Cooler Master is a manufacturer that is perhaps best known for its computer cases, computer cooling solutions, and power supplies. To help separate a new notebook accessory line from the company, Cooler Master decided to create a whole new brand called Choiix. Making its official debut at COMPUTEX Taipei 2008, Choiix hasn’t even populated its website with the product line. Thankfully, we were able to sit down with the folks at Choiix to find out what they’re all about what they’ll be able to bring to the table.
At launch, Choiix plans on having three items. They’re all meant to be both fashionable and functional.
Ergonomic Metal Sleeve for Heat Dissipation & Screen Protection
Designed for travelers, the Ergonomic Metal Sleeve actually serves too functions. First, it is a hard sleeve that you can use to protect your laptop or tablet PC while traveling. It is held closed by a series of three Velcro straps, but there are significant sections where your notebook is still exposed to the elements (and possible damage). In this way, it’s probably a better idea to stow the Ergonomic Metal Sleeve in a larger bag than to use the Sleeve on its own.
You’ll also notice that there is an aluminum plate on one side of the sleeve. This stiffness can help to protect the delicate touchscreens found on Tablet PCs and similar devices. Contrast this to soft sleeves that can still to prone to getting crushed. The outer casing will be available in a variety of materials, including leather and artist-inspired patterns. The basic ones will be sold in your choice of black, green, blue, and pink.
The second function of the Choiix Ergonomic Metal Sleeve is that it can be used as a lap or desk stand. The shape of the Ergonomic Metal Sleeve provides for an ergonomic typing angle. The aluminum plate is said to help with heat dissipation as well, though I’d imagine it can’t be that great if it’s blocking any vents in the base of your notebook. Choiix plans on selling three versions, supporting laptops ranging from 7-inches to 14-inches in size.
Easy Fit Eee PC Sleeve
There’s no denying that the Asus Eee PC and other similar subnotebooks are getting more popular by the minute. The laptop accessory market has to expand to accommodate these smaller computers, so Choiix is jumping all over this market with the Easy Fit Eee PC Sleeve.
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Unlike some other sleeves where you have to remove the computer before being able to use it, the Easy Fit Eee PC Sleeve is meant to be used with the subnotebook still inside. There are straps in each of the four corners to hold your Eee PC in place, and the one in the lower left corner has a convenient hole cut into it so that you can still access the headphone jack.
Aside from the protective properties of the Easy Fit Eee PC Sleeve, Choiix has also included places on the inside to stow small documents and SD memory cards. Obviously, you’d have to take your Eee PC out of the case before being able to access these compartments. This makes for a rather strange design in this way. The Easy Fit Eee PC Sleeve will likely ship in a variety of colors and materials. Choiix is entertaining the possibility for everything from leather to nylon, pop art to tribal art.
Air-Through Thin Notebook Cooling Pad with Hub
Taking a design inspiration from the MacBook Air, the Choiix Air-Through Thin Notebook Cooling Pad with Hub serves several purposes. First, there are two fans embedded in the back that draw air through to the base of your notebook. The large gaping hole in the center of the Air-Through ensures that no vents are being blocked and it also helps to provide “superior ventilation and cooling performance.” The fan speed does not appear to be adjustable, but there is a simple power button along the right side for turning the fans on and off.
Further to its cooling performance, the Choiix Air-Through is also constructed with an aluminum panel and frame. Secondly, because the MacBook Air only comes with a single USB port, Choiix has outfitted the Air-Through with a 4-port USB hub. This way, you’ll have plenty of space to plug in a mouse, USB flash drive, or any other USB peripheral. Naturally, the Air-Through can also be used with other smaller laptops as well.
Third, the Choiix Air-Through has been “ergonomically designed for maximum comfort.” The slight angle makes typing a little more comfortable and it raises the laptop display a little closer to eye level. That’s probably a good thing for both your eyes and your back.
When, Where, and How?
Choiix is still ironing out all the details for all three of these items, so we can’t tell you for sure when they plan on launching the Ergonomic Metal Sleeve, the Easy Fit Eee PC Sleeve, and the Air-Through Thin Notebook Cooling Pad. According to the survey that they were handing out, the Ergonomic Metal Sleeve could retail for anywhere between $20 and $40, the Easy Fit Eee PC Sleeve could sell for between $10 and $25, and the Air-Through could sell for between $20 and $40. Expect the Choiix product line to show up through the usual distribution channels.
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