CoolerMaster is known the world over for its innovative and quality products, their products have won numerous awards and can be found everywhere. Today for review I have one of their more innovative products, it is called the Notepal S, it is a notebook stand, but also a passive cooling solution as well. The Notepal S is of a design that I haven’t seen before, yes I have seen notebook stands but not quite like this one, CoolerMasters’ design is elegant and attractive, taking functionality and style to a whole new level.
CoolerMaster Notepal S
Reviewed by: Kristofer Brozio AkA Dracos
Sponsor: CoolerMaster
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
CoolerMaster Notepal S
A "Must have" platform for transforming your notebook into a desktop.
-Elegant Aluminum Finishing
-Fan-less silent heat dissipation
-Ergonomic Design
-For Most NB Dimensions and Widescreen
Features:
-Ergonomic design with 6 adjustable degree incline control allowing customization on viewing angle to improve comfort and productivity
-Minimize pressure and strain on wrist from heavy use of notebook
-Aluminum and superior design with ventilation channels enhances airflow and allows for excellent heat dissipation
-Non-Slip surface design holds notebook securely in place
-Sturdy structure for long-term use
-Accommodates most notebook dimensions and wide screen
Specifications:
Color: Silver
Material: Aluminum and plastic
Dimension: 320mm x 300mm
Compatibility: Support all 12"-16" laptops and 17" screens
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A Better Look at Things
:
As with all CoolerMaster packaging it is very professional and good looking, the front of the box has a picture of the Notepal S and the basic features listed.
The back of the box goes in depth about all of the features and specs of the Notepal S, including many more pictures and diagrams of how the Notepal S functions.
The Notepal S is packaged very well, with styrofoam on the sides and bubble wrap in between the ‘layers’ of the Notepal S.
Taking it out of the box we find the Notepal S is primarily made of aluminum, that has a flat finish over most of it, almost a texture really. There are several slits in the top of the Notepal S to promote heat dissipation from your notebook.
The ‘S’ of the Notepal S comes in when you look at it from the side view, it has an ‘S’ shape to it.
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A Better Look at Things
Continued:
Inserted into two of the slits are plastic/rubber pads that help keep your notebook in place and prevent it from slipping, there is also a non-slip edge on the front of the Notepal S as well.
The Notepal S is more of a stand for your notebook, it is for bringing your notebook higher up to make the strain less on your neck, more to eye-level while you are sitting. This is accomplished with an adjustable stand built in, the stand has six degrees of adjustment. The base also features non-slip pads to prevent the entire Notepal S from moving around.
The stand features the CoolerMaster logo in the center of it, and the notches for adjustment are deep so that there is no chance of your notebook falling.
The degrees of the incline of your notebook on the Notepal S will vary with your needs and your comfort zone.
I can see having it on the lowest setting for general work, and raising it to the highest setting for doing presentations or watching movies, or even playing games.
The Notepal S is from CoolerMaster so we know that it is a quality product, personally I really like the Notepal S. I take my laptop quite a few places with me and if I am doing something like watching a movie with friends we all have to sort of huddle around my laptop, now I can set the Notepal S on the highest setting and have the screen up high so it is easier to see for everyone. Using the Notepal S I also found that I can set my laptop up to the same height as my regular LCD monitors while I am doing work, it makes working much easier than having to change my view to look down to the laptop screen.
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Installation, Testing and Comparison
As for installation there is nothing to it, put your laptop on it, adjust it and you’re done. Very easy, no problems at all. I threw a keyboard in there for a possible use…
The Notepal S seems very sturdy and more than able to hold the weight of my laptop without collapsing. In the following picture you can see how the front of the laptop is pushed against the front of the Notepal S, my laptop has a front loading CD drive, so while using the Notepal S I can’t use my CD drive.
The stand locks into place and is very easily adjustable if need be.
As for actual cooling, I didn’t really see that much of a difference, only a couple degrees cooler than without the Notepal S, but cooler nonetheless, so it does actually help cool your laptop. The actual cooling effect of the Notepal S will very depending on the configuration of your laptops’ cooling system as well, so my experience may or may not be the same as yours is.
The CoolerMaster Notepal S is one of those products that is very versatile and user-friendly, the fact that you can adjust it to varying heights makes it have many uses for doing many things. While it is a bit on the heavy side compared to other notebook cooling stands, it is still portable and should be no problem traveling.
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Summary:
The Notepal S is a very good looking product that can have many uses for many types of people. The Notepal S uses no power so it won’t drain your batteries and you won’t have to worry about possibly loosing a USB port to power it. Overall the Notepal S impressed me in its design and functionality, the Notepal S from CoolerMaster is a product that I can recommend to anyone looking for a passive cooling solution that does more than cool your laptop.
DragonSteelMods gives the CoolerMaster Notepal S a 4.5 out of 5 score.
Pros:
-Quality made
-Durable, sturdy construction
-Adjustable height
-No battery usage
-Fits most any notebook
Cons:
-Notebooks with front loading cd drives will have problem opeing
I would like to thank CoolerMaster for the chance to review the Notepal S and for their continued support of DSM.
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