‘Book Mystique Review - XPad Slim Non-Slip Laptop Desk, Cooler, and Heat Shield
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
‘Book Mystique Review - XPad Slim Non-Slip Laptop Desk, Cooler, and Heat Shield
When I sit down with one of my laptops for a session using the computer literally on my lap, the accessory I reach for more often than not for the past several years has been EDOVA Innovations XPad, a disarmingly simple but thoughtfully engineered device that both enhances the computer’s passive cooling efficiency and also serves as an insulated lap desk to shield your thighs from heat.
Today’s high performance portable computers tend to run hot, Apple no longer uses the term “laptop” in their advertising and support literature, and explicitly warns customers against using their “notebooks” in the traditional laptop mode - i.e.: on their laps, which sort of negates one of the biggest advantages of owning a portable computer.
Now, while it’s true that more and more folks these days are buying lapto... er... notebooks for use mostly as desktop substitutes, one of the qualities I, and I assume many others, find appealing about these machines is that you can use them on your lap, at least on occasion.
Then there are the issues of noisy cooling fans in these hot-running beasties, and the presumed life-shortening effect that high internal temperatures will have on electronic components.
One of the things I especially like about the XPad is that it’s a one-piece unit with no moving parts that is surprisingly light in weight despite being a large enough to comfortably support a 17-inch MacBook Pro or PowerBook.
Now, if I was trying to find fault with the original XPad, it would be that it was not especially arresting aesthetically. It isn’t unattractive - just a bit bland-looking, with a matte silver finish accented by plain smooth black traction heads. However, Edova has now addressed that with the release of their second-generation XPad - renamed the much more slickly-styled XPad Slim
The XPad - old and new are an ABS plastic injection molding with four raised platforms configured in the X-pattern from which the product derives its game at the four corners. The tops of these platforms are coated with a rubber-like “traction” material to contact the bottom of the computer and inhibit it from sliding around. The 1/4 - inch air space between the platforms allows air to circulate freely under the computer by natural convection,helping it cool more efficiently with no moving parts, pesky cords, or cooling fans, Edova claims that using an XPad can let your laptop run cooler by up to 30 degrees and shield your lap from heat by up to 60 degrees.
Aside from more swish appearance, differences in the XPad Slim compared with its predecessor are that it measures 14.5” x 10.5”, up from 13” x 10 7/16” and its main section depth has been slimmed to about 1/4” compared with 3/8 of an inch deep for the older unit, with the XPad’s air pocket type thermal insulation now built into its ABS composite structure. The underside surface that contacts your lap has a smoother texture. Additionally, the contact pads of the four support towers on the XPad’s topside are now faced with open ribs rather than being a plain, flat surface and are side-vented, which also enhances cooling. Your laptop’s rubber feet on the XPad’s ‘X’ pattern’s rubber pads create high-traction rubber-on-rubber contact to provide a slip-resistant interface between XPad and laptop without using any cumbersome straps or tethers or lint-attracting Velcro, or gummy “sticker” pads.
The underside of the XPad is coated with a synthetic EVA fabric padding whose looks, feel, and texture are similar to “wetsuit” material, and which provides a soft, non-scratching contact footprint, and enough traction to make the rig feel secure on your lap.
The XPad Slim is still silver finished accented by black traction heads that will harmonize nicely with aluminum MacBooks and MacBook Pros, but has a more upmarket-looking, shinier finish.
Xpad is a one-size-fits-all design that can accommodate laptops up to 17 inch screen size. With smaller machines (eg: 13 inch screen size), the wider Xpad footprint will allow you to comfortably use your laptop on your lap without having to keep you legs tightly closed or having the edges of the laptop dig into your lap. The XPad will work as long as some part of the rubber feet on the bottom of your laptop touches the ‘X’ pattern on top of the XPad. Here it is with my 17” PowerBook in situ.
One of the great things about the original XPad was that it was easy to grab quickly and flat enough to easily fit in many laptop bags or backpacks, as well as being very light and no hardship to take along on the road. While the XPad Slim is somewhat wider than the original XPad, that is compensated for to some degree by its thinner profile, and it’s still very light, weighing less than a pound.
XPad sells for $24.95 direct from Edova, and comes with a 30-Day 100% satisfaction guarantee and a one-year limited warranty.
For more information, visit:
http://www.xpad4laptop.com/index.html
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