Where The ThermalTake iXoft Wins (and Where it Doesn’t…)
It doesn’t get much more portable than this. Because it is fabric-based, you can actually roll the ThermalTake iXoft Cooling Pad and stuff it into a day bag or a backpack. The materials are quite nice, but the initial plastic smell might be a little off-putting. It also makes a rather crunchy noise as you roll it or fold it, but this does not seem to damage the product in any way.
When placed on your lap, the cooling sensation is fantastic, because you don’t feel any heat whatsoever from your laptop (other than through the palm rests on the laptop itself). It’s not the fanciest solution, but it’ll keep your thighs nice and cool. Another thing that it seems to work well as is a cooling pad for your hind side when you’re sitting for long periods of time. The material inside actually turns cold when heat is applied to it.
On the downside, if your laptop has vents on its underside, the iXoft actually causes a reverse effect because it would effectively block these vents. It will not conduct this heat. It will not act as a heat sink. It actually chokes the exhaust of your notebook and could significantly increase the internal temperature. Not good. If you’ve got side vents, this is less of an issue.
Where the Lapworks Futura is Superior (and Where It Is Inferior)
Although you can’t roll it up, the LapWorks Futura is easily folded up, taking up less room than your laptop. The dual functionality definitely comes in handy, because you can use it on a desk as a stand or in your lap as an intermediary. The separation is usually enough to help prevent burning lap syndrome.
Unfortunately, the part of the Futura that actually touches your lap is not the most comfortable thing around. It’s a series of relatively sharp plastic and it could result in some rather unsightly creases in your pants. The rubber grips doesn’t exactly provide much piece of mind either, so you always worry about having your laptop slide off, especially when in desk stand mode.
ThermalTake iXoft or Lapworks Futura: Who Reigns Supreme?
Although I like the cool sensation provided by the iXoft — which works very well for separating the laptop heat from your body — or for cooling your backside on long flights — it ultimately fails because of the possible vent-blocking that occurs. It may have a tendency to choke out your notebook and this could result in reduced performance and impaired longevity. The Futura, while not being as “cool” in temperature as the iXoft, is more functional, especially since it it so versatile in its placement options. By being vented, it also aids in air circulation, assuming that the solid portions don’t block any exhaust vents.
So it’s pretty clear to us that increased air circulation and longevity for your laptop is far more important than the temperature of your things. With that in mind, it appears that the Lapworks Futura is on top for this round.
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