Laptop computers, also known as notebooks, are popular because of their mobility, and many have become as powerful as their desktop counterparts. One of the drawbacks to having a powerful laptop computer is that it can get very hot, which can not only make it uncomfortable to use but can also contribute to shortening the life of the computer. While there are internal fans in laptops, they often provide insufficient airflow to keep the computer from getting hot much of the time. A popular computer accessory to solve this problem is the laptop fan, and there are many available to choose from that each have different features.
When you begin to search for the right laptop fan, one of the first things you may notice is how similar they all are. Most of them are designed as “pads” that the laptop rests upon, with fans facing upward to cool the bottom, and most will connect to the laptop via a USB port. Others are designed to attach to existing vents and suck the hot air out of the laptop. Upon close inspection, there are many minor differences between these peripherals that may help you make a decision of which one to buy. Another major factor you will consider is the price you are willing to pay for a laptop fan, but keep in mind that a higher price is not always a sign of better quality.
Usually the first thing that may attract you to a particular laptop fan is the style and color, and there are many that you may consider because they “match” your computer. You should also be concerned with the functionality and comfort of the device, and test it to see if you can use your laptop regularly with its addition. If you often use the laptop in your lap, you need to know if you still can while using the fan. Another feature that may affect your comfort level is the angle at which the laptop rests on the fan.
If you are buying online, you may need to check specifications and customer reviews to find details, which may persuade or dissuade you from a particular fan. Some might be particularly noisy or apt to break down, while others simply might not offer enough air to cool an extra hot laptop down. It is always a good idea to see what others say about a particular product, and to be leery about overly positive or negative reviews.
Finally, you can determine what extras you want to be included on your laptop fan. Some act as a USB hub, which will allow you to connect several more peripherals to your laptop directly through the laptop fan. Some laptop fans offer on/off switches for when the fan is not in use, while others are always on as long as they are plugged in. There are also laptop fans with built-in multi-card readers to give an additional input for data to the laptop.