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Cooler Master NotePal S


Date
: 01/28/07 – 03:18:25 AM

Author
:

Category
: Cooling

Page 1 : Index

Manufacturer:
Cooler Master

Price:
N/A

Cooler Master is back at Overclockers Online! They are known for high-quality cooling products as the company's name might suggest. Today, they have for us a notebook stand that allows you to effectively "convert" your laptop to a desktop.

After recently looking at Cooler Master's NotePal P1, I have high expectations for the
NotePal S
. The NotePal S is different though as it is not a laptop cooler but instead a laptop stand.

Page 2 : Package and Contents

The NotePal S arrived in a refined package. Cooler Master's signature purple color is nowhere to be seen and has been replaced with a black-and-white theme.

There is a carrying handle on the top of the box which is a nice touch.

The front is very simple yet delivers all the important information such as the company name, product name, a small graphic of the NotePal S as well as a small set of features which we will see in the next section.

Turning to the back reveals even more features and specifications.

Don't squint trying to read the fine details as we will cover all this information on the next section.

Upon opening the box, we find the NotePal S packaged well amidst two thick styrofoam blocks.

Looking at the front view, we can see that the NotePal S is relatively large and should accomodate most laptops. It has a curvy design and is made of metal, except for the plastic base. There are numerous slits cut into the metal, possibly to aid in cooling. Two movable rubber strips made to protect your laptop straddle the slits.

There is also a rubber strip along the top of the front groove which also aims to protect the laptop.

Here are shots of the NotePal S from all angles:

The side shots are shown with the base folded in. Note that the base has multiple notches that allow the NotePal S to be used in many different angles as we will see later on.

Before seeing the NotePal S in action, let's take a quick look at some features and specifications.

Page 3 : Features and Specifications

Cooler Master's site has a small page dedicated to the NotePal S from which I got following information.

The aluminum body hopes to provide a stable platform and to aid in cooling, a welcome feature for owners of laptops that get hot very fast.

This same information, more or less, was present on the package as we saw in the previous section.

Here are some specifications:

The specifications seem to indicate that an external keyboard is necessary for optimal ergonomics. The main purpose of the NotePal S then seems to be to elevate the laptop to eye level when using it on your desk.

Page 4 : Testing and Performance

Using the NotePal S is as easy as choosing a height setting and placing your laptop on it. The base of your laptop sits parallel to the curved surface of the NotePal S with the front part resting in the rubber-lipped groove.

The six altitude settings allow it to accomodate a wide range of heights such that the most comfortable one can be chosen. The optimal height is one which places the laptop's screen at eye level to minimize neck and back strain.

This image shows the six settings, from lowest to highest (labeled from 1 to 6):

After placing the laptop on the device, you are good to go. Be sure to use an external keyboard and mouse as it will be very difficult to use otherwise.

Note that the screen is still free to move so you can adjust it to your liking.

I personally preferred the 3rd setting as it felt most comfortable. My only gripe was that the plastic stand felt somewhat weak and wobbly; if only it were a little bit wider or made of a more sturdy material like aluminum (like the rest of the NotePal S).

Page 5 : Conclusion

Laptops don't always encourage proper posture and ergonomics but Cooler Master's new notebook accessory hopes to change that. The NotePal S does a great job as a notebook stand.

By raising the laptop to eye level, the NotePal S fosters better posture and comfort. No longer will you have a sore neck or back. It is also great in that you can use your laptop like a traditional desktop with the screen acting as the monitor.

All things considered, Cooler Master's NotePal S is a great product for those who value comfort when it comes to using their laptops.

Advantages:

Strong aluminum body
Encourages good posture
Six different adjustable heights

Disadvantages:

Plastic base is somewhat wobbly

Overclockers Online would like to thank Cooler Master for providing the review sample of the NotePal S.