Laptop cooler - the choice of lean users

Modern computers are devices that are quite "voracious" for electricity. The power consumption of a typical desktop gaming computer, together with a modern LED-backlit monitor, even often at rest, often exceeds 100 watts, and during the game (ie, when the load on all components increases dramatically), this figure increases at least 2-3 times .

The power consumption of mobile computers is certainly much lower. This is due, on the one hand, to the need to ensure a long working time of the laptop in an autonomous mode, and on the other hand, it is problematic to remove a large amount of heat from the components packed in a tight plastic (as a rule) housing.

In many cases, the reason for choosing a laptop instead of the usual desktop is either the need for mobility, or the banal lack of space to install a full-fledged computer. In either case, the user is often forced to keep a laptop on his lap while working / playing / reading. Which sometimes this very "laptop" burns pretty well. And strong heating affects not only the comfort of working at the computer. The higher the operating temperature of the "iron", the shorter its service life. And in the case of a hard disk, a prolonged exposure to temperatures above 50 ° C can generally become fatal. To reduce the likelihood of such a sad consequences, the user will need a gadget such as a cooler for a laptop.

The notebook stand-up cooler (namely this form factor is used in these cooling systems) can be made of both metal and plastic or a combination of these two materials. Advantages of the metal are obvious: durability, lightness, more presentable appearance. In addition, the notebook cooler, made of aluminum, is in itself a kind of radiator, cooling the bottom of the computer even without active cooling. But such devices, as a rule, have a higher cost compared to plastic counterparts.

Another parameter that characterizes coolers for a laptop is the size. Obviously, for computers with a screen diagonal of 13.3 "and 17" you need a stand of different sizes. Too much device will be overweight, and too small will not perform its basic functions qualitatively - cooling the bottom of the case and convenient placement of the computer. In addition, a cooler for a laptop that is too large can not trudge into a bag that also fits the size of a mobile computer.

The next important parameter is the type of cooling. It can be passive or active. Passive cooling is absolutely quiet, because There are no moving parts. A cooler for a notebook of this type cools the device, firstly, thanks to the contact with the bottom of the laptop and, secondly, due to the appearance of a gap between the housing and the surface. Active cooling implies the presence of one or more fans, which stimulate the circulation of air under the bottom of the computer. Fans can be of various sizes - from small high-turnover and extremely noisy "carlsons" with a diameter of 40-50 mm to massive 200-250-millimeters. This type of cooling is certainly much more efficient than the passive, but it has two drawbacks:

1. Noise and vibration. Many supports are equipped with a manual speed regulator, manufacturers use hydrodynamic bearings instead of sliding bearings, increase the diameter of the fans used, while reducing their speed, but it is impossible to completely eliminate noise and vibration.
2. Fans require extra power. Usually it is fed from the laptop itself via a USB cable. It can transmit a current of 5 V and a power of up to 0.5 A, which is enough for a "valve" requiring 1-2 W. But this is an additional load on the battery.

Some supports have built-in USB hubs, audio speakers, backlighting, and sometimes even provides space for an external hard drive (usually the size of the disc is limited to 1.8 ", or 2.5"). To support these features, additional power may be required, which is provided by an external power supply. But even eminent manufacturers often "forget" to put it in a box, so the user has to buy a power supply separately.

Of the models, something specific is difficult to recommend, because Manufacturers regularly update their product lines. The main advice is to avoid the products of the well-known Chinese company NoName. Among the most significant players in this market are Zalman, Cooler Master, Antec, Xigmatek, Logitech. Many manufacturers of computer peripherals of the second echelon, such as Trust, Canyon, Belkin also have coolers for laptops in their assortment. Do not disdain the release of these gadgets and some manufacturers of laptops.