Customer Reviews

Antec Unbeatable Notebook Cooler 200

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I purchased this (sadly the day before the price dropped) after searching hundreds of other laptop coolers. The mass majority of the coolers availible are only practical on desktop/tabletop flat surfaces. This one was pitched to be comfortable using in your lap as well.

I used this bad boy right out of the box plugging it into the back of my Toshiba Qosmio F55-Q04. I love the Toshiba, but the clocking of it has the internal fan running full blast 99% of the time. The heat out put coming out of the back of the unit could pop corn.

So, plugging this laptop cooler into it and sitting it on my lap I found it rested well with the one big fan between my legs. I set the fan speed to low and began loading programs and downloading software while site surfing and chatting as well as playing some games.

Only one time did the Toshiba's fan even kick in...and then only for a second. I cannot recomend this enough.

It would be perfect if it had USB Port hub, perhaps the folks at Antec will take this into consideration on their future productions.

It has an illuminated LED light(s) around the fan which appear cool. That can also be turned off and on.

Pros: Packaged nicely. Sturdy construction. Super quiet fan. Comfortable in lap.

Con: No USB port hub. So if you do not have the extra port to plug this in, you will be limited.

sends plenty of cool air towards the bottom of my macbook. the internal temp isn't affected much, but I use smcFancontrol for that. it does make a big difference in the external temp, though--it keeps the bottom of my macbook cool and since it is raised it has good air flow. if any of you own a macbook, you know how hot the bottom of the laptop can get, and this fan helps keep it cool. actually, after running an internal temp test with and without the cooler, it did cool about 3-6 degrees, which is pretty substantial for a macbook. also, the stand has "handlebars" on the sides so it makes it easy to pick up and move to a different desk or place in your lap. I don't consider this a portable cooler though, but it does work very nicely at home.

I purchased this item after carefully reading reviews from other users, as well as looking into other fan coolers. The review that sold this to me was the video review that carefully goes over every aspect of this fan. I purchased it with the 5-9 shipping option and received it the very next day (from Newegg). Having used it now for one year I have to admit I remain as impressed as I was the first day I turned it on. Everything works as it should and continues to do so. My laptop is 17.3" and it fits on the cooler perfectly.

My only complaint is that when I put my laptop in sleep (which I do constantly) I have to unplug the cooler because it won't automatically shut off. However, the reviews warned me of this so I knew what to expect. By now I'm used to unplugging it and don't give it much thought.

Now for the benchmark test. I noticed a review that tried to down-play the cooling capabilities of this cooler. Because of this I performed my own test.

Hardware Used During Testing
HPdv7 Laptop 17.3"
4 GB RAM
500 GB 5400 RPM HD
*To capture temperature I used HWMonitor from CPUID.

I performed six tests and recorded the GPU (Video Card) and CPU (Processor) during each test. Each test was performed in the game Left 4 Dead 2 (exact same level) on a resolution of 1600x900 and at Maximum graphics (including max Anti-Aliasing and Anisotropic Filtering). After each test I waited for the laptop to reach the control temperature of:
GPU: 53 Degrees Celsius
CPU: 60 Degrees Celsius
before proceeding to the next test.

TEST 1 - Idle, Placed on Table (No Fan)

While the computer was idle and placed on a flat surface (table):
GPU: 53 Degrees Celsius
CPU: 60 Degrees Celsius

TEST 2 - Under Load, Placed on Table (No Fan)

Towards the end of the level with the computer placed on a flat surface (table):
GPU: 86 Degrees Celsius
CPU: 98 Degrees Celsius

TEST 3 - Idle, Placed on Fan (Fan OFF)

While the computer was idle and placed on the fan with the fan turned off (not plugged in):
GPU: 53 Degrees Celsius
CPU: 60 Degrees Celsius

TEST 4 - Under Load, Placed on Fan (Fan OFF)

Towards the end of the level and placed on the fan with the fan turned off (not plugged in):
GPU: 83 Degrees Celsius
CPU: 94 Degrees Celsius

TEST 5 - Idle, Placed on Fan (Fan ON)

While the computer was idle and placed on the fan with the fan turned on:
GPU: 51 Degrees Celsius
CPU: 59 Degrees Celsius

TEST 6 - Under Load, Placed on Fan (Fan ON)

Towards the end of the level and placed on the fan with the fan turned on:
GPU: 79 Degrees Celsius
CPU: 90 Degrees Celsius

Now to analyze the results. As you may notice, Tests 1 & 2 generated the highest amount of heat. The reason for this is because the laptop was on a flat surface (the bottom vents could not vent air). These two tests were my control tests.

Tests 3 & 4 were conducted with the laptop on the fan, but without the fan actually running. This was to test the effects of elevation on the amount of heat generated. While idle, a change in temperature was not recorded. However, under load, I recorded a 4 Degrees Celsius decrease in temperature compared to test 2. This is because of the elevated position the laptop was at and the ability for the bottom vents to vent air.

Next, I turned the fan on and recorded the temperature. While idle, there was a slight decrease in temperature compared to the other tests. Under load, I recorded another 4 Degrees Celsius decrease in the temperature. In total, the fan's elevated style and cooling capabilities led to a decrease of 8 Degrees Celsius.

For a USB fan cooler you can't really expect much better than this. There is a limit to how much power the fan can take via the USB plug-in. For a better fan, you would need one that plugs into the wall with an A/C Adapter. Keep in mind that this defeats the point of having a portable fan cooler for a portable laptop.

I looked at notebook coolers for awhile. I decided on this one after lots of research. I love this thing! It is quiet and does a excellent job of keeping the computer cool. The computer fan was on high all the time and now it is hardly ever on, even when it does kick on I just turn up the notebook cooler to high and it does the trick. I would say this will extend the life of my notebook which was so hot at times. It is a great product.

INTRODUCTION

I received the Antec Unbeatable Notebook Cooler 200 today, and as intended, I first ran an analysis of its efficiency. One will notice that there are no claims by the manufacturers, whatsoever, as what to expect in heat reduction. I was hoping for at least a 15-20 degree drop.

NOTEBOOK COOLERS?

All these manufacturers seem to get away with calling these "coolers." None that I know of have any cooling capability ... it's a fan, and a fan only moves air. An air conditioner cools, but not a fan. A fan can make our bodies feel cool, but that's because our bodies have our own internal air conditioners ... perspiration.

I see a lot of satisfied customers with positives reviews, but no where did I see results of any testing.

HARDWARE USED IN TESTING

MacBook Pro 17" (July 09)
4 GB memory
500 GB 7200 RPM drive
I also utilized iStat Server, which sends very detailed internal information to an iPhone or iPod Touch.

CONSISTENT HEAT LEVEL

I pushed the processor to the max, as well as the drive, by upscaling two movies, simultaneously, in QuickTime, while another movie played in Quicktime on a second display, a 42'' HDTV plugged into the MacBook Pro. This MacBook Pro has two graphics cards, one for regular use, and a second, high-performance one. I used the high-performance one due to the second display ... it also increases performance ... and heat.

TEST PARAMETERS SUMMARY

*OAK TABLE, 20-25 min ... The MacBook Pro laid flat on the oak table I use. I monitored the internals.

*ANTEC 200 w/FAN on HIGH, 30-40 min ... I slipped the Antec Notebook 'Fan' underneath my MacBook Pro, plugged in the USB, and switched the fan to high (low was never tested). The first thing I was pleased to note was the lack of fan noise, which is why I bought this model. Small fans make more noise. I monitored the internals with all the exact same processes running.

*ANTEC 200 w/FAN OFF, 20-25 min: After that, I left the notebook on the stand, but unplugged the fan.

*TWO LITTLE BOXES, 20-25 min ... I finished by placing the MacBook Pro on the two little boxes I've been using to provide an air space.

===

TEST RESULTS: The temperatures ranged from 193-201 degrees, NO MATTER WHICH SET-UP WAS IN USE. The temps stayed in the same range. The ANTEC provided NO noticeable drop in temperature.

CONCLUSION: The Antec Unbeatable Notebook Cooler 200 *DOES NOT* cool a laptop. Setting the MacBook Pro on two little, albeit free, cardboard boxes performed just as well.

** This one is getting RETURNED. I consider it a total rip-off.

If you'd like, view some of the iStat reports here ... [...]
And in the customer's video, he points out the little piece of plastic being moved by the fan. Mine does that, too, but that's it.

=====

After I removed it from beneath my notebook, one of its flaws became quite apparent. Even with the fan on high, it was moving so little air, that it was difficult at first to determine if it was pulling air down, or pushing it up (it does push it). I laid a piece of plastic on it, the plastic that I had taken off the box it came in, and that plastic just sat on top of the fan, without moving ... while the fan was on high.

Of course, it does have a blue light ... if that's worth the money to you.

This cooler is unbelievable. Talk about a HUGE fan! I researched laptop coolers for my XBOX 360, because the cooling fans made to plug into the back of the system are a fire hazard. Microsoft does not make one for the system for this very reason Xbox 360 Pro 60GB Console With 1 Bonus Game and Cooling Fan Microsoft will not honor the warranty on the 360 if the product causes they system to fail, and you can be sure they wont be held responsible if your house burns down. The 360 generates an incredible amount of heat, especially if kept in an entertainment center cabinet like mine is. The Antec unbeatable notebook cooler does an excellent job of drawing the heat out of the cabinet, plugs right into the USB on the front of the system, and the blue LED looks cool. It is so quiet, you can hardly hear it when it is on high and you are an inch away from it! All I had to do is put something under the front feet to level it, because since it is intended for a laptop, it is angled. It would have been nice if that was adjustable, and if the fan itself had an on-off switch (only the LED operates on the switch), but otherwise it is an outstanding product, well worth the money. No more fear of the dreaded RROD!

I highly recommend this laptop cooler for many reasons and 1 of them is that is has a really big fan which cools the laptops in a few a very short period of time. You may have seen other laptop coolers with 3 fans but I doubt they are as strong as the one gigantic fan this cooler offers. I would recommend it for people that don't move the laptop around due to it might be a bit big or heavy to carry around.

My wife purchased this incredible cooler for Christmas 08'. She let me open this present early. I cannot say more. I have a Toshiba Satellite L305D-S5892 which has a AMD TURION 64x2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor TL60 and 3GB 800MHz SDRAM. Needless to say it kicks off some high power and this fan is its worthy adversary. So, if you want to ensure that your laptop lives for a while, then purchase this cooler. Yes my wife bought it on sale!!!!

Oh yeah, I agree with MARKMARINE on his pro's and con's

Ps We'll see how it handles in Afghanistan. Third Tour overseas.

I used the older twin fan cooler from Antec prior to buying this, and it was loud and didn't do a good job of cooling my computer. My computer burnt up the GPU and CPU in December while using the old cooler, and that prompted me to spend the money for the new one. The Unbeatable Notebook Cooler 200 is quieter, larger (in my case that's a good thing), and much more effective. My lap actually gets cold using the thing, and I've noticed that since my computer has been repaired and I'm using the new cooler the internal cooling fan hardly ever kicks into that higher setting, even during graphic intensive games! Gotta love that.

Unbeatable Notebook Cooler 200

Fantastic cooler.
I have a large 17" toshiba.
Fan is quiet and works awesome.
The outlet for the hot exhaust is much colder than without the cooler.
Not very scientific, but real temperature reduction.
Great price, buy it.
Antec makes great products.