Choiix Air-Through Stash C-HL0W-KP Laptop Cooler Review

Imagine this, you're sitting at your desk working on your fancy new laptop and even spent the extra bux on a fancy laptop cooler.  Not only does the cooler help to prop the machine up into a more ergonomic position but also raises the screen for easy view.  The built in fans are doing a great job at keeping fresh air moving about which gets you thinking, I wish this cooler did more for me than just spin a couple fans around.

In this review we will be looking at the Choiix Air-Through Stash C-HL0W-KP Laptop cooler.  This laptop cooler that is more than you would expect from an inexpensive product filled with spinning fans and ergonomic shape.  In fact this cooler combines many of the things we use on a regular basis into a single convent device for handy laptop computing.

The Choiix C-HL0W-KP is a simple laptop cooler that draws air in thru the back of the device and blows it directly to the underside of your laptop.  The large opening in the middle of the laptop collects this air and pushes it out the two large slots to the left and right of the fan.  Of course this opening is larger than you'd image considering the height of the rubber feet found on most laptops.

Choiix claims the cooler is compatible with laptops up to 15" but is slightly undersized at only 12" across.

The C-HL0W-KP is completely self powered using USB.  The cable shown here is rather unique in that it features 2 standard USB plugs wired together.  As some of you may know there is a small amount of power available for USB devices, enough in fact to power lights, fans, refrigerators, and desktop rocket launchers.  However if you plan to use a bunch of USB devices you'll need more power than what is available on a single USB line.  The option here is to use an external power adaptor (not included) or plug in a second USB and double the output.

Most netbooks come with a limited amount of memory so you often find yourself hooked up to a network where you can save files or swap out Flash drives to back up important data.  Well when using the Choiix C-HL0W-KP you have an option to install a single 2.5" SATA hard drive directly into the cooler that is then accessible via USB like any thumb drive.  In simplest terms this is a portable hard drive enclosure that happens to also cool laptops.  

The Choiix Air-Through Stash laptop cooler is a very simple device that expands on the laptop cooler concept by adding a 3 port USB hub and built in 2.5" SATA hard drive enclosure giving you a variety of storage and connectivity options.  While the cooler is a little small for a standard 15" laptop the majority of netbooks will fit without any issues.  Cooling performance is decent given the slow spinning 8cm fan that provides just enough air movement to keep your fingers from getting too hot.

Now for the ever popular list of Good things and Bad things. 

Onboard storage option
Onboard USB hub
Everything is self powered
Optional power plug

Constructed from plastic
Rather large HDD enclosure to be carrying around
Undersized for 15" laptops
Power adaptor not included

We would like to thank Cooler Master and Choiix for helping to make this review possible