Friday, April 1, 2011

Thermaltake Massive 23 LX Notebook Cooler


Thermaltake is no stranger to cooling, it's what they do. Besides making world class CPU coolers, cases and power supplies, they also make some of the best notebook coolers on the market. I've already had the pleasure to check out two previous models of their Massive line of notebook coolers; the Massive 23 CS and the Massive 23 ST. I'm back today with their newest model; the Thermaltake Massive23 LX Notebook Cooler. What's the difference between them, you ask? Read on to find out.


What's Included:



The retail box is efficient with lots of pictures and information on the outside, as well as easy opening. (no hatchet required!). Inside the box is the Massive 23 LX wrapped in plastic as well as high quality foam padding. And that's it...no cord, nothing? What the...

Features:
  • Ergonomic angle design
  • 2 USB Ports & USB powered
  • 230mm blue LED fan
  • Fan On/Off control switch
  • Black metal mesh stylish design
  • USB cable storage drawer  
  • Anti-slip rubber
  • Supports laptop size from 10" ~ 17"
Specifications:
  • Dimension    376 (L) x 300 (W) x 51.5 (H) mm
    14.8 (L) x 11.81  (W) x 2.03 (H) in
  • Material    Aluminum & Pastic
  • Fan Dimension    200 x 200 x 20 mm
  • Fan Speed    600 ± 10% RPM
  • Max. Air Flow    54.6 CFM
  • Max. Air Pressure    0.32 mmH2O
  • Noise Level    17 dBA
  • Bearing Type    ----
  • Rated Voltage    5 V
  • Rated Current    0.21 A
  • Power Input    ----
  • Power Connector    USB
  • MTBF    ----
  • Accessory    USB A to USB A (600mm)
  • Application    ----
  • Weight    900 g / 1.98 lb

A Closer Look:





Removing the Massive 23 LX from it's box, I was greeted with a large, lightweight and slim notebook cooler. It's impossible to miss the huge 230mm (23CM) fan hidden inside. If you're a veteran of the aftermarket cooling world, you already know that the bigger the fan, the slower it needs to spin to create airflow and therefore the quieter it will be. So with a notebook cooler with a single massive 230mm fan move more air and be quieter than a notebook cooler with four 80mm fans? Yes. Period. That's not to mention less wires, less fans, less bulk and less things to break ;)
 
Upon further inspection you'll notice the on/off buttons and USB ports are all grouped on the left back edge of the unit. I also mistakenly found the USB cord hiding in a hidden compartment at the back upper edge of the unit. Very neat storage and will certainly help in not losing this cable. It also helps in keeping things together if you'll be transporting this cooler around town. It's light enough and compact enough (although large enough to hold a 17" notebook) to be mobile. The two carry handles, one on each side, feel great and secure in the hand, making this unit even more portable. 

The Massive 23 LX felt very good in the hands, like one solid unit. It really feels and looks "just right" as a notebook cooler. The only thing I found ever so slightly lacking was the feel of the on/off and lighting buttons. They feel a bit cheap but luckily they shouldn't be subject to heavy use. Either way you can always be assured that Thermaltake will stand behind their products. 

Installation and Performance:






Simply plugging in the Massive 23 LX to an available USB port on your notebook will supply the sufficient juice to power the massive 230mm fan and LED lights. 

My brand new 17.3" Hewlett-Packard DV7T SE notebook fit perfectly fine on this unit with all footings of the notebook resting securely on the Massive 23 LX. The built-in handles on the cooler, along with it's light weight and slim design, made it easy as pie to grab the notebook and cooler together with both hands and move them both easily around the table or around the house. It's really a superb and simple design. 

Needless to say the cooling not only sufficient, but rather exceptional. And silent. Again, a huge slowing moving fan will move tons of air with little to no audible noise. It's typically just a smooth whoosh as it's really the airflow you're hearing and not the fan or the unit itself.


Conclusion:

The Thermaltake Massive23 LX Notebook Cooler is an exceptionally designed and exceptionally simple notebook cooler. Why notebook coolers weren't like this one from the beginning is a mystery. The look, feel and performance all fall into the "just right" category. 

You guys all know that I've reviewed lots of notebook coolers, including some of the biggest and most expensive in the market. I can honestly say that this Thermaltake Massive23 LX Notebook Cooler would be the one cooler that has the right amount of the best features, including price! So how much for this cooler that I'm seeming to love so much? $100? Nope. $60? Nope. Come on, it's gotta be $45, right? Nope. The retail price for this fantastic cooler is only $29.99! Why so cheap? I'm guessing because it's really just a simple, efficient design. There isn't much too it, but enough to love. About the only thing it doesn't do is fold in half or allow you to change the LED color from blue. 

Be sure to check out my previous reviews of the Massive 23 CS and the Massive 23 ST which are earlier (and more expensive) models in the Massive line. The LX is the newest and most budget friendly model and quite honestly, I think I like it the best!

I can whole-heartedly recommend this to anyone, both casual, editor or gamer, looking for a new notebook cooler that can be moved with ease, but still packs the cooling punch and good looks needed. A big thanks go out to Thermaltake for sending this one over. It'll be sure to stay in my inventory for awhile. Like what you see? Then head over to Amazon.com right now and grab yourself the Massive 23 LX for less than $30!







1 comment:

  1. This is awesome!!! Mine gets hot after only a few minutes of using it, so this is perfect.. and I expected it to be way more expensive.

    ReplyDelete