Introduction:

Xpad Slim Laptop Cooler (pad?)

   It's been a few years since we have reviewed a product from XPad4Laptop.com. Our first experience wasn't the greatest but it was reviewed honestly and fairly and I stand by it today. Fast forward to today and I'm back again with another product from XPad. Oddly enough, at first glance it appears to be almost the same product. Upon closer inspection though, it's obvious that this is a slim version of their original creation. Let's take a look at the features.

Features:

• XPAD  SLIM (Non-slip Laptop Cooler & Heatshield)
                        ...the next generation of the best-selling original

• Cools your laptop without fans

• Protects your lap from laptop heat

• Non-slip interface keeps your laptop on your lap

Where are the cooling fans?
No Fans -- 100% Passive Cooling!
-Fan-based laptop coolers can be noisy, damage your Latop's USB port, and interfere with the natural airflow intended for your laptop cooling system

What is a laptop heatshield?
Keeps your lap cool for an indefinite period!
-Unique thermal insulation with air pockets build into its ABS composite structure makes Xpad the ultimate laptop heatshield

Non-slip?
You must try it to experience the comfort of a non-slip laptop on your lap!
-Rubber ‘X’ top will keep a tight grip on your laptop so that it stays put even if you don't

Packaging:

Shipping box

Retail Package

Retail Package

   The shipping box was very minimal with just a white box with grey logo. Inside was just the XPad Slim in a thin plastic shell. Maybe too thin. I would've liked to see some form of padding inside the box because the plastic shell on the XPad was a bit crinkled showing signs of bouncing around on it's corners during shipping.

A Closer Look:

   The first thing you'll notice upon taking this unit out of the packaging is just how extremely light it is. It feels like one single piece of plastic. That's not necessarily a good thing. It also feels pretty cheap. As the saying goes "the heavier it is, the more expensive it feels", well this unit feels free. But as you'll find when you go to buy one, it's far from free ($24.95 + $4.95 USPS priority shipping).

The unit is extremely thin and will not take up much room for sure under your laptop. The cooling corners of the Xpad Slim is a unique feature and in line with their company "X" image, however I'm just not sure how practical of a "laptop cooler" this is versus a simpler laptop desk or even simpler heatshield.

Damaged or Poor Quality? Both?:

   Closer inspection of the black rubbery surface that is designed to the be the bottom of the XPad Slim (the part on your lap, desk), there seems to be a pattern of poor quality when adhering the material to the plastic. The surface which appears to be black and smooth from arms length is in fact pretty messy up close. Every corner has some sort of defect in the construction along with the overall surface just looks fingered, as in smudges and stuff. Sure it shouldn't effect the overall performance of the unit since it's just going to sit on your lap or desk, but it's a sure sign of quality control in my opinion.

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