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Evercool Zodiac II NP-311 Notebook Cooler
Submitted by jwhitakr on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 20:06.
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Laptop heating issues continue to be a real problem for vendors and customers alike. Even smaller netbooks aren't spared from the heat issues. There have been reports are coming in that tasks as simple as web browsing have been causing heat issues on portable computers. Whether the problem lies in the software, or the hardware running it, the consumers with hot laptops are the ones who are stuck with the job of fixing the problem. Without an endless supply of ice packs, the next best thing is a quality laptop cooler unit. Enter the Evercool Zodiac II Laptop Cooler.
Design
The Zodiac series of laptop coolers has always been about pairing form with function. The current Zodiac II model is no exception to this rule. With it's single piece raised aluminum design and it's single 120mm fan, it is built to provide enough cooling power for any heating issue. The smaller form factor of the Zodiac II targets the smaller laptop market.
The Zodiac II design is somewhat more pleasing than the previous model. The earlier model had all the signs of the stars painted onto the aluminum which with use would get scratched. The actual signs of the zodiac are cut into the Zodiac II and also function as air vents for the massive fan in the middle. The front bevel is a nice smoother line than the original, but it lacks the front raised bevel which helped to hold the laptop in place on the previous model.
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| Evercool Zodiac Box | Overhead View | Fans |
Specifications
- Overall Dimension : 290 x 240 x 38.5 mm
- Speed : 800±15% RPM
- Color selection: Titanium Black (NP-311T), White (NP-311W)
- Noise Level: < 25 dBA
- Bearing Type: Sleeve Bearing
- Weight : 850 g
Setup and Initial Use
For this review I used two different laptops to gauge the effectiveness of this laptop cooler. The first is a Dell Latitude E6500 15", and the second is an Apple MacBook 13.3" model. The first thing I noticed when I placed the Dell on the cooler is that it misses four of the five rubber feet completely. It literally takes up all the space inside the four feet. As a result, the Dell had a wobble when it's on the Zodiac II. Using the built-in keyboard and trackpad is next to impossible with this setup.
As a desktop stand for use with a USB keyboard and mouse, the Zodiac II works fine with the Latitude. One other note is the paint on the Zodiac II scratched off after using the Latitude on it two or three times. This happened mostly when trying to use the built in keyboard and mouse on the laptop.
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| USB Cable | USB Ports |
Testing
Cooling on the Latitude was top notch. I tested with 30 minutes straight playing Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory both with and without the cooler. With the cooling pad the system fan never kicked on, while without the pad after fifteen minutes the fan would kick on regularly. The nice thing about this is that the Zodiac II fan is whisper quiet. In a completely quiet environment you can hear it kick on, but if it weren't for the blue light on the side, you'd never know it was on.
The Macbook suffered from the same fate as the Dell when it came to the feet. The feet on the Macbook are very low set which when you count the bevel at the front, it lets the laptop sit on the middle which is slick. The Zodiac as a cooler for the Macbook is actually worse that it is with the Dell because the Latitude has one foot that's inset on the battery which catches on the cooling pad. At least with the Dell it sits still, but with the Apple it won't stay in one place without a hand to steady it. For this reason, I was unable to rate the cooling for the Macbook. I think this laptop is somewhat outside their target market anyway because the Mac has it's vent on the back of the unit instead of underneath.
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| View with Dell Latitude | View with iBook | View with MacBook |
Evercool Zodiac II NP-311 Notebook Cooler
Despite it's very nice looking appearance and excellent cooling, the Zodiac II falls short. However, for people who are considering to buy this cooler, please check your measurements first. The feet on your laptop should all sit within a square that is 11 1/2" x 7 3/4". This is slightly smaller than the 11 1/2" x 9" footprint of the model, but you won't get any traction for your laptop feet on the front beveled edge. This also is a laptop stand for a desk or hard surface. The metal edges would dig into your legs if you tried to use it as a lap stand. This unit is definitely for desktop use only!
Pros: Excellent cooling, quiet fans, looks good, USB cable included.
Cons: Only works with small form factor notebooks, no raised front bevel makes sliding a common occurrence, very limited availability in North America, comfortable to use on a desktop/flat surface only.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
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