Product Review: Microsoft Notebook Cooling Base
мая 26, 2010
I have an older model Dell laptop computer that gets really hot. Sometimes it becomes so hot to the touch that I cannot have it on my lap for fear of burning my skin. This heat really defeats the purpose and function of a notebook or laptop computer.
Since I did not want to invest money to purchase a newer computer, I decided to look into inexpensive cooling options. My purchase: Microsoft's slick new Notebook Cooling Base in hot pink.
Notebook Cooling Base Specifications
The contoured cooling base is powered via a USB cable that you connect to your notebook or laptop computer. This cable makes the cooling base very portable, and I like not dealing with AC adapters or batteries. The device cools your computer via a single fan and an efficient cooling channel to draw the heat away.
The unit is very lightweight and thin. You can place your laptop or notebook computer directly onto the cooling base and set it on your lap to work without fear of overheating. Optionally, you can flip down the desk stand if you want to use the unit on a surface other than your lap. The top surface has 2 grippers so that your computer will not shift around. The unit base is black and contains the desk stand and 2 grippers.
Width: about 11.4 inches
Length: about 11.4 inches
Does the Notebook Cooling Base Work?
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Microsoft has created a cooling base that does work on my old laptop reliably. I have tested it over several weeks and multiple hours per day without a single heat-related crash. Before I used the cooling base, my laptop would crash due to heat at least once per day.
I highly recommend this cooling base for your notebook or laptop computer, particularly if you have an older model that is prone to overheating. It is comfortable, inexpensive, and very portable. I do not even hear the fan running so noise is not an issue with this device.
I tested my husband's MacBook on my new hot pink cooling base. Although he is not wild for my color choice, we did find that it could work for the MacBook. The MacBook is slightly wider than the base so it did overhang on each side. Although the MacBook does not suffer from a heating issue, the base was comfortable to use in both the lap and desktop positions.
Where to Purchase Microsoft's Notebook Cooling Base
I purchased my base at a local Target store for $24.99. I had a choice of a few different colors including black, silver, white, and pink. If your local Target store does not carry the notebook cooling base, you can preorder it from Amazon.com for $29.99 or search for a local retailer using your zip code on Microsoft's Hardware website.
from: Remis Site
Roschelles Blog
Sony VAIO VGN-NW310F/B 15.5-Inch Laptop Black Description:
A great value in a gracefully slim 15.5-Inchnotebook. With the power of an Intel Dual Core CPU, loads of RAM, and multimedia capabilities, it’s the perfect PC for multitasking all you want. The extra-wide 15.5-Inch (1366×768) LCD allows for an optimal viewing experience.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #310 in Personal Computers
- Color: Black
- Brand: Sony
- Model: VGN-NW310F/B
- Dimensions: 1.46″ h x 15.10″ w x 10.30″ l, 6.90 pounds
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.1 GHz
- Memory: 2000MB SDRAM
- Hard Disk: 1GB
- Processors: 1
- Display size: 15.5
Features
- 2.2GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4400 Processor (1MB L2 Cache; 800MHz Front Side Bus)
- 4GB (2GBx2) DDR2 800MHz Memory; 8GB Max
- 320GB 5400RPM Serial ATA Hard Drive; DVD/CD±RW Optical Drive; 802.11 b/g/n Wireless Connectivity
- 15.5″ (1366×768) Widescreen LCD Display; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD
- Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit); Up to 4 Hours of Battery Life; Built-in Camera & Microphone
Customer Reviews:
It’s nice however
Beware that this Sony Vaio DOES NOT HAVE the HDMI port as it’s advertised on the pictures.
it’s not a big issue for me for I woudn’t use it anyway. However if you want this feature it might be a problem.
Nice budget computer
The keyboard on this notebook is the highlight, it has great feedback, separated chicklet keys, and has standard key placement (unlike some funky keyboards I have tried recently). That is to say, delete in top right, escape top left and CTL bottom left, with arrow keys on the bottom right. Also, it doesn’t have the rarely needed numeric keypad, which is found on a lot of keyboards these days but requires your hand placement left of expected to type, which is what you do most of the time anyhow, right? I like this keyboard better than those on the legendary Thinkpads of old.
The screen is nice and sharp, I don’t dislike the shiny screen as much as I had originally expected. Colors are great.
Hard drive has enough space for me, and the recovery procedure works well. I made the recovery CDs as well, but I normally just clone the HD onto and old drive to have a backup that way.
The computer has nice selection of features, minus the HDMI that has been mentioned already.
I am very fond of the trackpad .. I grew up with IBMs and prefer the pointer stick, but this is the nicest trackpad I’ve ever used. Buttons are in the right places and are the right size.
Speakers are OK, better than many budget laptops. The recessed keyboard is a nice looking design and the textured case is also quite cool looking. This certainly doesn’t look like a budget laptop.
There are a few negatives however. First, Sony loads a ridiculous amount of “junkware” on this computer. Trial versions of this and that, utilities of dubious importance, and a bunch of other junk I see no need for. I took me about 45 minutes to get rid most of the egregious stuff. The processor is 64 bit, and the Win7 version is 64 bit, which makes sense given the 4GB ram installed. The processor does not have the Intel virtualization technology, but frankly having used Sun’s free and excellent Virtual Box software for some time, which doesn’t need this virtualization technology, I see no need for Intel’s hardware virtualization.
Also, the computer ain’t a light weight although it isn’t a complete pig either.
I also installed XP Professional for giggles, the drivers are all available on Sony’s site. Man, it really flies with 32 bit XP.
All in all a very nice budget laptop.
If it was a woman it would be Eva Mendes.
This is my first laptop so the whole Laptop thing is new to me. When it arrived via skybox to trinidad, it was well protected so came undamaged considering the distance it travelled. You have to make your own back-up DVDs, then move around the masses of junk on the hard drive to remove what you don’t want. 320GB is really 286GB. A case is also not provided. The feel of the keyboard is great though. Battery life is max 2 hours not the upto 4 hours as stated. HDMI does not have a port. Overall, its well worth the money,a very stylish, powerful, sexy machine with everything I was looking for in a Laptop. Can’t wait to show it off when travelling.
Goji Berries Health Benefits
Tags: B002YT89FS, Computers, Sony VAIO VGN-NW310F/B 15.5-Inch Laptop Black, Sony VAIO VGN-NW310F/B 15.5-Inch Laptop Black Lowest Pr
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24 May 10 Sony parnters with Billabong for the VAIO W laptop
Sony has partnered with Billabong to create this abstract expressionist version of the VAIO W.
The VAIO W has a 10.1 inch screen, 1.83 GHz Intel Atom N470 CPU, 2GB of RAM, 250 GB hard drive, 1,366 x 768 resolution panel, Windows 7 Starter, Ethernet jack, two USB ports, and a built-in webcam.
It will be released in Australia for about $619.
Source
Price : Too Low to Display
Production Description
The new Sony VAIO(R) EB Series notebook has performance and multimedia entertainment in a colorful and affordable 15.5″ High Definition widescreen notebook with an integrated number pad. The edge-to-edge isolated keyboard has a numeric pad built-in, giving you the experience of using a larger computer in a much smaller footprint. And with a pleasant-feeling textured touchpad that is integrated into the palm rest, your hands and fingers will be happy to compute. Plus, an Intel Core i3 proce
View Best Price on Sony VAIO VPC-EB17FX/B 15.5-Inch Laptop