The other day, during a particularly cold snap, I was working at the dining room table near the woodstove instead of in my office, where the temperatures tend to go Arctic on me. And I noticed that my notebook computer was revving like a 747 about to take off from John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Instantly, I recognized the problem. I’d let it overheat, sitting on the tablecloth instead of on the raised plastic rack where it normally resides.

And I began to think, wouldn’t it be cool to have a specially designed notebook stand that included a little fan so I could work wherever I chose?

I should have known somebody would beat me to the patent. In fact, a large number of companies have done so. They go by names such “Chill Mat” and “Chill Hub,” but the idea is the same — a small stand that integrates a fan to keep the computer off the flat surface where you’re using it.

Most, such as this Targus model, let you set the angle for the computer to make working conditions slightly more ergonomic.

Another one swivels (helpful when you need to collaborate with somebody right there or you just want to take your computer for a spin when you’ve hit a goal…), and a fancy version from Logitech includes a cordless keyboard and a three-port USB hub but lacks the fan.

All I can say is, it’s a good thing I’m not running a unit with one of those exploding batteries. Otherwise, right now you’d be viewing my tale of woe on YouTube instead of reading this and feeling not a whit of sympathy for me or my popsicle toes. A laptop stand is defintely less expensive than buying form-fitting abestos clothing or keeping my fire extinguisher recharged. 

Posted on February 8th, 2008 by dian