Laptop coolers

[sneekypeet]

Plugging the USB2.0 into the laptop does not typically increase the load to the device in any significant amount that is measurable by software. The real issue I have with USB powered coolers is when you are mobile, as it does tax the battery reserves. (At least in my experience.)

Performance depends entirely on the laptop in question. I tested a bunch with a laptop with older Core2 architecture, and no matter the cooler, it made 2-3 degrees difference. There were proper bottom vents in this laptop as well. I also looked around the net to see what others were getting, and found the lower power the device is to start, the more effective he coolers were.

To me the real benefit of these cooling pads is being able to raise the laptop to where the screen is more level with your eyes in a natural seated position.

One side note. If you do end up using the cooler USB ports, never flash firmware for said device while connected to them! It either corrupts the chip or can actually brick the device as well.

 

[AsRock]

Got one of these Thermaltake Massive's http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...rmaltake_laptop_cooler-_-34-991-161-_-Product for my fiance. It works well keeping temperatures tolerable in the system, even under load.

Some people say they don't work. Anecdotally, i can say they do.

I used to use one of those for my Dell 17" but stopped as seen as my daughter stopped playing minecraft on it so i just use it to cool down my A/V .

As for as other laptop coolers always will go for ones with a large fan.

 

[GreiverBlade]

Come on dude! I said, "Every phone I have seen". You are so ate up to prove you are right, you are now telling everyone what "I" have seen! You say I am wrong, then mention the Nokia showing I am right!

And STILL, every phone "I" have seen uses a mini or micro USB connector. So while phone owners may be able to use the charger that came with their phone, cooling pads use standard USB connectors. So they will STILL need a different cable, or a mini/micro to standard adapter anyway. So you are still wrong - unless their phone uses a standard USB port and I don't know of any, including Nokias, that do.

But that is STILL not the point!!!!

woah calm down ... Nokia is just an exception also if every phone "you" have seen use a mini/micro then you seen only exceptions most of the current one use a wall charger with a A port on it.
i was not trying to prove that i am right no worries, you are the one who is right (in his way ) tho i am still not wrong as you imply as not "every" phone charger use a mini/micro (not even mini ... only micro)
still nope ... no need for a adapter, in 85-90% of the case

and i got your point about the demand on power circuitry (even if it's infinitesimal )

tho i don't really care i just wanted to write : "ok you're right"

ps: look carefully at the picture i did put of a LG charger ... you see? a USB A connector ... the Micro is only on the phone ... and you don't use the phone to power the laptop cooler (tho i use a OTG adapter micro to USB A to power a led light on my LG G Flex 2 for night shot )

also not the point of the topic: Laptop cooler, that is.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Plugging the USB2.0 into the laptop does not typically increase the load to the device in any significant amount that is measurable by software.

Significant? Maybe! Maybe not! But measurable? Sure!

Of course much depends on the fan used. Note rtwjunkie's TT Massive 23 cooler has a rated current value of .21 amps. While that may only be 1.5W, it will place a greater demand and increase heat. To a significant degree? That depends on other factors for that specific notebook and how it is currently being used, and in what environment.

BUT - note that many of these notebooks are, in effect, USB hubs too. So potentially, there is the cooler's fan (or fans) plus other connected devices too. And note if USB 3.0 (and now 3.1) the potential increases in current demand do go up significantly. This cooler has 4 x 140mm fans plus two USB ports. This cooler has built in speakers (including a woofer), plus 4 extra USB ports, with a full 1A rated current requirement. That is significant and measurable.

The real issue I have with USB powered coolers is when you are mobile, as it does tax the battery reserves. (At least in my experience.)

If it taxes the battery reserves in a noticeable manner, then the increase in load can't be insignificant. Is it enough to cause the system to overheat and throttle down in performance? Maybe. Maybe not. But it is enough to warrant, IMO, using an external power source when possible.

Obviously, it will not always be possible to connect to external power.

 

[sneekypeet]

That is significant and measurable.

Reread Bill. I never said the power variations weren't measurable. The heat it causes overall is not

Notice I did not quote you, so it was not a reply to you, but rather the OP. Most people don't give two shits about the power draw unless A) they cannot power all devices they want, or B) as I stated, it eats the battery too fast.

 

[erixx]

The ultimate mistake, combine laptops and these fan abortions on the road having battery issues! How """cool"""! hahahahahahahahaha I repeat: Do you crunch or benchmark with a notebook? Do all housewifes with notebooks in the kitchen, all kids that are learning with the laptop need this plasticky b.s. ?

 

[Bill_Bright]

Reread Bill. I never said the power variations weren't measurable. The heat it causes overall is not

Ummm, I did reread it. Now I ask that you please reread what you said, and my reply. From post #26 you said,

Plugging the USB2.0 into the laptop does not typically increase the load to the device in any significant amount that is measurable by software.

Sorry, but you did say it is not measurable. An increase in load is a variation in power. And that is measurable. And when the load increases, so does the heat. And that too is measurable. Now whether that added heat amounts to such a significant degree that the CPU cooler cannot compensate and it throttles depends on many variables, including the specific pad, the notebook, the load to start, the temperature to start, and the ambient temp.

I do agree 100% that the increase in load can be significant enough to noticeably reduce battery runtime. I am just says if we can agree that that is true, then why can't the added heat be noticeable too?

I repeat: Do you crunch or benchmark with a notebook? Do all housewifes with notebooks in the kitchen, all kids that are learning with the laptop need this plasticky b.s. ?

So because you don't need one with your specific notebook, a ROG that was designed specifically for gamers, no one needs one?

While cooks may not be tasking their systems hard, ambient temps in kitchens can be significantly higher than most other places we spend out time in. Kids, on the other hand, don't think of cooling or allowing air to circulate underneath and they are more likely to use their notebooks on their beds, on thick carpet or sofa upholstery. So yeah, they would be good candidates for these pads.

 

[sneekypeet]

An increase in load is a variation in power

In a book of technicalities maybe Bill, but again, I wasn't speaking of power, I was speaking of thermal changes with or without the USB in use. Just because I posted similar terminology to your post, you feel it is some sort of an attack on your point. Again, had I quoted you I could see this angle, but twice now you are trying to pick apart something rather than listening to the provided answers. Please stay on topic, and leave me out of your inferences from now on please.

To answer the last bit of your comment. It is the testing I have done on many variations of laptop coolers that makes me say with them running or not plugged in, never did that specific event change the thermal results shown in software for either the CPU or the GPU. They do however change if the cooler is running and is under the device, in which case, most coolers I tested were good for about 2-3 degrees in reduction to the specific model laptop used in said testing. Sorry but personal experience is keeping me from agreeing to something that is not the same as what I have found to be true. Not a personal attack on you. I just have my testing and results, and am in belief that my methods are solid. That is all.

 

[erixx]

Bill or Billy: I have had lowly business HP's and Lenovo's before: NO NEED. Stuff the nonsense!

 

[Bill_Bright]

you feel it is some sort of an attack on your point.

No I don't. Why must you turn this into something personal? That is how threads degrade into messes. This IS a technical discussion. It is about technicalities - not blanket statements that are always full of exceptions.

Bill or Billy: I have had lowly business HP's and Lenovo's before: NO NEED. Stuff the nonsense!

Right. Like that tone helps move things along. So again, you claim because you have experience with HPs and Lenovo's and because you did not need a cooling pad, you place yourself as THEE authority to declare no one needs them. Yeah right.

Stuff the nonsense yourself. You don't speak for everyone in every scenario.

 

[erixx]

This is just "rob-us-our-dollars-gadgets" Do you not understand littleherring? After mousepads hysteria, this is candidate to the stupidest product EVER!

 

[taz420nj]

Come on dude! I said, "Every phone I have seen". You are so ate up to prove you are right, you are now telling everyone what "I" have seen! You say I am wrong, then mention the Nokia showing I am right!

And STILL, every phone "I" have seen uses a mini or micro USB connector. So while phone owners may be able to use the charger that came with their phone, cooling pads use standard USB connectors. So they will STILL need a different cable, or a mini/micro to standard adapter anyway. So you are still wrong - unless their phone uses a standard USB port and I don't know of any, including Nokias, that do.

But that is STILL not the point!!!!

Yes, the PHONE has a micro-B port, but as @GreiverBlade said pretty much all phones from the past several years (due to increasing power requirements) are coming with the 1.1 or 2.4 amp cube or brick style charger, which has a standard USB-A female port and they come with a A to micro-B cable which can be used for charging or data. Only the cheapo non-Android/non-Apple flip phones that require 500mA or less still come with the 'cord attached' charger.

As for the OP, the laptop coolers do make a difference, but the big issue is that 99% of them are just wired to draw off the port's power with no regulation.. As the fan ages and the bearing wears out/gets clogged with dust, it draws more and more current, which can eventually exceed the 500mA rating and burn out the port. I've seen this countless times. It's always best to power it off an external supply or self-powered hub.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Yes, the PHONE has a micro-B port, but...

Yes, but... these pads don't!!!!!!!!!!! They have standard, full sized USB ports which, as I have been stating STILL means you MUST use something else besides the charger and cable that you use for your phone. Why are you burying your head in the sand and refusing to see that? Why are you continuing to argue a senseless point NO ONE, including me, is contesting?

My point remains unchanged! For about the 10th time,

The point is, to avoid adding even more demands on the notebook's power circuits you are trying to cool, use an external power source when possible.

So if that means is your phone charger with the appropriate cable, GREAT!!!! But if your phone does NOT use as standard USB connector (as most don't - as you said!), you must adapt - and use the correct cable. If your phone charger does not allow you to swap cables, then you MUST use a whole new adapter.

 

[taz420nj]

Yes, but... these pads don't!!!!!!!!!!! They have standard, full sized USB ports which, as I have been stating STILL means you MUST use something else besides the charger and cable that you use for your phone. Why are you burying your head in the sand and refusing to see that? Why are you continuing to argue a senseless point NO ONE, including me, is contesting?

Ummmmmmmmmmmm.. Dude...... Try reading past the first 8 words before you start your response. The port on the phone is irrelevent. You are not plugging the fan into the PHONE, you are NOT using the phone cord, so who gives a shit what port the PHONE has??

My point remains unchanged! For about the 10th time, So if that means is your phone charger with the appropriate cable, GREAT!!!! But if your phone does NOT use as standard USB connector (as most don't - as you said!), you must adapt - and use the correct cable. If your phone charger does not allow you to swap cables, then you MUST use a whole new adapter.

And your point remains WRONG! It does not matter if the PHONE has a mini-B, micro-B, Lightning, RJ-11, or XLR. The CHARGER has a female USB-A, which accepts the USB-A male plug on the fan! Jesus Christ it's not that difficult!

I have a Galaxy S5. This is my charger. The same style charger pretty much every smartphone has come with for years.

See? You don't have to use the phone cord at all, you unplug the phone cord and there is a USB-A port that the fan will plug directly into. No adapter needed.

This is a stock iPhone charger. Same thing.

On the go? Plug the fan into one of these:

 

[GreiverBlade]

On the go? Plug the fan into one of these:

yep i use that one for mine (solar cell + 6000mAh battery)


well ... another one who contest (also ... "Why are you continuing to argue a senseless point NO ONE, including me, is contesting?" made me laugh ... because he's the only one since almost all other user in the thread contest )
i think it's pointless to try to explain him that...

oh well one more for the road and then i unsubscribe.

but if your phone does NOT use as standard USB connector (as most don't - as you said!), you must adapt - and use the correct cable. If your phone charger does not allow you to swap cables, then you MUST use a whole new adapter.

you realize that those cooler pad use a USB A connector and what we show you since the start are standard charger include with smartphone and tablet that have a ... USB A connector? WHAT adapter? you don't even need one... you just remove the USB A to MICRO B cable and plug the pad directly ...

another batch of pics

1st pics in the thread

a ... phone charger (Samsung) posted by the OP : USB A connector...


my LG G Watch R charger (smartwatch): USB A connector...


another Samsung and a Apple charger: USB A connector
and they do like that since 2007 since you need the cable for data transfer from the PC so it double as a charger cable to no be a waste, Nokia is doing it wrong Samsung does it , but only for low end devices.

Shield tablet wall charger (i kept the one from my battery defective unit ) 5V 2A the one that i use for my cooler pad and many other usb powered device (such as Raspberry Pi 2 or Beaglebone Black )

what do we see? except the convenient swap-able plug, yes indeed USB A connector

 

[Bill_Bright]

Christ it's not that difficult!

To get you to understand that not all chargers are the same, yes it is!

The port on the phone is irrelevent. You are not plugging the fan into the PHONE, you are NOT using the phone cord, so who gives a shit what port the PHONE has??

Ummm, dude! I am NOT wrong. You are assuming EVERY phone charger for every phone has a detachable cord - and thus it is just a simple matter of changing cords to get the right USB connector to power the pad.

OEM Verizon LG Smartphone Charger with hardwired cable and connector. This will NOT work with a pad!!!!!!!!!

Motorola charger with hardwired cable and connector.

ZTE Charger with hardwired cable and connector.

Samsung charger with hardwired cable and connector.

Car charger with hardwired cable and connector.

I have a Galaxy S5. This is my charger.

So now you too? You think you represent everybody??? That your experiences and needs apply to all???

It does not matter how experienced any of "us" are! Just because something is this way it is for us, or works for us, that does not mean it applies to everyone else. In fact, assume your situation is unique. Do your homework before calling others wrong.

 

[P4-630]

Hmm.... As I showed before, I have this charger, so I should be fine:

 

[Bill_Bright]

As I showed before, I have this charger, so I should be fine:

Yep! That should work just fine - assuming you are near a wall outlet!

Don't do what I did. I was running my notebook off battery, but plugged my pad into a wall outlet. Then forgot and started to walk off. My trusty Toshiba nearly broke my toe - but I suspect my toe saved my Toshiba.

 

[taz420nj]

SMFH

 

[xvi]

Ok this is not about a laptop cooler, but it shows that cooling the bottom of a laptop helps:

Specs of the laptop cooler I ordered: Air Flow Rate (CFM) 60.528 / 79.152 (+/- 10%)

I don't think ventilation on the MacBooks is all that great (basically form over function). You're right though, this does show that gains can be had by adding cooling to the underside of a laptop. I'd imagine other laptops with proper vents on the bottom wouldn't benefit as much from it though. I suppose all that can be done is to test it is to try it out.

When researching the standard cooling design, I ran across this forum thread over on MacRumors where someone added some really basic vents to their macbook with decent results.