While notebook computers have almost caught up with their desktop cousins in the power stakes, they have also inherited one of their biggest problems - heat. The compact nature of notebooks means there is often nowhere for the heat to go. Many notebooks become so hot that it's uncomfortable to have them on your lap for too long. The Notebook Cooler is designed to reduce this problem.

It's essentially a large pad with two fans that blow heat away from the notebook. Powered by USB, it's designed with a pass-through USB port, so you can plug another device into it. As the Cooler takes power from the USB port, there are no additional power cables or installation software to worry about. The fans are also fairly quiet.

In practice, the Cooler managed to reduce the heat of our notebook by six degrees, which is a significant change. However, when used away from mains, the notebook's battery life will take a noticeable hit.

If you use a notebook in hot countries, the Cooler might be worth considering, but for the good old English weather, it's unlikely you'll need this.

Contact: Antec
www.antec-inc.com/uk