Connectland CL-NBK68001 Swivel Base 15-Inch Laptop Stand and Cooler, Metal Grill With Fan

by Connectland

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 1 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0028Y4DEA
• Item model number: CL-NBK68001
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 28, 2009

Product Description

Swivel Base 15-Inch Laptop Stand and Cooler, Metal Grill With Fan (Suitable for 11.1-Inch - 15.4-Inch). 300x276x23mm, weight 800g. Ergonomic functionality – adjustable elevation in 6 levels, 20-50 degree. 360 degree swivel base – cool down notebook rapidly. Quiet ope

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Durable stand but sensitive fan, June 29, 2009

By 

Simon Tsui "Simon" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Connectland CL-NBK68001 Swivel Base 15-Inch Laptop Stand and Cooler, Metal Grill With Fan (Personal Computers)

I decided to buy this product without a written customer review on Amazon. It is exactly what I needed for my Dell Vostro 14.1 inch laptop: A cooling fan that elevates the laptop for improved airflow, as well as ergonomic positioning (another plus). The short: I jolted the table, and the "quiet" fan started rattling until I "corrected" it via smacking the stand repeatedly.

I have a Dell Vostro 14.1" laptop, with some modifications and a RAM upgrade. This may be true of Dell Vostros and possibly Inspiron/Latitudes: the entire left side/underside of the laptop (where the fan is) heats up when I use intensive programs e.g. Photoshop, First Person Shooter (FPS) games, etc.

This will turn out to be a lengthy review, but bear with me please.

===

My experience with laptop cooling fans: I used a "Targus PA248U Notebook Chill Pad" (on Amazon) for 1 full year until recently when my sister dropped it on the floor and broke both fans. The Targus fan was durable but noisy. I brought my laptop and the fan with me everywhere, and I occasionally placed both on my lap. I took exceptional care of the Targus, as if it were the laptop itself.

The problem with the Targus fan (and the reason I didn't buy it again) was that my laptop would still heat up... The Targus fan did not elevate the laptop off its base enough, as well as the fan from the table, preventing adequate airflow. F.Y.I. the airflow was from down to up, hitting the underside of the laptop, NOT "sucking the heat from underneath." (I preferred this direction because the computer fan is on the left underside.) The solution to this was propping the back end of it up with a textbook.

The next problem: The rubber stops on top of the Targus fan became worn, causing my laptop to slide down when the back was propped. When this happened while I had headphones plugged in front, it would crush the copper end of my headphones against the table.

After 3 months of continuous use, the Targus fan would occasionally make a rattling noise when it starts up. The only solution was to turn it off, wait for some time, and turn it back on again. Physically shaking or hitting the Targus product would only aggravate the other fan into making the same sound.

My sister has an "Antec USB-Powered Notebook Cooler" (on Amazon) which sucks the heat/air from underneath the laptop and blows it out the top/right sides. It competes with my laptop's internal fan for air, generating more heat. The Antec fan is entirely out of the question for my Dell Vostro laptop.

===

When the Targus fan broke, I decided to go for another product. I checked Best Buy, and discovered the retail price of my Targus fan was about $40.00. (screw that, let's buy online.) Googling "laptop cooling fan" brought me to Amazon, and I began comparing the relevant products.

What I wanted in a "laptop cooling fan" was a combination stand and cooling fan. The fan is necessary, knowing how the Dell Vostro laptop is without one. The elevation function of the stand would improve the airflow for the fan. I mentioned FPS games earlier because my left hand would be resting on the WASD keys, and I could feel the intense laptop heat through my fingers. The cooling fan-stand should be USB powered, because I can't afford another plug for it.

I won't use a "cooling pad" e.g. a "ThermaPak HS17A 17 inch Black HeatShift Laptop Notebook Cooling Pad" (on Amazon) because it would obstruct the laptop fan. It's suitable for a Macbook with its smooth underside, but not a conventional built-for-PC laptop.

===

Amazon's description of this Connectland product is lacking. This is what the box says:

360° cooling ergonomic stand for notebook computer from 11.1" to 15.4"
Free airflow enhances heat dissipating. Ergonomic positioning
Share easily the information of your notebook
Easy to turn it around 360° rotation. 6 adjustable levels
USB cable storage compartment
Powered by USB port in 5 V DC/0.14 A
Aesthetic fan grill. Blockers and food pad to secure the notebook
Built-in 8 x 8 cm fan. Fan speed: 2000 RPM

===

This product arrived today, and I decided that I had enough information about it to write a review.

PROS:
1. Check the box's description that I just gave.
2. It's actually on a turntable, allowing you to turn your laptop around 360°. That's what the "Swivel base" description in its name meant.
3. The fan is silent.
4. The fan is powered by USB, reducing the need for a A/C plug.
5. The stand is collapsible and portable.
6. The rubber feet are large enough to push up the laptop. The blockers on the front end will keep the rubber feet from becoming worn over time.

CONS:
1. The turntable function and the exposed underside of the Connectland stand means that it was designed for table top use. Specifically, for sitting at a table across from someone. Even then, I connect my ethernet cable, power cable, and mouse into this laptop, making it difficult to swivel the laptop around anyway.
2. The adjustable heights are a bit extreme and carpal tunnel-inducing. I am currently using this stand on the first notch.
3. The metal bar with which you adjust the height of the stand (along with its notches) appears flimsy BUT they're still supporting my 14.1" laptop's weight.
4. No on/off button for the fan. You must manually plug in/unplug the USB cable.
5. The final con is the biggest flaw. I dropped something heavy on the table, and the Connectland stand's fan started rattling i.e. the fan blades were scraping against the protective grill. I became very worried, seeing as how it was less than 1 day out of its packaging. After repeated plug-ins/unpluggings, I tore the fan panel from the turntable base and began prodding the fan. 5 minutes into it, I was about to give up on the fan... when I smacked it sideways and corrected the rattling problem. No unstabilized fan noises since.

===

Forgive me for the review's length. This is day 1 using the laptop fan-stand. I ultimately give this product 4 stars: It contains the collective wisdom of laptop cooling fan-stand users before me. It was meant to be used on a table top. The missing star is because the fan is sensitive to a medium amount of shock, and the underside prevents it from being used comfortably on a lap. I will update this review if the product becomes faulty or breaks.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great base for hot laptops, October 5, 2009

By 

Jenny Ng "muddywaters" (New York NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Connectland CL-NBK68001 Swivel Base 15-Inch Laptop Stand and Cooler, Metal Grill With Fan (Personal Computers)

I have owned several cooling bases for my Mac Pro laptop. As some may already know, the macs get super hot, hotter than PCs and often I would wonder when it would just shut down and stop working because of overheating. The Connectland Swivel Base with Cooling Fan works really well for this reason. The fan is quiet but it actually creates a modest amount breeze, unlike many similar products out there that have cooling fan. The metal grill allows for my laptop to breathe also. I especially enjoy the adjustable angles that you can play with to get your desired setting. The swivel base is a big plus as you can rotate your computer without rotating the base. The front of the base also has tiny raised levers that hold your laptop in place.

This is a solid, sturdy and well-built base and I'm happy I purchased it.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Works well but uncomfortable, October 28, 2009

By 

C. Weber "CWebb" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Connectland CL-NBK68001 Swivel Base 15-Inch Laptop Stand and Cooler, Metal Grill With Fan (Personal Computers)

This is a great product if you intend to have the computer sitting in front of you and not on your lap. The fan is quiet and the tilt feature is sturdy and keeps the laptop in place. The only problem is that the bottom has an edge all the way around that's narrow and not even rounded off. It puts all the weight on that bottom edge and it kind of digs into your lap after a while. If i sit with a towel or something under it then it's fine but you shouldn't have to do that. But it is great if you don't intend to use it on your lap, I don't know why they overlooked that part.