My biggest beef with using a laptop, or any portable device, is the heat. Sometimes you have no choice, for whatever reason, but to use it on your lap. After a while the heat starts to build and before you know it, you could get a pretty nasty burn - or worse. In order to protect yourself and your valuable electronics, you'll need some sort of device that elevates your equipment to allow air to circulate, instead of allowing it to slowly fry your appendages.

Cooler Master is one of leaders in the laptop cooling marketplace, and it was about two years ago that they introduced their Notepal line to rave reviews. Today we look at the latest addition to their U series of coolers - the Notepal U Stand.



Before we take a closer look at the sample provided for review, let's take a closer look at the features and specifications taken from the packaging. More information on the product is available on the official product page found on the Cooler Master website.

Features:

» 5 height settings provide an ideal viewing/typing angle
» 2 removable 100mm fans with great cooling performance
» 3 port USB hub expands available connections for devices
» Elegant brushed aluminum pad
» Supports up to 17" laptops
» Adjustable anti-slip holder

Specifications:

» Material: Aluminum, Plastic, Rubber
» Weight: 1.4kg/3.3lbs
» Dimensions (WxDxH): 400x310x217mm/15.7x12.2x8.54in
» Fan Dimensions: 100x100x15mm x 2
» Fan Speed: 1200rpm +/-15%
» Fan Airflow: 70cfm
» Fan Noise: 21dBA
» Power: USB 5v DC
» Current Consumption: 0.36A
» Power Consumption: 1.8W
» USB: USB2.0/1.1 x 3, Mini-USB x1 (For Power Input)
» Compatibility: Supports up to 17" laptops