Not much of an asset for Air owners, though

May 13, 2008 22:36 GMT  ·  By

So, they say this Zefyr is a high efficiency MacBook cooler huh? Well, does the fact that it drains its power from the MacBook Air's single USB port count as a plus? Luckily, moshi's add-on is also suitable for MacBook (not Air) users, so I guess we know who's buying.

"A MacBook under continuous demanding usage will become uncomfortably warm and the noise generated by the internal fans will become disruptively loud", moshi notes. "Without proper thermal management, your MacBook may overheat to a point where it runs much slower or even locks up. As a subtle yet effective cooling solution, Zefyr is designed to maintain your MacBook's system stability even under peak loading conditions", the company explains.

Needless to say, MacBook users, as well as MacBook Air owners have reported freezing issues due to overheating, so an external cooler such as moshi's Zefyr is a good solution. It's not exactly cheap, but it isn't pricey either - $75.

So, here's what makes the Zefyr so efficient: a high-thermal conduction interface compound enhances heat dissipation by providing a direct heat conduction path between the MacBook's bottom casing and Zefyr's cast aluminum heat sink assembly; the thermal interface compound is soft and compressive to ensure decent contact while preventing abrasive scratches to the laptop; heat accumulated in the heat sink is then released through the sides by the USB-powered fan that runs "near silent", moshi claims.

The company also notes that it is "extremely portable and does not require the use of additional power adaptors". No, but it does require connecting to the Air's only USB port. Sorry, just had to get it out of my system. In fact, Apple is to blame here for compromising on the ports. Where is that fan going to drain its power from, a stationary bike?

Photo Gallery (2 Images)

Zefyr picture #1
Zefyr picture #2
Open gallery