Pros: This is the only cooler I've been able to find that meets all of my needs: 1. Adequate width for 17" laptop 2. Smooth bottom surface for comfort 3. Air flow to the sides and rear, rather than to the bottom. I've had the unit for about a year, and it has held up pretty well, although most of the stickon bottom pads have come off.

Cons: Power to the fans and LED from the USB connection is erratic, subject to slight flexing of the cable connection. I have tweaked the contacts on the USB connector with marginal success, but I finally figured out that the underlying problem was a cold solder joint in the connection from the passthrough connection for the metal shell that encapsulates the USB plug (which is in the voltage path for the fans) to the circuit board. The large mass of the shell makes it difficult to get the tab hot enough to make a good solder bond without overheating the circuitry, but I finally managed to hold a small iron directly on the tab, and accomplish a solid joint. It seems very stable now.

Pros: This cooler replaced another operational laptop cooler . I was quite surprised and pleased to see substantial temperature drops after the changeover. CPU and Core temps dropped from 130-136 f. down to 99-104, and the HDs dropped from 100 & 120 to 88 and 99 degrees. The GPU dropped from 142 to 133. I have the unit operating at max speed, and there is a barely discernable hum. I don't plan to experiment with the lower speeds, as my first priority is to achieve as low temps as possible on my HP DV9000 laptop/toaster oven. The physical design of the NotePal is compatible with using the unit on my lap, with a relatively flat bottom, and nicely curved edges that make it easy to lift intact with the laptop. I appreciate the retainer clips on the back corners of the unit, that help prevent snagging the power and USB cables when moving the unit around.

Cons: Haven't found any yet.

Pros: Provides a good alternative mechanism for easy Web Signons. All Password/UserID entries are easily banked securely within the drive for access, and the application is fully contained with the unit. It includes a separate public access drive for file storage. It is very inexpensive.

Cons: I sometimes have to stroke fingerprints repeatedly to get a match, but my success rate is improving over time. The application doesn't survive hibernation or standby very well, so I usually have to close it out, which can be a bit awkward, and restart it. It only allows one user file, so it can't be set up for multiple, distinct users.

Pros: Runs quiet, runs cool, eSata works reliably, blue on/off and activity lights are unobtrusive, easy assembly, solid unit, inexpensive. So far, so good.

Cons: Should have vibration isolation mount for vertical placement, and rubber feet for horizontal. I am using a small piece of shelf liner as a substitute.

Pros: Nicely put together, solid little package, with good installation documentation in a PDF file on the enclosed mini-CD. They even included detailed pinouts for the USB & Firewire Cables. Everything I use worked from the getgo, with no drivers required for XP installation.

Cons: I agree with another reviewer that the unit would benefit from sealing. It will take a while, but I expect that some dust could accumulate in the contact areas over time. I plan to go back in an seal the rear opening around the cables, now that I'm confident I won't be returning the unit.