GeekSugar

Guess the Gadget

GeekSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:15:34 -0700

It's made by Dyson, so you know it's something super innovative. Can you guess what it is?

Keep Your Mac Cool by Controlling Your Laptop Fan

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:30:37 -0700

Last week I had one of those freak out moments when my laptop started acting like it had been possessed, as I had zero control over it. When it booted in safe mode, I knew it was time to get some backup assistance, and let's be honest, an involuntary safe boot on a Mac is almost like the blue screen of death on a PC.

Thankfully another resident geek guru came to my rescue and we both agreed that the 100-degree weather could be impairing my MacBook. And without further ado, he quickly installed one of his "fan favorites" (hee hee), smcFanControl. This free download allows you to control the built-in fan on every Intel Mac to make it run cooler. Macs are already insanely hot, so being able to rev up your fan from the default setting in hot weather definitely helps your Mac cool down. I've had it on full for the past week and it seems to be helping. Oh, and it also indicates the temperature of your laptop, so you can monitor whether you need the fan turned up.

Do you have a cool download like this one to share with geeksugar readers? To learn how to post your favorite sites to the Download of the Day group, read more.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Download of the Day group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Download of the Day")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture telling me why you love the download, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Download of the Day group and share information about all your favorite downloads! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Summer Gadget Gear For "The Office"

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:03:52 -0700

Once it turns into "Hot Sun in the City," it's practically game over unless you have a stellar air conditioning system or some handy devices to help you stay cool all Summer long. Here are just a few of my favorite fun gadgets that will surely keep you and your electronics cool throughout the hot months.

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Laptop Fan Stand Lets You Work In Odd Positions

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:00:29 -0700

We all know how important it is to keep our laptops off our laps and bed covers so they can stay ventilated and cool and we all know what happens when we don't, but are we really so lazy that we need stands that let us lie flat and work on our computers? Thanko has created an aluminum/steel laptop stand that's USB powered and features two fans that blow room-temperature air into your hot laptop. While the stand allows you to lay back in bed, you can also use it in more practical positions - such as on a table, sitting up in bed or in a chair. I find the notion of working at the computer while laying down almost laughable, but I do like the simplicity and practicality of this stand, which because of the fact that it's USB powered won't require any additional outlets.

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Source: Gizmodo

Love it or Leave it? Carbine Hook Fan Copter

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:00:56 -0700

What's your solution to keeping cool on a hot day? Do you drink lots of water, stay in the shade, or maybe you use one of these carbine hook fans? I don't know what your fashion sense is, but when I saw these fans on 7Gadgets my initial reaction was eek! Even though they come in a variety of colors and conveniently clip on a belt loop, I can't imagine having one of these fans dangling from my shorts. Although I'd definitely consider keeping one in my bag to pull out during a sweatstache emergency! What are your thoughts?

Geek Tip: Keep Your Electronics Happy In Summer Heat

GeekSugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:00:24 -0700

No one likes an overheated gadget and because dousing them with water isn't an option, it's important to remember that summer heat can cause some serious damage to your favorite electronics. Treat them the same way you would your delicate skin, by avoiding direct contact with anything too hot. Of Zen And Computing has put together a great list of really simple tips that will keep you and your gadgets in the cool zone this summer. Here are more:

Don’t Stack Electronics - Don't prop your TiVo on top of your TV or your DVD player on top of your VCR. Electronics get hot enough on their own, but when stacked on top of one another, they produce and conduct even higher temperatures. Use shelves.
Keep Vents Clear - Vents were made for a reason. It's that simple. Keep drapes, table cloths and decorative pillows off your gadgets and their vents. They need to breathe almost as much as you do.
Position Electronics Away from Heat - Don't store your electronics in direct sunlight or next to a space heater. In fact, if you can make sure they are near a fan or air conditioner. Remember: Heat rises.
In Case of Emergency, Shut Down - Isn't this always the answer?

Magic Notebook Cooling Fan

GeekSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:31:36 -0700

Need a way to cool down your laptop on the go? Evercool's Magic notebook cooler is a small device that can plug into your USB port and keep your laptop cool all day long.

Featured on 7Gadgets, each fan comes fully customizable with a 180 degree rotate-able positions and a two speed cooling control. As the fan reduces the temperature of your laptop, a red LED pentacle on the top will light up for special effect. The Magic Cooler is priced at $15. Sounds like the perfect accessory for my notoriously hot MacBook.

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The Cute USB Miss Piggy Fan

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 03:00:50 -0700

There is a small army of USB fans on the market, but have you seen one as cute and pre-school ready as this? This tropical USB Miss Piggy fan is one of those USB accessories that you either love or hate...and for me I can't help but go ahhhhhh when I look at it.

Perfect for keeping cool during those hot summer days, this fan can easily be powered up via a USB port or with two AA batteries. And don't worry about disturbing your fellow colleagues because the inner fan is really quiet, so no one will ever know you have a lovely breeze at your desk. You can also adjust the trunk of the palm tree any way you'd like to achieve that perfect position. Priced at only $12.

To see more pics of this fan, read more

View 4 Photos ›

Keep Cool With A Hello Kitty Fan

GeekSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:39:19 -0800

Sanrio, the experts of Hello Kitty gear, have just unveiled a new Hello Kitty electronic fan.

In comparison to the girl holding it, I'm going to assume that this thing is ginormous! The only way I'd sport one of these on my desk is if I couldn't breathe because of heat exhaustion or if I was Hello Kitty obsessed and already had these delightful goodies:

USB Fans Give Hope to Hot Geeks

GeekSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:42:28 -0700

Today is hot, ridiculously hot, in San Francisco (99 degrees hot), and as much as I love a good heat wave, this geek's gotta get herself a desk fan. And why settle for an ordinary fan when I can have one that looks fun and tropical like the ones below? And for extra geek points, they are both USB-powered - no batteries needed! The yellow Holywood USB fan costs $9 and includes a flexible neck so you can get it at just the right angle, while the blue USB flexible fan is only $7 and is a low power consumption fan. In the meantime, excuse me while I go douse myself in cold water.