Theme is back!

Posted on 02 November 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

We finally got our site theme back!  Hopefully we can restore categories and other features sometime this week.

Thank you to all our readers for your patience!

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Akasa Helix Notebook Cooler Review

Akasa Helix Notebook Cooler Review

Posted on 27 September 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

The Akasa Helix is the second cooler we found lurking around at the Akasa booth at CeBIT 2011. In so many ways similar to the previously reviewed Quasar but with just as many distinctions, the Helix tries to establish its own place in notebook cooling market.

Specifications

Akasa Helix Notebook Cooler (AK-NBC-31)
Dimensions: 15″ x 11.7” x 2.1” (L x W x H) — 380 x 296.5 x 54 mm
Weight: 32 ounces — 910g
Materials: Aluminum, Plastic, Rubber
Noise: N/A
Input Voltage: 5V DC
Color(s): Anodized black or brushed aluminum
Supported Sizes: 17″ – 15.6″ Notebooks – in our opinion 14” – 17”
.
Fan
Fan Quantity: 1
Individual Fan Size: 200mm
Bearing Type: N/A
RPM: Low – 500 RPM High – 800RPM (63.7 CFM)
Price: £24 incl. Shipping (37$) – Google Product Search

Packaging

Like the Quasar the Helix comes packaged in a sleek white box displaying the cooler, its specifications and features. Included in the box is the Helix, a USB to DC adapter and a quick start manual.

AkasaHelix001

Design, Build and Functionality

From a design standpoint the Akasa Helix wasn’t exactly love at first sight. Its simple metal design with bits of black rubber and plastic came off as cheap, but we soon found out that this is no reason to be turned off from the cooler.

AkasaHelix008

Taking a closer look you begin to see the details which demonstrate the thought and effort Akasa put into the Helix reflecting many of the features that we liked about the Quasar. For example, like the Quasar the Helix has handles on either side of the cooler. Both handles are not simply cut out of the metal but also reinforced for grip and cleanliness with a plastic bezel. Usually we find similar plastic additions to be glued but Akasa took the extra step of using screws which give the cooler a better finish.

AkasaHelix011

Looking at the shape of the body, the Helix makes a relatively flat impression though it still has its curves. The front of the cooler embraces an angled edge that curves into the top of the cooler. In the middle, where the fan is located, is a slight dip. This dip is not only about aesthetics but also for better cooling “power”. If the fan is blowing too much air, the dip gives the air some space to flow where there are no vents.

AkasaHelix014

As we get to the rear we find that it is once again a bit higher than many coolers but this makes the cooler somewhat more practical, at least in some aspects. Basically, the high back does what the feet do on most other coolers, it increases airflow and creates a more comfortable angle. Importantly, it does so without the possibility of it “falling” half an inch as it frequently happens with unstable feet. Feet are usually great to improve the mobility of the cooler, but at the same time the feet at instability; in our experience when reaching for stuff behind the notebook or trying to just slide it a few inches across the desk, the feet fall down.

AkasaHelix009

While the higher back should be a positive aspect of the Helix, at least for the less mobile users, we found that the design had some minor drawbacks in terms of control and input port locations. Already with the Akasa Quasar we found that the controls and input ports were too difficult to reach, and the Helix has a similar issue. Located at the right side of the cooler, the ports and switches are on the inside of the handle. The design keeps them out of the way but make it difficult to change the fan speed with a laptop on the cooler.

AkasaHelix010

All in all the design and build of the cooler grows on you quickly as you begin to appreciate the details of the cooler. From a design point of view, the Helix works for “gamers” or “professional” users alike while generally blending into nearly any user type due it its minimalistic design and its machined aluminum surface.

Cooling Performance and Noise

With the cooling surface of the Akasa Helix a bit on the constrained side due to the space between the holes being filled we expected our test results to be worse than the results of the Quasar. Though, to our surprise this wasn’t the case. The Akasa Helix actually performed noticeably better than the Quasar and pumped out some impressive numbers. (note: all testing was done with the “high” setting)

AkasaHelixIdle

AkasaHelixLoad

The reasoning behind the difference is that although Akasa labels the fans as having the same 500 RPM on the low setting and 800 RPM on the high setting the Helix appeared to be running at a higher RPM and thus more airflow.

In terms of noise the Helix is louder than its sibling, the Quasar, due to the higher quantity of airflow and a faster spinning fan. However when compared to other cooler’s we have tested the Helix is still a tad on the quiet side.

Conclusion

Being as simple as it is, the Akasa Helix seems to be a relatively “generic” product at first, but there is truly more to the cooler than that. Just like the Quasar, the Helix left us with good impressions. It is well designed to optimize performance while not sacrificing any details in craftsmanship or practicality.

Pros Cons
  • Build quality & attention to detail
  • Cooling performance
  • Neutral design
  • Price – Lack of features for price (USB Hub)

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We’re back and Ready to Bring You More Reviews!

We’re back and Ready to Bring You More Reviews!

Posted on 06 September 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

While most peoples’ summer regiment include a relaxing day on the beach or a nice backyard BBQ some of our staff members have been busy relocating across the globe. Unfortunately, this led to some downtime for reviews, but finally we are back!

First of all, thank you to our loyal readers who have been sending in questions and who have been checking in on us.

We have a few reviews coming up in the next month and a half including the Akasa Helix. We also just got word from CoolerMaster that the recently updated NotePal Infinite Evo is on its way to us along with the NotePal U Stand.

Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for our latest articles and reviews!

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Editor’s Choice: Razer Onza Tournament Edition Gaming Controller Review

Editor’s Choice: Razer Onza Tournament Edition Gaming Controller Review

Posted on 25 June 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

It was back at Tokyo Game Show 2010 when we got our first look at the Razer Onza Tournament Edition (TE). With the little time we had with it, we were already able to get a basic and quite positive feel of the controller. Unfortunately, the limited time we spent with it left many questions unanswered. Today, however, we have the final version of the Onza TE and we have had ample time to evaluate it.

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Akasa Quasar Notebook Cooler Review

Akasa Quasar Notebook Cooler Review

Posted on 18 May 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

It’s not often that “portability” and “large” go hand in hand and today we will take a closer look at one of Akasa’s latest attempt at combining this unlikely duo; the Quasar Notebook Cooler which we were able to get our first hands-on at CeBIT 2011. (Note: a review of the Helix Notebook Cooler will follow soon)

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Razer Goliathus Gaming Mouse Pad Review

Razer Goliathus Gaming Mouse Pad Review

Posted on 16 April 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

These days it seems every manufacturer in the gaming industry has a cloth mouse pad; SteelSeries has the Qck, TT eSPORTS has the DASHER, ZOWIE GEAR has the N-RF amongst others and of course Razer has the Goliathus. They are considered the cheapest gaming mouse pads available and are often overseen. Most people seem to think of them as basically exactly the same, in the end they all use cloth, foam and rubber, don’t they? If it really was that easy, wouldn’t all homes be the same as well? Each one has a foundation, walls, and a roof, don’t they? We all know how ridiculous this generalization is and it’s the same for cloth mouse pads as well. Each mouse pad uses a different fabric, has a different texture, thickness etc, the Goliathus included.

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Tt eSPORTS Grows Some Wings At CeBIT 2011

Tt eSPORTS Grows Some Wings At CeBIT 2011

Posted on 20 March 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

One year ago at CeBIT 2010 Tt eSPORTS was launched as a sub division of Thermaltake to bring gaming peripherals to gamers. At the launch they released an impressive lineup designed accommodate a variety of gamers. Fast forwarding to CeBIT 2011 they brought along products released in the months leading up to the event such as the Black Element and released of the Azurues Mini and MEKA. They have also taken a new approach to marketing and branding their products by growing wings and the ability to spew fire.

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OCZ Unleashes the Vertex 3 on Europe At CeBIT 2011

OCZ Unleashes the Vertex 3 on Europe At CeBIT 2011

Posted on 20 March 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

Stopping at the OCZ booth at CeBIT 2011 was a no brainer as they have become one of the leaders in SSD technologies. Starting out as a memory firm it is no surprise they have migrated their way to SSDs, what is surprising, though, is the speed at which SSD drives have become common place. If you asked a computer enthusiast what OCZ made five years ago, they would most likely reply with RAM, today they would have to say Solid State Drives.

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Enermax Continues to Chill At CeBIT 2011

Enermax Continues to Chill At CeBIT 2011

Posted on 12 March 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

Visiting the Enermax booth at Cebit 2011 we were greeted by a rather pleasant surprise as we met the designer of the Enermax Aeolus N14. We also got to check out the latest Aeolus from the brand and took a quick look at the new Jazzmate hard drive enclosures.

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CoolerMaster Revitalizes a Legend in the Infinite EVO and brings along the P2 and L1

CoolerMaster Revitalizes a Legend in the Infinite EVO and brings along the P2 and L1

Posted on 09 March 2011 by Alexander A.T. Rainville

Our visit to the CoolerMaster booth at CeBIT 2011 was a blast and we got to go hands on with the latest coolers to join their lineup: The NotePal EVO, the P2 and the L1. All three coolers bring something new to parts of the collection which we thought needed to be addressed, whether it was reviving a line, whether it was creating a new one or whether it was updating the old, CoolerMaster has done it.

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