The Basics:
The below left image shows the device in its "retracted" state, which makes it more compact for travel or storage. You can see the front edge of the cooler, where the 4 slot card reader and 3 port USB hub are found. We will take a closer look at these (and other) features later when we see them in action. The below right image shows the cooler opened up and ready for use. A total of three 60mm fans are now visible, and are oriented to blow cooling air up on to the bottom of your laptop computer.
In the images above you can also see two black knobs located towards the back of the cooler. These knobs rest against the bottom of your laptop, and are threaded into the cooler to allow you to adjust the angle of your computer to make your setup more ergonomic. You get an extra 3/4" of elevation to the back of your laptop when fully extended, and it can make typing more comfortable. I would have preferred the knobs to be installed on the bottom of the cooler, so that the laptop and the cooler would be elevated together. This way, there would be more clearance under the cooler for drawing in air, and the laptop and cooler would remain in close proximity for effective cooling. As it is, it seems to work just fine, but I believe the approach I described would be more effective.
A button on the back side of the device releases a catch that keeps the device retracted until you are ready to use it. In the fully expanded position it pops into position, but it doesn't seem like it is quite open far enough, as a few millimeters of the two fans on the slide out portion are partially obscured by the aluminum body. This seemed to have no impact in use, but I did spend a little time trying to get it to open a bit more, before I realized that it couldn't / wouldn't.
The cooler is rather lightweight, thanks in part to the bulk of the housing being constructed of aluminum. The large silver surface you see is aluminum, while the portion that slides out and the front face are constructed of plastic. The design is not overly robust, but it is sturdy enough to handle its intended duty, and when retracted it is definitely tough enough to handle the bumps and thumps of travelling in a briefcase, etc.
In addition to the cooler, Hiyatek includes the following accessories with the HY-CF-6157-01. As pictured below, you receive an AC power adaptor, a brief user guide, a USB cable, a pair of non-slip self-adhesive feet, and a mini-CD that is only needed for Windows 98/2000.
I was concerned when I saw the power adaptor, as I was really hoping that the USB bus would be able to power the whole thing. To my satisfaction, testing showed that this was the case, and I did not need the power adaptor at any point.
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