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Product:
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Cooler Master NotePal S Review |
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Price:
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$42 (CDN) / $36 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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Cooler Master
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Author:
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clsGrinder
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Date:
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January 20th, 2007
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Rating:
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Click image for larger view
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Another impressive feature is the adjustable kick stand that makes this whole thing work. The kickstand
base has 6 pairs of notches, allowing for 6 different angles of deflection.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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Testing:
The Cooler Master NotePal S was tested using a T series IBM ThinkPad. The rubber inserts at the front
and back of the NotePal S grip the laptop very well. Even the most animated typist will not move this
laptop a millimeter. While the grip is firm, the plastic base is not; it grips the table very well,
however there is a slight wobble when typing. This does nothing to dampen your "words per minute"
while typing, but the annoyance carries up into the screen. As you type, the screen wobbles back and
fourth in unison with the laptop and the base. Note that it is not so excessive as to be un-usable, it
is merely an annoyance.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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To be honest, I had a prejudice against the raised keyboard before doing this review assignment. The
thought of typing on a raised keypad sent chills up my wrists. The NotePal S blew this perception away.
Typing was extremely comfortable. If anything, this position actually promotes good posture when you
are working on your laptop. Reinforcing the posture effect is the raised screen. In my week long
evaluation of this product at the office, I found I could work way more comfortably on my laptop than
ever before, thanks to the NotePal S.
Also noteworthy is the cooling. I have no software to measure the key components of my ThinkPad. However,
it’s worth mentioning that I have grown accustomed to hearing the CPU fan ramp up on my ThinkPad a
couple times per hour as it sits idle on my office desk at work. Over a week long evaluation of the
NotePal S, the ThinkPad CPU fan didn’t ramp up one over the whole week. It must be said that the free
air design of the NotePal S does an effective job in aiding the cooling of your laptop.
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Conclusion:
I am extremely pleased with Cooler Master’s Notepal S. It made a promise to promote laptop cooling and
it promised to make the user feel more comfortable. Both promises were fulfilled in light weight aluminum
style. The NotePal S is light, rugged, and can be folded flat to fit in a laptop bag. The keyboard
angle and raised screen promotes good posture and enhances your long term computing experience. Cut
holes in the rear aid in laptop cooling, and don’t add extra fan noise or girth to the laptop riser. A
100% aluminum structure would have guaranteed an Editors Choice award, but the plastic kickstand makes
for an annoying wobble every time you type. Aside from these minor issues, I am awarding the Cooler Master
Notepal S a final rating of 8.5 out of 10.
If you have any questions regarding this review be sure to visit the Cooler Master
website for more information or discuss them in our forums.
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Pros:
- Lightweight aluminum
- Attractive styling
- Extreme laptop grip
- Promotes cooling
- Very comfortable to use
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Cons:
- Unit wobbles when typing for lengthy periods
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