Xpad Laptop Cooling Pad and Heatshield Review

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The Xpad isn't your typical laptop cooling pad, in fact it has no fans. That is one of the unique features of this cooling pad, besides its lightweight portable design. For those users unfamiliar with the Xpad, it's a portable non-slip laptop pad that cools the laptop while also protecting the user from any heat.

Front view of the Xpad cooling pad. (view large image)

I'll have to say upon first look the Xpad doesn't look like much, but it does allow for better airflow to your notebook. I have never used a USB cooling pad with fans, so I can't say that this one is better, but I can give you the facts on how the Xpad performs. The Xpad is quoted as being able to keep your laptop up to 30 degrees cooler, I would say it's more like 15 degrees, but this can depend on the laptop you have.

Features

The Xpad has three layers of thermal insulation, with insulative air pockets inside, which protect you from the heat. Its ABS composite structure creates a strong lightweight platform that has no flex. It only weighs about one pound, so it is easy to take with you on trips. It is kind of tricky to get it into your bag though, since it doesn't fold up like some of the other cooling pads that have fans.

Side view of the Xpad as you can see it isn't very thick. (view large image)

One thing I liked about the Xpad was the soft bottom layer, which also serves as the third layer of heat insulation. It adds a little cushion to your lap when holding your notebook and it keeps the notebook in place. Having a size of 13&quot;x 10.5&quot; x 0.66&quot; (WxHxD), the Xpad is made to fit laptops with up to 17 inch screens, so you don't have to worry about your notebook being too big.

Bottom of the Xpad is made of EVA padding, nice and soft. (view large image)

As I mentioned before the Xpad doesn't use any fans to cool your laptop. Laptops have been engineered so they can cool themselves, although some do this better than others. A laptops cooling system is designed to inhale cool air and exhale hot air through ventilation holes using its own cooling fans. The Xpad provides extra breathing room for your laptop with the 'X' pattern ventilation channel, so it doesn't restrict the natural airflow of your laptop. Therefore the Xpad doesn't interfere with your laptops cooling system.

My Asus R1 sitting on the Xpad. (view large image)

Back view of my Tablet sitting on the Xpad, you can see the 'X' ventilation pattern allows for better airflow. (view large image)

The rubber feet on the bottom of your laptop sit on top of the 'X' pattern rubber pads on the Xpad. The rubber feet provide clearance between the bottom of the laptop and the 'X' pattern rubber pads, so nothing is blocked on the bottom of your computer, which helps keep it cooler.

The laptops rubber feet and 'X' pattern rubber pads create a high friction rubber-on-rubber contact to provide a non-slip interface. It actually works quite well, in fact my R1 barely moved while on the Xpad. You just have to be careful if you hold your laptop on your lap because it does slide around then, but on a desk it is sturdy as can be.

Conclusion

The Xpad has no battery draining fans or extra power cords to deal with, which is nice especially when traveling. Overall the Xpad does serve its purpose of keeping your laptop cooler, but it is a little expensive at $24.95. If you buy it in bulk orders though there is a discount. I really don't know why anyone would buy these in bulk, unless it were a business. However one neat thing is that the Xpad's EVA padded bottom is customizable, so if you did order in bulk you could have your company's logo printed on the bottom.

Pros

• The Xpad is lightweight.
• The 'X' pattern surface holds your laptop in place and allows for better airflow than standard.
• The Xpad is sturdy and holds laptops up to 17&quot;screen size.

Cons

• The Xpad is expensive.
• The Xpad doesn't fold up, so it doesn't fit in all notebook bags.
• The Xpad isn't available in any other sizes or colors.

The Xpad is available now for $24.95, but if you buy them in bulk there is a discount, which saves you about half depending on how many you order. For more information or to order check out Xpad's website.

 

when you say 15 degrees, that is in F not C, right?

 

Why not get cooling and an ergonomic gain for a few more dollars. I get this with Oysterdock due to the fact the hot air moves up and away from the laptop. www.oysterdock.com

 

"For those users unfamiliar with the Xpad, it's a portable non-slip laptop pad that cools the laptop while also protecting the user from any heat."

im sure 99.99% of those who read this review wont know what the xpad was beforehand

the review was good, but this seems like such a "useless" product, for $24 im sure most people can do better things with that money, seems like the company who put this out put a lot of thought into a idea/product that was flawed in the first place

 

i feel like useless is a bit strong of a word....some people may want a cooling device that is 1. noiseless, 2. doesn't drain energy. $24 isn't that bad....there are many more expensive devices out there that produce less results.

 

Can you elaborate on this exas? Why is this "useless" product. I would like to hear your opinion before I buy this device, I don't want to waste my money. Why is this idea flawed?

 

Thanks for good review!

I more sceptical about the product itself, though.
How much does it actually weight?

For another concept of a fanless cooling pad see here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=103048

 

Could you give us your before/after temps so we can gauge it a bit?

 

Good review, but for only $15 more you can get a Lian-Li cooling pad and they are top quality Aluminum with dual adjustible fans.

 

Nice review. THANKS...

btw, I suspect that even if they say it will work on a 17" system, it will not work on mine. My system is 15.5" across. The pad is 13" across. An under sized pad can actually contribute to a failure in the case itself. Especially on systems with more of a plastics type case. An under sized pad can increase the flexing in your system as it is not resting on all feet which is needed to distribute the load during use. A small thing maybe but over time it will be an added stress on a system.

I have one of the Targus Lapdesk pads and it is actually nice. I think for most computing needs a pad that does not have a fan is fine. They do offer better airflow and/or protection if you have a laptop that gets warm. These are also great when working in bed. They give your system a solid surface and much more airflow.

But, if the ambient room air temp is over say 75F then I find a pad with fans is more helpful. I imagine people gaming need cooling pads with a fan also no matter the room temp.

I do like the passive cooling pads because of the battery life issue. I am not sure cooling pad is the right word as it implies there is some sort of cooling taking place. In the case of these pads it is more a case where the pad helps reduce the chance of overheating as a result of poor air flow due to the work area itself.

Again thanks for the review. I am in the market to get another of this type pad so all the info I can find is helpful..

 

When I said it keeps the computer 15 degrees cooler I did mean 15 F.

The Xpad weighs in at 1lb, but it feels lighter than that.

It does do its job of keeping your notebook cooler and it obviously is not noisy, but it really depends on your preference. Grumpy3b is right though if the room temperature is over 75 F than the notebook isn't really getting any cool air. The Xpad doesn't drain batteries and it can travel with you, so overall it is a good buy if you are looking for a simple cooling pad.