Thermaltake Mobile Fan 12

Author
Rich
Editor
Aron Schatz
Posted
October 4, 2010
Manufacturer
Thermaltake
Product Page
Mobile Fan 12
Views
115897
Thermaltake Mobile Fan 12
The Mobile Fan 12 isn't really something you'd use to cool your computer, but it does make a handy accessory for cooling people. If you need a portable fan to make your computing experience more comfortable, look no further than the Mobile Fan 12.

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Page 1
Introduction

There are a lot of laptops out there that are running hot, really hot. It’s even gotten to the point where it’s become uncomfortable to work with them. It could be a laptop that we have to use for work, or a personal laptop that we can’t bring ourselves to get rid of. In either case, a replacement might not be in the budget. Thermaltake’s Mobile Fan 12 provides us with a simple and effective cooling solution to make our experience much more comfortable.

About Thermaltake

Quote

We live in a world where most things seem to move at the speed of light. At Thermaltake, we feel the same way and that is exactly how Thermaltake conducts itself to deliver innovative, reliable and customer-centric solutions to the worldwide market.

Since the beginning of Thermaltake in 1999, it has been at the forefront of creating new and exciting products at a time where most computer users were provided little to no choices for components that may seem irrelevant, but in reality crucial to the performance of a PC.

Thermaltake Server Series solutions, with years of thermal experience and industry leadership, sets its goal on reforming total thermal management in server segment by formulating the perfect mixture of versatility, efficiency and thermal management with each respective server product category: Rackmount Chassis, Server Fixed & Redundant Power Supply and Server CPU Cooling Management Solutions.

With its comprehensive line of products available, it enables Thermaltake's core customers to enjoy a one-stop-shop experience, reduce product design-in evaluation period and most important of all, flawless integration process. Each of Thermaltake's strengths enables its customer to focus on their core business while taking advantage of the skills and efficiency of a single thermal management solution partner.

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/About.aspx


Packaging

The Mobile Fan 12 comes in a matte finished box with a few glossy photos. It’s not very wordy, just enough to let you know what you’re buying. There’s a tab at the top so retailers can hang it from standard retail pegs.

MobileFan12_Packaging.jpg

Page 2
Specifications

  • Fan Dimension 120 x 120 x 25 mm
  • Fan Speed 800 ~ 1,500 RPM ± 250 RPM
  • Fan Speed Control VR Knob: Manual Fan Speed Adjustment
  • LED Color N/A
  • Bearing Type Sleeve
  • Noise Level 19 ~ 33.5 dBA
  • Max. Air Flow 66.55 CFM
  • Max. Air Pressure 1.42 mmH2O
  • Power Connector USB 1.1 / 2.0
  • Rated Voltage 5 V
  • Started Voltage 4 V
  • Rated Current Max 0.3 A
  • Static Pressure
  • Operation Temperature
  • Power Input Max 3.6 W
  • MTBF 50,000 Hours @ 25 degrees Celsius
  • Weight 267 g


Feature Explanation

Quote

  • Application for Notebook and Desktop
  • Convenient Solution for "Mobile User"
  • VR knob : Adjust fan speed manually
  • One-touch retractable USB power cable box
  • Directly plug into USB port. Unnecessary additional power supply

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1295&ID=1914


Package Contents

In addition to the Mobile Fan 12, Thermaltake packages an USB cord and some literature along for the ride.

MobileFan12_Contents.jpg

Page 3
Using the Mobile Fan 12

To use the Mobile Fan 12, just attach one end of the included cable to the fan, and the other into a USB slot. That’s it, the fan will start to spin almost immediately. The cable is on an automatic winder that works really well to wind the cable with the push of a button.

The fan is on a wire framed stand that brings it about a half an inch off the surface it’s on, angling it slightly upward. There are notches in the feet of the stand that don't appear to be useful at all. The stand wasn't designed to fold in, which seems like something that could have been easily executed by adding a hinge where the stand is connected. It would have really added to the portability of the device. It fits in many of the larger pockets of laptop bags, but the stand would create a protrusion causing the pocket to close awkwardly. Perhaps the biggest disappointment about the Mobile Fan 12 is that there’s no way to use it with a computer that isn’t on a hard flat surface. This could really be a problem for people that frequently use their laptops on their laps. Maybe having a clamp attachment for the stand to allow you to clip it to the side of a laptop would have created some more versatility.

There’s a speed control knob on the left side of the fan that I personally didn’t find particularly useful. The fan wouldn’t really keep me comfortably cool unless it was on full blast. However, others may find it more useful as everyone’s comfort levels differ. It would also be more useful to those using the Mobile Fan 12 as a substitute for a desk fan; which I find to be practical possibility. The Mobile Fan 12 certainly has enough power and runs extremely quiet. Even on full blast, it’s barely audible.

MobileFan12_Laptop.JPG


Conclusion

If you have a laptop that runs uncomfortably hot, the Mobile Fan 12 can really make a difference. It also has potential to double as a substitute desk fan. Despite some minor design flaws that affect its versatility and portability, we could definitely recommend the product as an effective cooling device - for people. It retails for less than $20 (Newegg Link,) which puts it at a high price point for a personal cooling fan, but it is a very interesting product. You\'ll have to make the choice if you want to spend the money to keep yourself cool on the go.

ASE Labs would like to thank [url=http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/]Thermaltake
for making this review possible.

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images/siteimages/upload/2010/09/16/4225l25.jpg MobileFan12_Product.jpg images/siteimages/upload/2010/09/16/4226lfu.jpg MobileFan12_Packaging.jpg images/siteimages/upload/2010/09/16/4227lwu.jpg MobileFan12_Contents.jpg images/siteimages/upload/2010/09/16/4228liu.jpg MobileFan12_Laptop.JPG

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