Cool laptop, dude!

On somewhat of a whim I picked up a Vantec LapCool2 notebook cooler from Fry's ($25). When I use my laptop for extended periods it tends to heat up--even though it's only a Pentium-M 1.6 GHz.

The device is a simple platform, about 1/2" thick with two fans in the center. Small rubber pads hold the cooler slightly off the table, desk, or whatever it sits on and raise the laptop slightly above the cooler. The fans are powered by a USB connection and has a power and speed setting.

This thing is amazing. It keeps the laptop very cool--cool enough for me to require a blanket on the couch one night while using it. Although it could be my imagination, I swear I've noticed a performance increase as well. I'd probably get the same increase by disabling the speed step switching in my BIOS settings, but I'd prefer to run a cooler laptop. Those that have higher end processors should probably give one a try.