Belkin F5L001 Laptop Cooling Stand

The Belkin F5L001 Laptop Cooling Pad has been quite a popular buy over the years. As with other low priced laptop cooler pads the F5L001 has remained in many top store bestsellers lists since its release to the public. Belkin has made a name for itself over the years as being one of the top global manufacturers of computer hardware. Initially they specialized in connectivity devices but have since moved on to other products such as laptop cooling stands.

So is it the low price that keeps this product’s selling statistics high? Is it a big seller because everyone knows that the Belkin brand create reliable products? Or is it simply a bestseller because it truly is one of the best laptop cooling systems out there?

Belkin F5L001 - White

There are mixed reviews, 50/50 almost. So, read ahead and find out which side of the fence you will choose to stand on.

General

The cooling system on this Belkin F5L001 Cooling Pad is one that involves blowing air directly on the computer instead of trying to suck the hot air away from the computer. This is speculated to be the safest bet when using a cooling fan because a system that sucks air away can be counter-productive to some laptops. Instead of drawing the laptop heat down to push it out, the F5L001 takes full advantage of natural air flow by pushing the hot air upward through the channel and away from your laptop.

Actually, the science of cooling laptops isn’t just as you would think – “whack a fan here, a fan there. That’ll do it!” There is a skill at controlling where the air comes in, controlling or channeling the air to pass by the hottest components (i.e. the CPU, graphics card, etc) and controlling how and where the air is ejected from the case. In contrast to most other laptop coolers that use two fans to suck warm air from the laptop’s bottom, this cooling stand relies on the natural flow of heat and air circulation to do the hard work and needs only one fan for the job. The Cooling Pad’s fan does a good job of dispersing the heat efficiently.

Internal Fan

The central high-capacity fan is powered by plugging into a USB port on your laptop which means there won’t be any need for any bulky batteries or adapters to get in your way. As a little bonus the USB cable is tucked out of the way in a convenient storage compartment ready for use.

The laptop cooler pad’s unique patented wave design prevents your laptop from overheating. It uses natural convection to enhance fan cooling. This convex shape leaves room for better airflow and this is especially important if you work off of your lap. Even with the fan off, your thighs and the laptop will both be kept reasonably cool.

Side View

In terms of durability, the Belkin F5L001 Cooling Stand could’ve been made a little tougher to withstand any major knocks when traveling. Yes, this is the perfect cooling pad for travelers as far as how lightweight it is. It is just the right weight and size to be placed in a carry bag or day sack without much trouble. I still can’t help but wonder what would happen to the flimsy plastic if it was knocked a couple of times.

Comfort

The stand is set at just the right angle for ease of typing and to help reduce wrist strain.  By raising the screen height to line

up with your field of vision, it also reduces neck strain that is common to laptop users.

The elevation of the unit will not cause any slippage as the stand features rubber pads on the face and do a great job of keeping your laptop in one place.

To look at the unit it isn’t half bad in the style department with its sleek lightweight design. It will not win any awards for most spectacular design but will certainly pass as a cool accompanying accessory to your laptop if you ever happen to be in public with it.

For its reasonably low pricing I think this is a pretty good choice for an average laptop cooler pad. I don’t think it stands out

as being that unique a product even if it does have a convex wave to its design. I have reviewed many others that are real head turners but then they do cost a lot more.

It does a great job of cooling your laptop and is well suited for travel, (as long as you don’t drop it), so I think in answer to those questions above the Belkin F5L001 Laptop Cooling Pad may just be a combination of them all.

Features

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  1. Patented wave design and high-capacity fan enhance cooling capabilities.
  2. Ergonomic features improve typing comfort and reduce wrist and neck strain.
  3. Fits conveniently within laptop bag.
  4. Grips pads to prevent laptop from slipping.
  5. Belkin Liftime Waranty.
  6. USB-powered; no bulky batteries or adapters necessary.
  7. Convenient storage compartment for USB cable when not in use.

Specifications

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Dimension 12.6 x 11.6 x 1 inches
Weight 1.6lbs
Material Plastic
Compatibility Supports all 14″ – 15″ laptops
Power Supply
 USB port

    Pros and Cons

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  • Stylish and easy to use.
  • Set at a good angle for use.
  • Low power consumption through your laptop’s USB port .
  • Does a good job of cooling the laptop.
  • Keeps the user’s lap cool.
  • Excellent price
  • Has a convex wave design, adding room for airflow.
  • It’s lightweight and comfortable on your lap.

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  • The fan isn’t as quiet as some laptop coolers.
  • Fan cooling fins have been known to break off.
  • USB cable wire may become worn after a lot of use.
  • There is no USB port on cooling stand.

Average Amazon Rating: 3.0

Price

Customer Reviews

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I have had my Belkin F5L001 for over 1 year now, with no fan failure. The fan is not as quite as it used to be but this unit is very good at cooling and the fact that it blows air into the laptop to cool, is the reason, IMHO. I have taken mine apart a few times to give it a good cleaning, but other than that nothing special. I use a TV tuner a lot and that creates a lot of extra heat and it keeps the laptop at a temp of 102 deg running for hours. 102 deg is just a high temperature for us humans. Without the cooling unit it tops 114-120 deg at times. I have my laptop on daily 12-20 hrs with no heat related issues ever.

By J.Donnavan

A must have for laptop owners regardless of whether the unit is portable or stationary. I have read about the disastrous effects heat can have on the system and after much neglect, decided to take steps to help alleviate the problematic area. After some research, I figured Belkin to the best choice for my situation and came away very satisfied with the product. It is priced reasonably and the single fan is both attractive and fully capable of handling its assigned duties.

By M.Shwartz