animal. So very many need a furr-ever home and someone to love them! And if we all spay/neuter our pets there won't be an overpopulation to put to death.
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