Notebook cooling pad recommendations?

[TurnX]

Recently picked up an Acer 7741G laptop. It runs great but when gaming it is definitely putting out some heat, so I am looking for a cooling pad for it. Was curious what is the best bang for your buck cooling pad right now? Not looking to spend a fortune, just get something to keep it cool the few times a month I game on it. Thanks.

 

[fralexandr]

I.) if your notebook lies pretty flush with the desktop, you can use a book, or other elongate solid object to prop the back of your notebook up, or 2 somethings to prop just the corners of the back up. That would be a potentially FREE fix (assuming you have such items lying around; who doesn't?)

otherwise you could buy something like this:
http://www.meritline.com/mobile-devices-cooling-ball-for-laptop-computers---p-33468.aspx


II.) If that doesn't work, or you still want a notebook cooler anyway:
the most important thing in looking for a notebook cooler is to make sure the cooling fans line up with the intake vents of the notebook. One easy way to do this is to buy a notebook cooler with a single gigantic fan.
geeks.com has some pretty cheap notebook coolers

1 big fan ~$8 + shipping (~$5)
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...28-BLK&cat=FAN
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...NCP113&cat=FAN

Antec 2 x70mm fans $22 (free shipping if over $25, or amazon prime)
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Notebook.../dp/B0000BVYTV

notebook cooler w/ 2 adjustable fans ~$20
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...4233995&sr=8-3

if you're notebook has only 1 single off center intake vent, you can even make your own notebook cooler although it's likely more expensive to do this. (my m11x has 1 single intake vent at a corner; too bad the rubber feet on my m11x are so short :S i still haven't found a decent way to permanently prop it higher than the screw heads, hah been using erasers; then again i haven't really been looking :S)
if you're good with splicing cables n stuff it could be cheap, but would take some time
http://forum.notebookreview.com/accessories/300297-my-custom-notebook-cooler.html

thermaltake actually sells fans w/ usb adapters though so you could get some kind of mesh laptop stand or large mesh sheet and get one of these
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Mo...4233787&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Mo...4233787&sr=8-2

 

[Zap]

I do this with my gaming notebook.

Works great! It is a 1½" x 12" piece of angle aluminum. I cut it off a longer piece of stock, so it cost me under $2 all said and done. Notebook in picture is a Clevo M980NU with dual GTX 280M in SLI. Makes a measurable difference (up to 5ºC-ish) over just having it sit flat on the table.

 

[TurnX]

thanks for the suggestions! I ended up going with the Cooler Master Notepal U2 Notebook Cooler for the adjustable fans, makes lining the fans up with my laptop's intake a lot easier.

 

[outofbandii]

I'm looking for a cooling pad of some kind for a 13.3" Asus U36SD. I'd like something that works on lap as well as on flat surface, and is relatively quiet.

Budget: up to $50. I'd consider doing a self-build if the components were easy enough to get here in Ireland.

Any recommendations?