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Specifications

Stored Dimensions: 12.62” x 0.50” x 3.35” (320.5mm x 12.7mm x 85.1mm)

Riser Dimensions: 12.62” x 0.25” x 3.35” (320.5mm x 6.4mm x 85.1mm)

Crosspiece Dimensions: 10.5” x 0.50” x 1” (266.7mm x 12.7mm x 25.4mm)

Riser Spacing: Outer 8.75” (222.3mm), Inner: 5.75” (146mm)

Riser Top Surface Contact Area: 12” (304.8mm)

Designed to fit all laptop and netbook sizes (We recommend up to 17”)

Colors: black, white, grey, pink, lime green, Texas bluebonnet, smiley face yellow

Price: MSRP US$24.99

First Impressions & Assembly

As simple as the Aviator Laptop Stand is itself, the packaging arrived in a plain but high-quality clear bag.

No real instructions were included, however the laptop stand was designed to be intuitive enough for the average Joe to figure out. Consisting of three pieces, all that has to be done is to decide the width of the Aviator Laptop Stand (the largest setting can be used for any notebook size 12.1” and up) and then put the crosspiece accordingly into the v-shaped notch on the two risers.

Design & Durability

We were quite surprised when we removed the stand from the packaging by the noticeably high quality of the plastic used for the individual pieces of the Aviator Laptop Stand. With the crosspiece being over 10mm (0.4”) thick, it is not easily bendable and provides a high degree of stability to the stand once inserted in between the two risers. The risers themselves have a thickness of 5mm (0.2”) each which is perfectly sufficient to stably hold your laptop. We took the stability test further by standing on the assembled Aviator Laptop Stand (one foot one riser), and found that it did not have any trouble holding 85kg (187lbs).

This stability is particularly impressive as the Aviator Laptop Stand is not designed to be carried in one piece but to be reassembled every time it is being moved. Because this is a simple process, reassembling is not an issue and makes the Aviator Laptop Stand easy to fit into any bag or carry-on. The crossbar can be attached to the two risers through the two dove-tails (refer to the picture below for more details) and measures on its thickest part no more than around 32cm x 11cm x 1cm. However, there is still room for improvement as the contact of the risers and the crossbar is not very absolutely secure. A quick-fix around this issue is to use a rubber band to keep them together. Overall the Aviator Laptop Stand is ideal for anyone who requires a high degree of portability.

Additionally, the Aviator Laptop Stand also fits on nearly any flat surface nicely; be it a desk or a drop-down tray on a train or an airplane. There are two ways to place the Aviator Laptop Stand on the surface either like any other laptop stand/ cooler or by ‘hanging’ it off the desk by placing the edge receiving notches on the lip of the surface. This second way is particularly useful in airplanes and on trains as the drop-down trays often do not provide enough space to place any laptop stand/cooler conveniently especially if the person in front of you titles his/her seat backwards.

We tested the stability of the second method by strongly shaking the desk it had been placed on, and, surprisingly, the Aviator Laptop Stand and the laptop on it were stable and we were at no point worried that the laptop may slide off the stand. The laptop’s stability is guaranteed through two stripes of rubber on the individual risers as well as through ‘hooks’ that generally prevent your laptop from sliding off the Aviator Laptop Stand. Furthermore, the stand’s stability mechanism is also reinforced through two stripes of rubber on the other side of the individual risers and the way the stand is ‘hooked’ to the surface.

Due to its design, the Aviator Laptop Stand does not hold well when used on your lap. The two risers are the only part of the stand that one can place on their lap and that is not only very uncomfortable but also unstable. This is not to say it is not usable on an uneven surface (a bed is no issue for instance) but it is clearly not designed for it and it should stay where it is supposed to be: on a flat surface like a desk that makes all its positive features stand out.

In addition, when using the laptop stand on a solid and flat surface such as a desk or a drop-down tray, the Aviator Laptop Stand succeeds at improving your posture while you are working on your laptop. We found that Keynamics is delivering their promises by marketing the Aviator stand that helps prevent hunching; however, at the same time if your desk does not have the appropriate height in the first place the Aviator Laptop Stand cannot do too much for you and that is also the case when sitting on an narrow airplane or train seat. Without any doubt, an improvement is achieved but, compared to the improvement felt on the desk it is limited.

Finally, it is also notable that the black version of the Aviator Laptop Stand is said to be environmentally friendly by using 99% recycled material. This may or may not affect your purchasing decision, but for those whom are environmentally conscience, you can use the stand worry-free.

Benchmarks

As the Aviator is not a “notebook cooler” per say, it should not be expected to “excel” in cooling.

Conclusion

Keynamics claims the Aviator Laptop Stand is easy to use, easy to carry, and easy to assemble. Each of these claims is without any doubt true. Also it is comfortable to use, as long as one does not try to have it on your lap. Build quality is beyond any comparison especially in view of the USD $19.99 price tag. The cooling ability is obviously not the greatest, but as a laptop stand, cooling is not the main promise. Enhanced comfort with minor cooling benefits is clearly what the Aviator Laptop stand achieves.

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If you are overheating you can cause permanent damage to your system. It will also shorten the lifespan of your notebook as components face more wear. This can lead to instability of a notebook, such as lock ups, freezing and “random” shutdowns. At the same time, remember that these symptoms can be caused by other issues such as a failing hard drive or a virus as well.

As notebook chassis tend to be compact and full, a single overheating component can cause other components to heat up. The most common case of this is the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) heating up other components such as the hard drive, or even worse they heat up each other.

The harder you push the components the hotter they get. Running benchmarks, playing games or high-definition movies can be CPU or GPU intensive and can push your notebook to the edge if the correct precautions are not taken.

The main precaution is knowledge: knowing when temperatures are just too much for your notebook is important. The sooner an overheating issue is detected the better.

The Four Categories

Notebook temperatures can be split up into four categories: Idle Temperatures, Safe Temperatures, High Temperatures and Threshold Temperatures. These categories represent a range of temperatures pertaining to the explanation of each grouping.

There is no clear line between Idle Temperatures and Safe Temperatures, Safe Temperatures and High Temperatures and so on but they are a good and simple outline to follow when monitoring your temperatures. If you do not know how to measure your temperatures we recommend using HWMonitor as it will record the highest temperature reached. (Note: a more detailed article on how to measure your temperatures will follow soon)

Idle Temperatures

Idle temperatures are the temperatures of notebook components when a notebook is workless (doing nothing) but powered on. There is no set range of idle temperatures as they will vary depending on the model of the notebook. This variation is caused by differences in thermal designs, components and fan programming.

Safe Temperatures

Knowing if your notebook is operating at a safe temperature is relatively simple. Anything below “Dangerous Temperatures” is safe; even a 5 to 10C difference is acceptable as long as it is below the temperatures outlined in the following section.

Dangerous Temperatures

As the name suggests, dangerous temperatures are dangerous. At these temperatures components are set to downclock (slow down) in order to prevent damage from overheating. This preventative measure protects the notebook from any permanent damage. It should be noted that some notebooks will reach these temperatures due to a lack of an efficient thermal design; nonetheless, efforts should be taken to drop the temperatures.

Threshold Temperatures

Threshold temperatures refer to temperatures that put a notebook in harm’s way. At these temperatures a notebook can suffer permanent damage. It is highly recommended to solve any heat issues before they reach these temperatures.

If your notebook is relatively new and reaching Dangerous or Threshold Temperatures it is important to contact the manufacturer immediately. Older notebooks (3 months +) may reach higher temperatures because of dust clogging the fan(s). To remedy this you can follow this guide: Cleaning Your Fans

Even though your notebook may be running within the safe range, it is recommended you keep your notebook as cool as possible. Cooler temperatures can elongate the life of your notebook.

If you have any questions about your notebook’s temperatures feel free to post on our forum.

At first thought one may be questioning the usefulness and effectiveness of the product. “A silent cooler, with no fans, a patented curve base design and a thing called a thermally conductive interface pad?”; heck it may even sound downright sketchy to some. Others may overlook the product and miss its potential. To us the EzSurf looks like a viable cooling solution given the right circumstances.

Specifications

Vizo EZSurf

Dimensions: 10.4 x 3.94 x 142” (264 x 100 x 36 mm)

Weight: 0.57 pounds (260g)

Material(s): Aluminum and Plastic

Noise: 0dBA

Color(s): Black, Silver, Orange, Gray

Supported Sizes: 14” to 17” Notebooks

The EZSurf comes well protected in a firm box, while showing off its diagonal laced surface. Inside there are only two items: The EZSurf and the thermally conductive interface pad. Instructions can be found on the packaging of the thermally conductive interface pad and box. They are simple to follow and the illustrations are clear.

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The variation we were provided with is the “Hyper Black” Color variant. There are 3 other color options available: Light Silver, Brilliant Black and Northstar Silver.

Design, Durability and Installation

Let’s get into the design of the EZSurf. Its small footprint is a clear indicator of its portability. If you neglect the taller feet on the sides the metal interface of the EZSurf measures only around a mere centimeter. The absence of fans incorporated into the cooler keeps the thickness and overall size down. This makes the EZSurf an “ECO-friendly” product according to Vizo, though we are not really sure about the validity of this argument. Moreover because the compact design and aluminum body cuts back on weight, the EZSurf feels surprisingly light. In fact weighing in at only 260g it may be the lightest cooler we have ever reviewed.

As condensed as we have made the cooler sound it is designed to support larger notebooks in the 14” to 17” range. Smaller notebooks will struggle trying to use the EZSurf as it is too large to support them. The depth of the notebook would be too short creating an unusable angle and thus recommend your computer be at least a 13” notebook.

When a notebook is placed on the cooler, it readjusts itself to the depth of the notebook. The rotating curved feet will in turn, alter the angle of the notebook. Unlike the contact surface, the feet are fabricated out of light and durable plastic. They are held to the aluminum body with rigor.

For those who have not caught on yet, the EZSurf is fundamentally a giant heatsink. The curves make up the fins while the contact surface is flat as can be. This is what makes the cooler very selective. It will not work for many notebooks on the market as there is too much space between the components and the shell or not enough heat generated for the cooler to be effective.

Where the EZSurf will excel is in notebooks with thin shells and packed components. In the case of any aluminum bodied Apple laptop in the Macbook line the cooler should prove to be even more effective as the body of the notebook is designed to be a heatsink. Putting more fins on a heatsink can help dissipate heat and is occasionally done on computer components.

We got a hold of a 14” Sony Notebook.  The reason we used this notebook for testing was its design. With the components not only tied in tightly together but also nearly touching the shell, it is exactly the type of notebook that the EZSurf takes advantage of.

When we applied the thermally conductive interface pad we ran into a few issues with it sticking everywhere but eventually we were able to seal it onto the surface of the cooler. We continued by flipping over the notebook and sticking the cooler on. We were forced to cover some of the fan’s intake vent though as you will see later it did not cause any issues.

The cooler held firmly to the notebook, however it is recommended to hold your notebook from the base of the cooler when moving your notebook around.

The only concern we had with the EZSurf is with the thermally conductive interface pad. Due to its very sticky nature it attracts dust and other fine particles. This will be an issue after a while, especially when frequently carrying the EZSurf in a bag. It would be great to see Vizo include a few extra strips in the package to help deal with this issue. Using the cooler without the thermally conductive interface pad will prove to be a challenge as the EZSurf will just slip out from under your notebook.

Benchmarks

During the idle temperature test the cooler did make a difference but nothing major.  There was simply not enough heat produced for the cooler to be effective.

The EZSurf really kicked in when we put stress on our test notebook.  As you can see the CPU temperature dropped significantly .

Conclusion

Like any other cooler the Vizo EZSurf is not a perfect match for all notebooks. Although even pickier than most it still has its forte. Its build quality is the best we have seen from Vizo. Its light weight, color variety and 0dB noise level makes it an attractive option office or library use. With the only concern being the thermally conductive interface pad it has overall more ups than downs.

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Mass Effect 2 Review

“Mass Effect 2 is the long anticipated sequel to the Mass Effect trilogy. There have been many changes to the series, are they the right changes? “

Get detailed insight on the gameplay, graphics and storyline of the game.

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Mech Warrior Living Legends: Now in Open Beta

“If you have been a PC gamer for as long as we have, chances are you have played at least one Mech Warrior game. While the games later in the series took a turn for the worse, many of the earlier games are among some of our favorites. Mech Warrior Living Legends is a mod for Crysis that reflects on many of the things we loved.”

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Silverstone MS03 External Hard Drive Enclosure Review

“Capable of handling nearly any 3.5” SATA hard drive on the market, the MS03B is marketed as a storage solution that is feature-rich, convenient to use, and bears Silverstone’s trademark styling and classic design.

The Silverstone MS03B has been designed to offer enthusiasts a seamless method in which to access and backup their data with nary a problem. Can Silverstone’s new MS03B make the grade in a market segment already inundated with similar offerings? Let’s get cracking and find out!

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Razer Intros Xbox 360 Accessories – Controller, Headset

“With a steady decline in PC gaming, it’s no surprise to see one of the most successful gaming PC peripheral manufactures begin to move to consoles. Razer, the manufacture of some of our favorite computer mice has announced that they are going to begin producing high end Xbox accessories.”

Read on to get details on the latest products from Razer.

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Read up to get the highlights of PCGC’s best stories of 2009.

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Though however cool a notebook cooler may appear, it should still remain practical and effective. Throughout our time with the Ferolite we were able to test these qualities and we will report our results in this review.

Specifications

Tacens Ferolite

Dimensions (Closed): 12 x 7.09 x 20.94 inches (305 x 180 x 24 mm)

Dimensions (Open) 12 x 11.69 x 20.94 inches  inches (305 x 297 x 24 mm)

Estimated Weight: Double a paperback novel

Material(s): ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) = Plastic

Noise: 14dBA (Not in our opinion)

Input Voltage: 5V / 500mA

Color(s): Black

Supported Sizes: All notebook and netbooks

Fan

Fan Quantity: Two

Individual Fan Size: 60mm

Bearing Type: N/A

RPM: 1500 RPM

Price: N/A

Closed up inside the thin, black, glossy box is the Ferolite itself, a couple of rubber feet, a long USB 2.0 Y cable, and the user manual. Like other Tacens products, the user manual comes in six languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Polish. Generally, the simple images and instructions in the user manual are enough to get you started and provide some details.

We decided to start by analyzing the cooler by listing the similarities between the Ferolite and the Trio.

1) They share the same 60mm fans

2) They both have risers on the top and bottom of the cooler

3) They both incorporate a method of compacting the size of the cooler

4) They both use the same light weight plastic

5) They have the same approach to cooling

As you can see five is a party. The Ferolite and Trio have many things in common including central features and theories. So when it all boiled down, we asked the question “What is unique enough about the Ferolite to fill in the line between the Trio and Fero?”

Let’s start with some basics about the cooler. The Fero is designed to be portable, to be used on the go and at home on the desk. In order to accomplish this task, Tacens has mapped it out to be thin and slide together to compact its depth. It is about as thick as your average paperback book, though a bit wider and roughly double its height. Still this slim, compact design makes the Ferolite easy to slip into a bag with a notebook.

(15.4” notebook on the Ferolite)

Though like anything else in our world, portability has its pros and cons, the main con we found in case of the Ferolite was the width of the cooler. At just over 12” wide it is hard to fit wide screen notebooks in the larger half of the market (15.4” and up). It is possible to use larger notebooks on the cooler, but it may feel cramped and unstable.

The weight of the Ferolite is nearly double that of a paperback novel. The light weight is achieved through the same plastic used on the Trio. The outer casing, that slides open, and the base are particularly firm on the Ferolite. However once open, the center area plastic appears inexpensive, and has a large amount of flex to it.

Fortunately, the flex does not affect the effectiveness of the notebook cooler. As we stated earlier, to set the cooler up for cooling you simply slide the cooler open. When closed the sliders hold firm, but when open the cooler does not hold open. For us this was a major issue, we continuously had trouble holding the cooler open on non-flat surfaces. Moreover, the noise created when re-shutting the cooler is loud and may not be appropriate for quiet environments such as an office.

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Besides the fans, opening the cooler also reveals the various ports available on the Ferolite. These ports include the DC and USB B ports that power the cooler and transfer data to the onboard three port USB 2.0 hub. This means you will not only avoid losing any ports when using the cooler, you will also gain one. This is a major feature of the Ferolite as you lose a port with the Trio but you gain the same amount of ports with the Ferolite as you do with the Fero. This feature pushes its argument for being the middle step in the Tacens lineup.

Continuing on, next to the ports on the left side of the cooler is the on/off switch and white power indicator light. The two fans that are controlled by the switch are the backbone of the cooling system. They are located in the center region of the cooler. This means, unless your intake or vents are in the same region, or your notebook is lifted the cooler would be ineffective. This is why Tacens included two risers on the top of the cooler that can raise your notebook up to 0.6”.

Yet, it is important to note that that you must be careful and avoid tightening the top two risers too tightly as they can get stuck. The two risers on the bottom do not fold up or screw in; they are intended to be stationary … well not so much. We lost our pair pretty quickly inside our bag. The adhesive does not have enough material to grab onto rendering them obsolete.

As for the fans themselves, they have the

It is not only the top of the cooler that has some slide to it, on the bottom, between the two fans is a small closeable compartment designed to fit the cable. This saves space and keeps your bag more organized as it will help you avoid a tangle of cables.

Benchmarks

We could go on and on about the details of the Tacens Ferolite but it’s time we look at the numbers it has produced. As you can see below the numbers are not drastic but there is always a trade off to portability. Moreover, there is a trade off for expandability as the Ferolite did not stand as strong as its little cousin the Trio.

Cooling is obviously not the Tacens FeroLite’s forte.  The differences in temperature were there.  The hard drive saw no difference and in the case of the idle temperatures there was a rise.

Conclusion

The Ferolite has its place in the Tacens line up though there is more justification to purchase either the Trio or Fero. The Ferolite is just too similar to the Trio and its offerings that make it a more functional cooler are outshined by the flagship Fero. Nonetheless, if you want a cooler that is slim and will slide into that tight notebook bag like a book then the Ferolite is worth considering.

Not content with settling on their popular RVS01 2.5” external HDD enclosure, Silverstone has seen fit to introduce their newest 2.5” enclosure, the Treasure Series TS02. Borrowing design features from their successful MS03 3.5” external HDD enclosure, the TS02 features eSATA and USB 2.0 connectivity wrapped in an attractive, brushed-aluminum exterior. Will Silverstone’s newest offering enjoy similar success? Let’s put the TS02 through its paces and find out!

Specifications

Model: Silverstone SST-TS02

Color: Black

Material: Aluminum

Storage Form Factor: 2.5” HDD (9.5mm and 12.5mm compatible)

Internal Interface: SATAI/II

External Interface: USB 2.0 (480Mbp/s max) eSATA (3.0Gbp/s max)

Dimensions: 3.23” x 0.67” x 5.03” (W x H x L)

Weight: 4.40 ounces (net weight without HDD)

Price: $29.00

Having reviewed many external hard drive enclosures in the past, I found the TS02 accessory bundle to be a bit of a conundrum. While Silverstone provides a very nice, 46” long USB 2.0 cable, the lack of an eSATA cable in this bundle is a very curious omission. Why would Silverstone include an eSATA cable with their RVS01 2.5” external HDD enclosure but not the TS02? Both models support 2.5” hard drives and eSATA capability, so why the discrepancy?

In addition to the USB 2.0 cable is a soft cloth carrying pouch, an instruction manual with good photos and directions, and a sheet of Mylar film. From what I can gather from my research of the Mylar film is that it is made by 3M (467MP 200MP), and is used to electrically insulate the hard drive from the inside of the enclosure. The film has been pre-cut to fit any standard 2.5” hard drive and appears to be re-usable.

As with anything made by Silverstone, an enthusiast can expect to see a certain degree of contemporary design coupled with their ubiquitous use of aluminum. In this case, Silverstone takes the 3.5” design of their popular MS03 external HDD enclosure and shrinks it down into a 2.5” hard drive form factor. The result is a very attractive, wave-type design which makes it a breeze to carry and lends a unique flair to the device.

With a white Silverstone logo replete with snowflake design silkscreened on its side, the TS02 is constructed entirely of brushed aluminum, to include the end caps. The only things not made of aluminum are the steel screws that secure them. Therefore, care must be taken not to strip the screw holes as steel is a much harder metal than aluminum. A notable feature of the TS02 is that it offers a Kensington lock on one end, which few other external HDD enclosures do.

Because the TS02 is made of aluminum, you can expect a very light weight, incredibly strong external hard drive enclosure. I found the fit and finish of the enclosure to be superb and the overall craftsmanship of the device is excellent. My concerns for heat dissipation issues inside the TS02 are allayed due to the TS02’s aluminum construction as it offers excellent heat dissipation properties.

While fingerprints are likely to not become a nuisance with the TS02 as they might be with Silverstone’s glossy black MS03, scratches and dings are bound to happen and the TS02 will show these very readily. This isn’t really a drawback per se as long as you keep the enclosure in its carrying pouch when not in use, but for enthusiasts that want their gear looking like new, the TS02 will require extra effort on their part to keep it that way.

Taking a look at the business end of the TS02, we can see that it supports both the eSATA (3.0Gbp/s max) and USB 2.0 (480Mbp/s max) specification, with a green LED showing power and hard drive activity. The enclosure offers plug and play compatibility and is hot swappable.

An additional feature of the TS02 is that it provides support for all current mechanical and SSD hard drives. This includes the 1TB monster hard drive currently offered by Western Digital, as well as support for higher capacity 9.5mm and 12.5mm 2.5” hard drives released in the future.

HDD Device Installation

Installation of a 2.5” hard drive in the TS02 will require the use of a screwdriver. Start by removing the two screws that secure the I/O plate to the enclosure. Remove the end cap and pull out the PCB which includes the SATA data and power connectors, as well as the eSATA and USB 2.0 ports. Grab your hard drive of choice and carefully insert it into the SATA connector on the PCB. Please note that the TS02 supports both 9.5mm and 12.5mm hard drives.

With this complete, peel off the protective backing on the 3M Mylar film and apply it to the bottom of your hard drive. This will prevent the unit from accidentally shorting itself out inside the TS02. Next, align the PCB with the slots inside the TS02 and carefully slide the hard drive in. Replace the I/O panel end cap and secure it using the two screws you removed earlier. Total installation time is less than five minutes and is extremely easy to do.

One thing I noticed soon after I installed a hard drive in the TS02 was that the hard drive demonstrated quite a bit of movement inside the enclosure. The amount of play exhibited by the hard drive in the TS02 was quite alarming and I would not recommend any kind of harsh treatment while the device is powered on and connected to a PC or laptop. While this typically will not affect SSD’s, for those still using mechanical hard drives, this can brick your HDD.

HDD Device Testing

With hard drive installation complete, let’s benchmark three different hard drives: a 5,400RPM 250GB Fujitsu (MHY2250BH), a 7,200RPM 320GB Seagate Momentus (7200.3), and a 16GB Samsung MLC SSD (UM410) in the TS02. I’ll be using the latest version of HDTune (v2.55) with the following test bench set up:

ASUS P5Q Deluxe motherboard

Intel Q6600 processor (B3 stepping, stock)

Super Talent PC2-6400 4GB (2 x 2GB)

MSI RX3870-T2D512E OC videocard

Creative SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS soundcard

Western Digital 320GB hard drive (WD3200AAKS)

Lite-On iHAS424-08 DVD burner

Lite-On iHDS118-04 optical drive

D-Link DGE-530T NIC

Silverstone SST-TJ03 enclosure (stock fans)

Silverstone FP35 media reader

All tests and benchmarking were conducted in a controlled environment, while ensuring that the ambient air temperature was kept at a consistent 22 degrees Celsius. The eSATA interface on the test bench was provided by Silverstone’s FP35 media reader.

Testing of the TS02 with USB 2.0 connectivity provides data that shows that regardless of hard drive specification, each hard drive easily saturated the bandwidth offered by USB 2.0. This is to be expected of course, as USB 2.0 is due to be replaced by USB 3.0 which offers roughly ten times the bandwidth that its predecessor does.

Results of eSATA testing, however, are much more interesting. The TS02 evenly matches up against other competing 2.5” external HDD enclosure solutions, with the speedy Samsung SSD pulling out an easy win over its lagging mechanical counterparts. While the Fujitsu offers a higher burst rate than the Seagate due to its single platter design, the Seagate, with its higher areal density, has a much higher average transfer rate.

Conclusion

With a new 2.5” external hard drive enclosure added to their lineup, Silverstone’s TS02 looks to be a winner where build quality, craftsmanship, and features matter most. Offering the best of both worlds where data transferring is concerned, the TS02 is a cool customer with a sexy brushed aluminum exterior and lines that would make even Heidi Plum blush with envy.

The inexcusable lack of an eSATA cable in the accessory bundle is a serious misstep for Silverstone however. I can’t think of a reason why an external hard drive enclosure with eSATA wouldn’t include its own data cable. Additionally, I am not thrilled that my hard drive exhibited so much play while inside the TS02. It’s a serious issue, and not like Silverstone at all.

With a street price at around $25 USD, the all-aluminum TS02 sits at a terrific and attractive price point when compared with competing products. Keep in mind that these are products with cheap plastic accents and gaudy lighting effects. Thus, this makes the TS02 a much more appealing choice to discerning enthusiasts who appreciate modern aluminum metal working.

Note: I would like to offer special thanks to Joe Royer, Network Coordinator at Penn State York, for loaning the Samsung SSD for today’s review!

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Selecting and Ordering a Schticker

Ordering a Schticker is easy. Simply visit www.schtickers.com and browse through the large selection of designs or create your own. Pre-ready designs include animals, patterns, fine art, graffiti and if you are looking for a fancier design, there are wood veneer skins and ultrasuede skins available. Pricing for a Schticker is anywhere from just under $20 up to $29.99 plus shipping.

If you would like to use your own image, modify an existing design, or create your own skin, a simple to use online editor is available. Though if you choose to do so, it is important that the image is good quality and has a high resolution. Creating your own skin costs $24.99 plus shipping.

After choosing a design, you can select a pre-set size; input your notebook model or its dimensions to get the closest fit possible.

For our review we chose out the Banksy Graffiti Sweeper Laptop Skin and had it cut to the dimensions of our notebook.

By the way if your purchase is over $30, shipping is free. This means (only) if you order two skins you will get free shipping. Shipping itself is relatively quick and packaging ensures the Schticker is not bent during transport.

Applying your Schticker

Application of the Schticker can be frustrating and time consuming, but if done with thought application becomes relatively easy. It took us more than a few attempts to apply it straight and minimize any air bubbles. Fortunately, because Schtickers are removable and reusable, all you need is some patience and spare time.

In our case we removed and reapplied it upwards of 20 times. There was no residue left after removal, and the Schticker stayed as sticky as when we first stuck it on. Through our various attempts we think we found the most effective method for application: center the Schticker and then use a credit card to slowly smooth it on; basically it is similar to hanging wallpaper.

Here is our method in pictures:

Step 1: Center the Schticker and hold stick it on one side.	Step 2: Grab a firm card and begin to smooth it onto the lid of your notebook.
Step 3: Continue smoothing it on until it is all stuck onto the notebook.	Step 4: Ensure that it is stuck on well and proceed to pushing out any air bubbles

Step 5: Enjoy your newly stuck Schticker

Durability and Quality

The durability of the Schticker is rather impressive. We spent over a month with it stuck on a daily commuter’s notebook. Packed tightly in a bag with keys, books and other goods, the lid of the notebook suffered no cosmetic damage. The Schticker itself suffered from small but not major scratches and the edges were not frayed.

Conclusion

Schtickers are a cheap, straightforward, effective and lasting way to customize the looks of a notebook. The only downside is probably the application process, but once it is on, it stays on until you decide it is time for a new look.

In their line, they feature three notebook coolers, the Fero, Ferolite, and the Trio. Fortunately for us, we were able to get our hands on all three coolers. Today we will be focusing on the Tacens Trio.

The Trio is aimed at the portable user. In recent years the market of portable coolers has taken a backseat to larger, stronger, desk based coolers. In spite of this trend set by companies demand for portable coolers has always been there. Tacens is one of a few companies that have begun to take advantage of the demand with products such as the Trio. It features a unique three-fold design, as well as collapsible feet, and a light body to maximize portability.

Specifications

The packaging of the Trio is small and snug. Tucked into the box was an instruction manual, two rubber feet, a USB to DC cable and the cooler itself. The instruction manual is written in eight languages including English, French, German and Russian. Generally the manual answers all necessary questions and displays how to set up the cooler and how to connect the cooler to a notebook; however it does not explain or mention the two rubber triangles.

From what we were able to gather about the two triangular rubber pieces, they are to improve the portability and cooling efficiency of the Trio. To understand why this is the case we will run through the general design and cooling system of the Trio.

The first thing that comes to mind after grazing the rubberized plastic is “cheap”. In this case it is not necessarily a bad thing. If the cooler was metal, the weight difference would have made a sizable impact on the portability and even if the plastic body feels cheap, each segment and hinge has a sturdy and light feel to it.

Expanding on the quality of the hinges, they are hold rather firmly when folded up but allow for a smooth opening of the cooler. Closing it on the other hand is quite the opposite story. In the open position, the Trio’s hinges hold firm. The same can be said when closing the Trio. There are loud clicks associated with the abrupt, sharp movements closing the cooler. This may be an issue in places such as a library where silence is the norm.

As for other general remarks on quality and detail, Tacens did not shy out by giving the trio an aggressive design. With the striped corners, high spoked vents and aggressive dips for the top risers it is clear that design was important. The underside continues this trend as Tacens provides seven rubber grips. The two fold out risers may appear flimsy but have proved to us that they can hold their share of weight.

The Trio, like the majority of coolers on the market, intake air from the base and exhaust it upwards. The bottom risers lift the cooler giving the user a relaxing typing angle and more importantly more breathing space to the fans. Generally when a cooler’s fan is against a table it is being chocked, by lifting it, even a slight bit, it allows the cooler to process a higher volume of air.

This concept carries on to the top of the cooler. Embedded in the Trio’s design are two screw based raisers. They can raise a notebook over half an inch above the cooler. This allows the cooling area of the cooler to multiply and cool more parts of the notebook, thus improving performance and compatibility.

Pushing the idea of raising the notebook even further were the two mysterious rubber triangles. After some experimentation we believe we figured out their use; to hold the notebook on the cooler. As stated in the previous paragraphs, the cooler provides an incline. This incline can get rather steep, and we believe the two rubber triangles are designed to hold the notebook on the cooler. With most notebooks not having thick rubber grips on the base, it is unreasonable to expect a notebook to just hold on the cooler. With the rubber triangles adding grip to either side of the notebook (left and right), the user will not have to be concerned about the notebook shifting while in use.

The rubber triangles also raise the notebook’s front end help the dissipation of airflow between the cooler and the notebook. It is great to see a company getting back to basics and using little things in order to improve cooling rather than to attempt to use fancy new designs or larger fans.

The fans used in the Trio are a pair of 60mm fans. They are easily some of the smallest fans used in a notebook cooler today, but due to the design of the cooler it may not hinder performance. The same cannot be said about the noise produced.

It is often said smaller fans create more noise, though this is not always the case. As for the Trio we must admit the fans are quite loud. The constant hum is not a large nuisance but can be heard over music and at times it even has a rattle to it. Therefore if you are sensitive to noise pollution this notebook cooler is clearly not for you. But as a portable cooler, the noise should be drowned out in most public locations such as an airport, ferry boat, or train but not necessarily in more quiet circumstances (libraries).

There is no way to control the fan speed, though there is an On/Off switch, located in the back of the center triangle, allowing the user to use the cooler as a silent stand. On one side of the switch is a white power indicator light; while on the other is the DC Input port.

Benchmarks

To test the cooling properties of the Tacens Trio we ran a series of stress (load) and idle tests.  As you can see below, the performance is not great but enough to make a difference.  It is important to remember this cooler is designed to be as portable as possible.  This means that there has to be some sacrifice.

Conclusion

In simple terms, the Tacens Trio is reasonably designed, reasonably effective and reasonably built with unreasonable noise.

The body is strong and should withstand the marathon some call commuting. Its stylish looks and simple cooling system should also get you through the day with a cool notebook.

The only concern we ran into was noise. The loud fans are just too much in our opinion. They would be fine while in a public location, but in a hotel room or at home you will hear the fans over your music or other media.

All in all, if you are in Europe and want a reasonable cooler with high portability and can with stand some noise pollution the Trio is right up your ally.

Think all external hard drive enclosures are the same? Silverstone begs to differ. Leveraging on their new Raven platform, Silverstone has created, quite possibly, one of the most unique and feature rich 2.5” external HDD enclosures on the market. Dressed in a sexy black exterior with eSATA capability, the RVS01 promises to herald in a new era of what manufacturers can do with external hard drive enclosures. Will the RVS01 make good on these promises or will it fall short of the mark? Only Notebook-Cooling has the answer!

Specifications

The accessory bundle of the RVS01, while seemingly sparse, is really quite generous. For a 2.5” external hard drive enclosure, the RVS01 provides enough accessories to make even the most jaded computer enthusiast turn the other cheek. Provided in the packaging is a 22” long USB 2.0 cable, a 19” long eSATA cable, a soft cloth bag, and an instruction manual. While the instruction manual offers plenty of black and white photos, the instructions are a bit on the skimpy side.

One of the features of the RVS01 is that it offers eSATA connectivity. Traditionally, eSATA connectivity in this application could not be used due to USB’s low power output. However, Silverstone circumvents this by offering a USB 2.0 Y-cable with two Type A connectors. These two connectors provide enough power to sufficiently operate the eSATA spec. It’s important to note that with USB and eSATA connected, the RVS01 will default to eSATA speeds.

The RVS01 is one of the most uniquely designed 2.5” external hard drive enclosures I’ve ever seen. It offers an open air design, which is a welcome sight as it allows the hard drive to “breathe” while operating inside the device. This svelte, open air design assists the external enclosure in helping to reduce internal hard drive operating temperatures. As we know, high operating temperatures are one of the biggest threats that afflict mechanical hard drives, reducing their longevity and in some cases, causing irrecoverable data loss.

Unlike Silverstone’s previous 2.5” external hard drive enclosures, the RVS01 eschews all-aluminum construction, instead opting for a faux-leather plastic exterior. This new material is very tough and lightly textured, which will sustain scratches and damage far better than the brushed, solid aluminum exteriors that Silverstone is known for using in their products. A highly stylized and attractive raven logo appears on the bottom of the unit, along with a cutout for a blue LED which indicates HDD power and activity.

Accessing the I/O area of the RVS01 is as simple as lifting up the front flap cover. This cover is held in place with two magnets which are embedded inside the plastic flap. I have mixed feelings about the front flap. I like the flap as it covers the I/O area which prevents dust from building up in the ports when the RVS01 is not in use. However, the flap is not secured when connecting the device to a notebook or PC which leaves the interior exposed and susceptible to damage.

Underneath this protective flap is a mini-USB 2.0 port (480Mbp/s max, backwards compatible with USB 1.0), an eSATA port (3.0Gbp/s max), and a 5V DC power input. The ability of the RVS01 to operate using either USB 2.0 or eSATA connectivity cannot be understated as it offers much needed flexibility for road warriors on the go. However, because of the tool-less nature of the RVS01, some enthusiasts may not like the slightly added bulk of the device.

The interior of the RVS01 is as well designed as the exterior. Most notably is the black soft-touch finish. This finish feels a bit like silicone, which helps with vibration and prevents scratches on the hard drive. Also helping to reduce vibration are two square white silicone pads that the hard drive sits on. Swapping out hard drives is a cinch, as when the front flap cover is flipped open, enthusiasts have total, unimpeded access to their hard drive in mere seconds.

HDD Device Installation

The RVS01 utilizes a completely tool-less design through the use of two, spring loaded metal locking arms. Pressing in at the bottom of each arm spreads them apart which a hard drive can then be slid into the power and data SATA port. With the hard drive inserted into the SATA port, releasing the arms allows a tab on each arm to be inserted into the first screw mounting hole on the hard drive, locking it into place.

Catering to enthusiast demand for more functionality, the RVS01 has been designed to be compatible with both mechanical and solid state hard drives. Enthusiasts with larger capacity mechanical hard drives will find that not only will the RVS01 accommodate 9.5mm high HDDs, but also 12.5mm HDDs as well. Support for 2.5” hard drives 1TB in size is also offered, although Silverstone states that 1TB+ drives are also theoretically compatible with the RVS01.

Hard drive installation is extremely quick and very easy, and the design of the spring loaded arms offers convenience and superior ease of use. With the arms locking the HDD into place, simply push the hard drive down until it rests on the two white silicone pads inside the RVS01. The hard drive is held in place by a friction bracket at the rear of the device which is also covered in the black, soft touch silicone finish found throughout the interior of the RVS01.

With the friction bracket, enthusiasts will appreciate that their hard drive won’t flop out when the RVS01 is upended. As it is, it takes a bit of finesse to pop the hard drive out from its soft bed of silicone. During hard drive installation, which might have taken all of 60 seconds, I found the hard drive to be completely secure. As such, I would have no qualms dropping the RVS01 in a bag full of other computer gear and not worry about its safety.

HDD Device Testing

With hard drive installation complete, let’s benchmark three different hard drives: a 5,400RPM 250GB Fujitsu (MHY2250BH), a 7,200RPM 320GB Seagate Momentus (7200.3), and a 16GB Samsung MLC SSD (UM410) in the RVS01. I’ll be using the latest version of HDTune (v2.55) with the following test bench set up:

ASUS P5Q Deluxe motherboard

Intel Q6600 processor (B3 stepping, stock)

Super Talent PC2-6400 4GB (2 x 2GB)

MSI RX3870-T2D512E OC videocard

Creative SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS soundcard

Western Digital 320GB hard drive (WD3200AAKS)

Lite-On iHAS424-08 DVD burner

Lite-On iHDS118-04 optical drive

D-Link DGE-530T NIC

Silverstone SST-TJ03 enclosure (stock fans)

Silverstone FP35 media reader

All tests and benchmarking were conducted in a controlled environment, while ensuring that the ambient air temperature was kept at a consistent 22 degrees Celsius. The eSATA interface on the test bench was provided by Silverstone’s FP35 media reader.

HDD Device Benchmark

USB 2.0 connectivity, while ubiquitous in nature, has seen the end of its days as far as data throughput is concerned. Regardless of the type of hard drive used, data transferring bandwidth is easily capped using the USB interface, with even the Fujitsu hard drive plodding along at 5,400RPM. Needless to say, test results indicate no clear, decisive winner in this application.

Switching over from USB to eSATA, however, and the test results are much different. The RVS01 appears to do very well when it comes to eSATA connectivity, offering superior hard drive performance for those that choose (and can afford!) to go the SSD route. As it is, the Samsung spanked the Seagate Momentus and made a mockery of the slower Fujitsu 5,400RPM hard drive. Overall, I found that the test results were generally on par with similar 2.5” external hard drive enclosures featuring eSATA and USB 2.0 connectivity.

Conclusion

The Silverstone RVS01 has proven itself to be quite successful. Nearly all 2.5” external hard drive enclosures manufactured today are enclosed in restrictive housings which prevents both access to the hard drive and the heat it generates. The RVS01 effectively combats both issues by utilizing a tool-less, open air design. Silverstone has really taken the design of external hard drive enclosures to the next level with the RVS01, and manufacturers should pay attention.

There were very few things wrong with this external enclosure. Because of the tool-less nature of the device, the RVS01 is slightly larger than other enclosures. Also, I did not like the fact that when the RVS01 is connected to a PC, the device is left exposed as the protective cover is not over the hard drive. And while many might consider the manual to be the last thing they reach for when using the device, I would have liked to seen more detailed instructions.

Priced very attractively at $30 street, the Silverstone RVS01 combines both simplicity and technology in one neat, sexy black package. Enthusiasts and professionals alike are sure to appreciate Silverstone’s use of styling and legendary craftsmanship in a device that is crucial to the work (and play!) of so many people. In a nutshell, the RVS01 is a feature-rich, affordable product which will make it a fast favorite with enthusiasts everywhere.

Note: I would like to offer special thanks to Joe Royer, Network Coordinator at Penn State York, for loaning the Samsung SSD for today’s review!

We were unable to attend CES this year, nevertheless we have rounded up some of the many releases at the event.

Seagate and WD down and dirty with USB 3.0

Both Seagate, and Western Digital jumped into the USB 3.0 market as Seagate unveiled the Black Armor PS 110 USB 3.0 Performance kit and Western Digital showed off the My Book 3.0 drive.

The PS 110 USB 3.0 Performance kit differentiates itself from the regular PS 110 with its USB 3.0 connection interface, meaning higher speeds for the consumer.  To help you “upgrade” your non-USB3.0 notebook the Performance kit even includes an express card expansion. The drive itself is a 2.5” 500GB, 7200 RPM drive and comes with a 5 year limited warranty.  (Product Page / Press Release)

The WD My Book 3.0 comes with a 1 TB capacity and a 2 year limited warranty, and claims to be up to 10 times faster than its USB 2.0 counterpart. The drive is already available at shopwd.com and retails for a price of $179.99. If you also want a PCI3 (gen2) adapter card, it will cost you an additional $20. Expect a 2TB version of the drive in the very near future! (Product Page / Press Release)

Verbatim reminds us their still in the storage game

Continuing on with storage solutions, Verbatim unveiled a “new range” of “slim, sleek, and stylish high-performance portable hard drives”. The products released or updated include the Titan XS, CLŌNE, My Clone and InSight. Storage capacities vary from 320gb to 640gb depending on the model. (Official Site / Press Release)

Razer is at it again, Motion Controls for PCs? Xbox 360?

Razer sets out to let PC Gamers enjoy the fun of motion sensing controllers

With all three major game consoles already supporting or preparing motion sensing controllers, PC gamers can now also enjoy the fun. Well not yet, but the way it looks, it will be possible in the near future. Razer and Sixsense have hooked up to bring motion sensing controls via magnetic field to PC gaming. It is said to be similar to the Wii controls in tandem with Project Natal.  The user simply moves the controllers along with the game. Currently Valve is committed to the project and it has been hinted that further releases from the company will support this technology. Expect a product using this technology on the market sometime in the latter half of this year! (Official Site / Press Release)

Its not the easiest to explain but take a look at this video courtesy of TigerDirectBlog (Until 2:00):

Razer sets out to conquer the console industry

Razer also entered the console gaming market with the release of the Razer Onza and Chimaera for the Xbox 360. The Razer Onza is Razer’s take on the Xbox 360 controller. Dressed in black, and laced in green the Onza shares similarities with the original 360 controller. For example, the general shape is similar but with an aggressive edge. The layout appears to be unchanged from the original controller but there are some noticeable differences.  There are two extra triggers which the user can set the Y,X,A, or B buttons to, as well as tension adjustment for the two sticks.  The MSRP for the Razer Onza Professional Gaming Controller for Xbox 360 is US $49.99, a 25% higher than the Official Xbox 360 controller. No information is out yet about a possible release of a wireless version of the controller. (Product Page / Press Release)

The Razer Chimaera is a gaming headset for the 360 and offers full 5.1 surround sound and noise isolation. It also features “a Daisy-Chain” solution to allow multiple Razer base stations to be connected to create a direct, private communication channel for in-game conversations. MSRP for the Chimaera is US $129.99. (Product Page / Press Release)

Mad Catz goes Mad with Customization and Touch

The Cyborg RAT sets a new bar in customization

Mad Catz, another player in the gaming accessories market brought along the Cyborg RAThe majority of gaming mice today allow for quick DPI changes and some allow for custom weight and positioning.

However, Mad Catz took the concept of adjustability to a whole new level with the Cyborg RAT first off the RAT has four variants: the lowest end model RAT 3 features a 3200 dpi laser, moving up to the 4000 dpi RAT 5 and the top of the line model 5600 dpi RAT 7 and 9. So far it sounds like a typical gaming mouse eh?

Well, the top of the line models (7 & 9) are virtually the same except for the fact that the 9 is wireless, but more importantly they are both FULLY adjustable and by fully we really do mean fully. From length, to width, to weight, the RAT allows the user to customize the mouse to his or her preference. The RAT 5 also features additional adjustability but only to an extent by allowing the user to adjust the length of the mouse.

Pricing starts at $49.99 for the RAT 3 and up to $99.99 or $129.99 for the RAT 7 and 9 respectably. (Official Site / Press Release)

Mad Catz wasn’t done there; they also released the Eclipse Wireless Touchmouse, Litetouch Keyboard, and Mobilemouse.

The Touchmouse features a 1600dpi laser and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity. It is powered using a single AA battery. As the name insinuates, the main feature of the mouse is the unique “touch scroll” in place of the traditional scroll wheel. The touch scroll is gesture-based control trackpad. The Eclipse Touchmouse will be available later this year.(Official Site / Press Release)

The Litetouch Keyboard also features a form of touch control and comes in both wireless and wired variations (the Wireless Litetouch Keyboard communicates over a wireless 2.4GHGz connection). It features a 360 degree trackball with left and right mouse button controls as well as its distinctive 3-1 touch panel. The 3-1 panel switches between media mode, numerical-pad mode, and MyEclipse mode. With all these features and backlit keys, the Litetouch does not come cheap: it has a MSRP of $129.99.(Official Site / Press Release)

The final product released by Mad Catz is the Eclipse Mobilemouse. As the name indicates, it is designed for the mobile user. The mouse is constructed out of hard-wearing materials and has a die cast frame to ensure durability. Its main catch point is not its 1600dpi laser or its nano dongle, but its 4 way scrolling 360 degree scroll ball. It’s a decent concept but considering Apple had done this in their Mighty Mouse half a decade ago, it may be a bit late to introduce it into the line.(Official Site / Press Release)

Logitech releases the Speaker Lapdesk N700

Getting closer to our roots in notebook cooling, Logitech brought forth the Speaker Lapdesk N700. The N700 has a cushioned bottom and can support notebooks up to 16”. Furthermore, it boats two 2” neodymium drives, each with 2W of power for sound, and has a fan for cooling. Sounds like a great package? Well it sure did for us, but remember nothing is perfect.

The N700’s fan moves a mere 6CFM and is rated at 31 dbA. To give you an idea of how loud that is, 30dbA is the noise level of a whisper. Sounds quiet does it not? Imagine it running when ever your notebook is. It is not very pleasant and something you may not be able to put up with. If the CFM were higher or Logitech had just not put the fan in and created airflow space rather than an on off switch it would be no problem. Note that the speakers of the N700 will have to be pumped through the 31dbA caused by the fan. Also don’t notebooks have speakers already? The quality must be pretty good if users are to appreciate the product.

In all honesty, it would be great to see Logitech put a little more thought and effort into their design. The Cooler Master U2 for example runs at 25dbA, though we don’t have many complaints about it. This is not to say that we like one company more than the other, the U2 is capable of 17.4 CFM per fan.

If you like the design, take a look at the Logitech Comfort Lapdesk instead. It will run you $40, likely less, as the N700 will run you $80. (Product Page / Press Release)

SteelSeries adds to its collection

Cooling off, we next look at the SteelSeries NP+. Adding to the large library of mouse pads, SteelSeries designed a water resistant mouse pad. The design appears to be very similar to that of the Zowie Gear N-RF1 which we reviewed back in September and which we believed to be a decent option for those looking for a mouse pad that makes their movements snappier. (Product Page / Press Release)

Turtle Beach updates the Micro and Amigo from I to II

Looking to boost the quality of sound out of your notebook? With many aftermarket sound enhancing products being desk prone or bulking out of the notebook they have not been a great success. Turtle Beach upgraded their Micro and Amigo and dubbed it the Micro II / Amigo II. The major change is the fact that the bulk can now be bent away from the computer as it is separated from the USB head. You can grab the Micro for $24.95 and get true 5.1 out of your notebook. (Product Page Amigo II / Micro II / Press Release)

25 Million Pixels, 6 Screens, and ATI

The last product we are featuring is not really related to notebooks but deserves to be mentioned. Samsung and ATI teamed up to work on SyncMaster MD230 mega-displayed for gamers that just can’t get enough. There are two versions but the version that caught our eye is the one with six screens. Yes, it’s been done before but in this case each 23” screen has a resolution of 2560 x 1600. Six screens combined, that is 12x the resolution of 1080p and nearly 25 million pixels. However there is a catch and this is where ATI comes in; the displays require a new ATI card to function. As for cost, the three monitor version will run you a cool $1,899 and the six goes for $3,099. Affordable? Yes; Cheap? No. (Source: Google News)