How to create a better office environment with furniture, supplies, and products

I'd never used any sort of fan or cooling mat with my laptop. I guess I hadn’t thought about it; then my notebook starting getting hotter, and hotter. Which I hear is typical. Part of me always thinks that I'll beat the odds of things going wrong. I assumed my hot notebook was temporary. Guess what? It sure was not temporarily. My notebook was getting so hot it almost burned my lap. You'd think I'd know better.

In any case I broke down and headed to the office store to look at my options. My basic priorities were: works and not expensive. It was a couple of weeks before Christmas, so office supplies weren't very high on my list of stuff to buy. I saw some around $50+ but they were bulky or portable style, some that were about $20 but they looked too flimsy, then I saw the Targus Notebook Chill Mat for about $30.

Now, here's the problem I've had Targus stuff before and have not liked it. I was very skeptical; but, I had a big project coming up, one where I knew I'd need my computer on for most of my waking hours so I got it. It had a warranty so I figured if it sucked I'd take it back. 

Here are the specs:

• Cooling mat for notebook PCs
• 2 built-in fans for fast heat dissipation
• Weighs 15 oz
• Non-skid rubber domes to prevent notebook from slipping
• Powered by notebook USB port
• Comes with an on/off switch (the PA248U model - which I got)

What I think:

I am impressed so far. I've been using it for about a month now, and I've had no major issues with it. It really does keep my notebook very cool. Plus, my notebook has never slipped off it - the non-slip domes really work. There are lap versions of cooling mats available but I wouldn't count this as one. It's not very workable sitting on your lap. It's not horrible, but it makes your lap VERY cold, and is too bulky.

I like to go work outside on the porch, so I was hoping to have a lap style mat. However, if I have my notebook sitting on the cooling mat for a while and then go outside for say, a half hour, my notebook stays cool still because it hasn't had time to heat up too badly. So it works to take short breaks from the mat. The only problem I've noticed at all is the sound of the fan. Once in a while I hear it whirring, if I have my notebook sitting on it a little off center. Once I center it the fan sound vanishes for the most part. Also, I usually play records while I work so...

Overall I think that for the price, it's a good deal. No software to download, just plug-in to your USB port and work. My notebook stays nice and cool. It's running faster. Pretty much, I'm kicking myself for not getting one sooner. 

If you don't have a cooling mat for your notebook you should seriously think about getting one. A hot notebook can make your computer run a lot slower. The heat can potentially ruin your notebook. If all you need is a cooling mat for the office, and not something portable (like for your lap), I'd check out the Targus Notebook Chill Mat. It seems to be available at most office supply stores or online at Targus.