Air Condition Your Laptop Vol. 1 - No. 1

I’ve come across various “laptop coolers” in my travels. These are plastic or aluminum platforms that sit under your laptop, containing a blower fan or two. The blower is powered from one of your USB ports, providing extra cooling for your computer.

There are two main styles, one which pulls air downward and out the bottom of the cooler, another which moves air through a vent in the back. The second kind protects your legs or tabletop from a blast of hot air.

I like them. You should consider them in a few situations:

1. If you have a low-cost laptop –

Some low cost laptops are built with “desktop” CPU and support chips, which cost less than “mobile” chips. These chips are designed for regular PC’s that have lots of space inside for fans and heatsinks. Laptops don’t have room for this cooling equipment, so the power management software in the laptop has to help reduce the heat. In this situation, the computer will automatically slow down the CPU when it gets too hot. This lets the battery last longer between charges and produces less heat. It also means that the computer can slow down right when you want it as fast as possible.

Using an external cooler with this kind of computer helps draw heat out of the case and keep the innards cool. When the computer is cool, the power management software will let it run faster.

2. If you have an expensive laptop –

If your laptop has dual processors, a 64-bit CPU, or is set up for gaming, it will have some sophisticated -- and toasty -- hardware inside. Extra cooling can help to extend the life of your computer and make it more reliable.

3. If your computer stops for a "coffee break" –

If your laptop occasionally freezes for no apparent reason, it may be due to overheating. Modern computers are designed to stop running when they are very hot, to avoid internal damage. Once the machine cools off, it usually runs fine again. An external cooler can help keep your laptop from locking up.

4. If your computer is uncomfortable –

If you use your laptop on your lap, an external cooler can keep you off the hot seat. Most laptops have certain hot spots: near the fan, near the hard drive, along the connectors, etc. An external cooler can help to make the machine more comfortable to hold and to handle.

Please note: Any trademarks and trade names of others mentioned in this message are the property of their owners, and not Stoney Hill Associates, LLC. We respect the intellectual property of others. The information provided is believed to be reliable, but we cannot guarantee that the procedures and information given here will work correctly for your specific situation.

If you would like help with a computer or software problem you face, contact us. Send an email to request@stoneyhillassociates.com.

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