Cool Mac Gear

One of the coolest, literally and figuratively, accessories for your PowerBook or iBook is Road Tools’ CoolPad. I keep a Podium CoolPad under my Pismo, and my daughter even uses one with her old PowerBook 5300.

All G3-G4 PowerBooks can get pretty torrid. Many users find that literal PowerBook laptop use with bare legs or thin trousers can get uncomfortable. Comfort aside, heat is also an enemy of electronic component longevity, and anything one can do to minimize internal temperatures will likely enhance the laptop’s service life.

One way to improve cooling is by letting air circulate underneath as well as on top of the ‘Book. Most laptops dissipate some of their heat through the bottom and the more air that’s allowed to flow under the bottom, the better opportunity that heat will have to dissipate. Creating open air space under the PowerBook allows more efficient heat dissipation by convection - the process by which the fanless Cube and second-generation G3 iMacs are cooled. Hot air rises, and cooler air circulates in to replace it.

The Road Tools CoolPad creates open airspace under the ‘Book as well as elevating the back (or for better ergonomics, the front) of the computer. Six small rubber pads on the bottom of the CoolPad hold the laptop in place, making it helpful for air travelers whose laptops slide around on tray tables.

There are two versions of CoolPad -- the basic, classic, Traveler model, and the Podium CoolPad, which allows you to adjust keyboard tilt using LEGO-like spacer blocks.

Both CoolPads incorporate a swivelling feature, which allows the ‘Book to rotate 360 degrees on its base, allowing convenient slick access to a PowerBook’s ports.

Road Tools is now shipping a new version of the original Traveler CoolPad. It’s basically the same but its new shape makes it more stable with the larger laptops

Road Tools has also released white variants of both their CoolPad and Podium CoolPad products. Road Tools’ Jim MacEachern says that while the main focus of this version is the new, white 500 MHz iBooks, the white also looks great with Titanium PowerBook.

One feature of the Podium CoolPad that intrigued me is the potential for adjusting keyboard rake, including negative tilt (away from the user). I use an external keyboard with my PowerBooks mostly, but my daughter uses the reverse rake with the 5300, and says it’s more comfortable that way.

This makes sense in terms of stress on your wrists. Your hands naturally angle down when relaxed. However, most external keyboards are designed with positive rake. I have modified the MacAlly New Wave keyboard that I use most of the time by making a wooden wedge about three-quarters of an inch thick at its fat edge that jacks up the palm rest and near side of the keyboard, giving it a flat orientation.

The Podium CoolPad which lets you adjust the PowerBook’s keyboard rake in half-inch increments using the stackable, Lexan “tube and cylinder” risers provided. Cornell University’s Ergonomics Lab suggests that you try using a negative keyboard tilt. Just turn the Podium CoolPad around and adjust the height.

The Podium CoolPad measures 8 1/2 x 11 inches, weighs 1 pound. If your laptop has a contoured bottom (a first generation iBook as an example) you can remove the center supports and it will work just fine using only the two outer supports.

The original (smaller) laptop CoolPad is designed to easily fit in any laptop bag. Nothing to attach or assemble, just plop any laptop on the CoolPad; no velcro, no adhesive.

If your CoolPad ever breaks, Road Tools will fix or replace it, -- guaranteed for life. The price is $19.95.

The Podium CoolPad’s price is $29.95.

Road Tools also offers a bundle deal... both for $39.95

The new Traveler CoolPad is available at most STAPLES stores now. All Apple stores stock the black PodiumPad.

For more information, visit:
http://roadtools.com/
or
http://roadtools.com/white.html
or
http://roadtools.com/podium.html

Charles W. Moore

Cool Mac Gear