Targus Ergonomic Cooling Mobile X-Stand designed for up to 17 Inch Notebooks AWE09US

I just bought a Macbook Pro 17″ and I work on it all day and it gets extremely hot, I really wanted to find the right solution for my need, which is something that will help reduce the overheating of my computer, be portable, and not have to buy an additional keyboard. I was really leaning towards the iCurve, which looks great and will actually raise my screen up, but the fact I can’t really take it anywhere and also needing an additonal keyboard, took it out of running. I looked into others, but really, I think K.I.S.S.(Keep It Simple Stupid) was the main reason I bought this. My computer is still warm, but I can tell this product is helping my computer from overheating by lifting it off the desk. Only thing I think that doesn’t work well with Macbooks are the fact the CD/DVD Slot gets cover so if you need to insert or remove the CD/DVD, I need to lift it up. Which isn’t hard, but I rather wish I didn’t have to this. But generally, it is compact, easy to set up and breakdown, definitely a good option for people on the go.
Rating: 4 / 5

As an owner of a Sony VAIO GRT series laptop with a 3.06 GHz processor, heat generation has always been a problem. This computer consumes as much as 140 watts, often requiring multiple internal fans to accelerate and decelerate to exhaust the heat. With the Targus X-Stand, cooling is far more efficient, requiring less fan usage and less electricity.

While increased comfort and noise reduction are the primary reasons for getting a notebook stand, improved energy consumption is a major plus. Not only do the fans engage less often, but electrical consumption is reduced at lower temperatures. Hence, with all things being equal, a cool laptop will use less electricity than a hot one. The temperature dependence of electrical resistance is one of the reasons server farms consume about 1/3 of their total electricity through air conditioning alone.

For road warriors, the Targus Mobile X notebook stand is the ideal cooling stand choice. As it folds up to 6.4″ x 1.6″ x 1.5″, it is significantly smaller than other stands. When the two telescopic major arms collapse and fold together with the two minor arms, the stand can fit into a shirt pocket. Yet despite its diminutive size, the stand easily supports my eight pound laptop with 16.1″ screen.

Another plus that I did not initially consider was improved wrist position. The extra fifteen degrees makes a big difference when working several hours at the keyboard. Not only do my hands and wrists feel better, but my typing speed increases. With benefits of improved comfort, energy conservation and noise reduction, the Targus X stand is a fantastic productivity tool.

Pros

Reduced heat generation and energy consumption

No moving parts

Improved wrist angle

Lightweight

Rugged precision design

Portable & compact

Adjusts to any size laptop

Cons

Can’t use on lap or any non-flat surface

Rating: 5 / 5

It takes up almost no room in my laptop bag when it is folded up and unlike other commenters, it does not block ANY slots on either side of my Dell Inspiron 9400 17″ widescreen laptop. The 15 degree angle makes using the keyboard much more comfortable and there is sufficent airspace underneath it for cooling purposes.
Rating: 5 / 5

Very light weight and compact when folded up, yet

Stable and solid in use.

One downside: On a 15-inch powerbook it does indeed block the CD/DVD slot.
Rating: 5 / 5

Finally something that works as promised and is inexpensive.

While I agree with the other apple review, i must disagree that the stand covers the drive. Because the stand’s legsz length can be extended, the macbook pro 17″ can easily be put to the left side of the stand. It has perfect stability and allows the cd to pop out. Even though the computer is toward one side of the stand, it maintains perfect stability. Also, on the Apple, the front hooks holding it on are exactly the hight of the bottom of the laptop, so you never feel them. On all other stands, the drive is blocked.

The computer still runs a little hot, but it cools it down alot. Not only that, but the computer is lifted to a more pleasing hight, especially the moniter. Further, the strain on your wrists are taken away by the slight lift in the back. Very portable and non obtrusive.

Only con is that it can’t be used on the lap, but that is not what I bought it for.
Rating: 5 / 5