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Have 8600, Review of Vantec LapCool2

post #1 of 25
1/18/05 at 5:13pm
Thread Starter 
I have hd my 8600 since the now famous $750 off day. I use Photoshop quite a bit in conjunction with Firefox, etc. I noticed considerable amounts of heat while using it.

I read many positive reviews of the vantec LapCool2
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...999-413&depa=0
in a bunch of forums, including here.

Well, let me say how blown away I am. This thing rocks. My 8600 is so much cooler while using those intensive programs. Plus, it elevates and angles the norebook to a much easier working level. I got mine at Newegg and wanted to give props to a product that actually works. If one of the major causes of laptop premature death is heat, then for under 50 bucks you can help eleviate that problem.

Hope that helps.
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post #2 of 25
1/19/05 at 1:07pm
Does it fit the 8600 perfectly?

One of the things that irks me about these kinds of products is that the computer's looks incredibly uneven.

Do you have any pics? I will be monitoring this thread.

Also, I'd like to recommend you do the heat mod. It reduced my peak temps over 30*C!
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post #3 of 25
1/23/05 at 4:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by STi Sev
Does it fit the 8600 perfectly?

One of the things that irks me about these kinds of products is that the computer's looks incredibly uneven.

Do you have any pics? I will be monitoring this thread.

Also, I'd like to recommend you do the heat mod. It reduced my peak temps over 30*C!
If you want to know is it the same width as the 8600. it is not, but it doesn't make any difference. With the small rubber circles, it sits perfectly still and doesn't move, plus it doesn't need to be the same width. I had the same thoughts when I ordered it, but couldn't find the answer either. It does not look uneven at all. Actually, after using it, that concern isn't even in myhead anymore. I am simplky impressed with this thing for the price. I will post some pics this coming week for you.

I am not good at mods, so it's best for me to not play around inside the thing, hence why I bought it.
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post #4 of 25
1/24/05 at 5:26pm
Dirtywater,

Thanks for your review! I trust it is still working for ya. I am gonna look into this.
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post #5 of 25
1/24/05 at 6:58pm
Check out the Evercool NP-201 photos here:

http://www.a1-electronics.net/PcHard...-201_Oct.shtml

Side vented; 4 variable speed quiet cooling fans, on/off switch, 3 extra USB ports, 11-in-1 card reader; for about US$40. Aewsome!! Slightly shorter, but fits 15.4" screen well, although I have the NP-101 model.
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post #6 of 25
1/26/05 at 4:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andy2434
Dirtywater,

Thanks for your review! I trust it is still working for ya. I am gonna look into this.

yes it is still working. The other one looks a little "cheaoer" to me, but then again, I have never used it. Tomorrow, I will post pix of the 8600 with the LapCool2.
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post #7 of 25
1/26/05 at 5:43pm
Thread Starter 
OK, here are the pix as promised. Any other specific pics, let me know.







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post #8 of 25
1/26/05 at 7:16pm
Nice review; I considered a powered cooler until I opted for the (totally silent) NDD-3000.
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post #9 of 25
1/26/05 at 11:29pm
Ordered a LapCool2 via Newegg, yesterday. Plan to use it while gaming. I use a Podium CoolPad, but it just raises the back of lappy for better air circulation. Will monitor temps while gaming. Perhaps my lappy fans can take a rest while gaming. Fangui can take a vacation for a bit.

Thanks, Dirtywater
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post #10 of 25
1/27/05 at 3:27am

light & portable?

Thanks for the review and pictures. It seems to be of a substantial size, though. How heavy is it, and how easy to carry around?

I am using a cheap Targus cooler pad and it does the job, does not need a power source other than a USB port and is pretty light and easy to throw in the backpack along with the notebook.
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post #11 of 25
1/27/05 at 3:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by skifiend
Thanks for the review and pictures. It seems to be of a substantial size, though. How heavy is it, and how easy to carry around?

I am using a cheap Targus cooler pad and it does the job, does not need a power source other than a USB port and is pretty light and easy to throw in the backpack along with the notebook.
Here are your answers:

As for the size, well, if you have an 8600, you can figure out the size from the pictures an possibly the Newegg link has the actual dimensions. As for the weight, it is incredibly light. No weight to speak of if you mean will it add weight to your computer bag, etc.

As for the power plug, there is one, but you only need it if you want the 4 USB hubs to be on. Otherwise, it is powered via the USB cable which goes into the unit when packed up.

And yes, I simply throw this thing into my computer bag and go, just like your Targus cooler. Just know this is the only cooler I have ever had a nd/or used, so I can't make a fair comparison for you, only tell you my experience with this unit.
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post #12 of 25
1/27/05 at 9:42pm
Hey Dirt...let me jump in and say i agree 100% with your review. I got my i8600, virtually same config as yours, about 2 weeks ago and decided to find a cooler just to help it out and keep the battery cool, since the laptop will be on AC power most of the time at my office.

Anyway, i checked around and saw the LapCool2 on newegg and ordered it up. I actually did not need the usb ports so i got the model without the hub.....looks like yours, but instead of black and silver, it is blue and silver....the blue is almost a perfect match for the i8600 too!

If anyone else needs / wants a cooler check it out.
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post #13 of 25
1/28/05 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ofelas
Nice review; I considered a powered cooler until I opted for the (totally silent) NDD-3000.

ofelas.. can you give some review on the NDD-3000? Looks like a nice device. I read a review somewhere but wondering if you would agree that it helps..
thanks
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post #14 of 25
1/28/05 at 9:47am
karna - couple degrees drop (as reported by FanGUI) on the HDD & DIMMS. The CPU & GPU run at about the usual teperature, but take longer to warm up.
Not as effective as a powered cooler, no doubt, but every degree drop is welcome, especially with a silent, unpowered laptop stand/cooler.
The fans do run less often than merely putting the laptop on an elevated stand, so the heatpipe coolers must be adding to the benefit of elevating the laptop.
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post #15 of 25
1/28/05 at 3:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirtywater
Here are your answers:

As for the size, well, if you have an 8600, you can figure out the size from the pictures an possibly the Newegg link has the actual dimensions. As for the weight, it is incredibly light. No weight to speak of if you mean will it add weight to your computer bag, etc.

As for the power plug, there is one, but you only need it if you want the 4 USB hubs to be on. Otherwise, it is powered via the USB cable which goes into the unit when packed up.

And yes, I simply throw this thing into my computer bag and go, just like your Targus cooler. Just know this is the only cooler I have ever had a nd/or used, so I can't make a fair comparison for you, only tell you my experience with this unit.
You can use the 4 port hub without the power adaptor. The power adaptor is for any USB device that requires external power.
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post #16 of 25
1/31/05 at 1:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirtywater
I have hd my 8600 since the now famous $750 off day. I use Photoshop quite a bit in conjunction with Firefox, etc. I noticed considerable amounts of heat while using it.

I read many positive reviews of the vantec LapCool2
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...999-413&depa=0
in a bunch of forums, including here.

Well, let me say how blown away I am. This thing rocks. My 8600 is so much cooler while using those intensive programs. Plus, it elevates and angles the norebook to a much easier working level. I got mine at Newegg and wanted to give props to a product that actually works. If one of the major causes of laptop premature death is heat, then for under 50 bucks you can help eleviate that problem.

Hope that helps.
Hi, I'm new to the notebook world and I would like to ask you a question! I ordered i8600 last week (I don't have it yet!). Should I buy this (I'll be playing games, and other intensive programs) ?
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post #17 of 25
1/31/05 at 1:33am
just curious, is this thing loud? or is it using silent motors for the fan?
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post #18 of 25
1/31/05 at 2:16am
Once again, thanks to Dirtywater for the review. I have had the LapCool2 for 3 days.

IMHO . . . The 2 fans running on high are quieter than my i8600's stock fans. I believe in keep the rig cool and running the fans via fangui . . . But if I can use an external source, why not?

Here are some temp readings. Normal temp readings were taken after surfing for about 1 and 1/2 hours. Firefox was the browser, running 3 windows, if that makes a difference. Gaming temps were taken after playing HL2 for 2 hours.

Temp readings were taken via fangui, while in observer mode. Rig used was my i8600. LapCool2 fans were set to high.

Normal: Gaming:
CPU 39 CPU 43
GPU 49 GPU 73
DIMM 40 DIMM 48
HD 38 HD 42
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post #19 of 25
1/31/05 at 5:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by IzzLe
Hi, I'm new to the notebook world and I would like to ask you a question! I ordered i8600 last week (I don't have it yet!). Should I buy this (I'll be playing games, and other intensive programs) ?
Well, I would say yes, but they should start paying me soon for these reviews...lol. Yeah, if you are using intensive applications, that's when it seems to run a wee bit hotter that I'd like. Think of it like this... you just shelled out around $1500 for a laptop. Heat is the #1 killer of most laptops. For $35 this thing lowers the heat and keeps it cooler. For me it was a no brainer. I have ZERO regrets about buying this.

The fans are "silent", though if you have them set to High, you can hear almost a 'white noise' effect. Overall, I would say they run very quiet.

Oh, and just so I am not too 'pro' biased, if I had to point to a flaw it would be the power socket in the unit. The optional power cord's input seems a bit flimsy in there, but it has worked perfectly since I bought it.
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post #20 of 25
1/31/05 at 8:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirtywater
Well, I would say yes, but they should start paying me soon for these reviews...lol. Yeah, if you are using intensive applications, that's when it seems to run a wee bit hotter that I'd like. Think of it like this... you just shelled out around $1500 for a laptop. Heat is the #1 killer of most laptops. For $35 this thing lowers the heat and keeps it cooler. For me it was a no brainer. I have ZERO regrets about buying this.

The fans are "silent", though if you have them set to High, you can hear almost a 'white noise' effect. Overall, I would say they run very quiet.

Oh, and just so I am not too 'pro' biased, if I had to point to a flaw it would be the power socket in the unit. The optional power cord's input seems a bit flimsy in there, but it has worked perfectly since I bought it.
Thanks for this nice review Dirtywater!
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