Customer Reviews
Not enough cooling power 
2008-07-08
If you have a notebook that runs warm, then this fan system should be fine. However, if your notebook is hot to the touch, this product does not have enough cooling power.
It is relatively quiet and fits my laptop with 14" screen well but just can't keep it cool. I'm trying to replace an external USB fan that I had which was a little loud but had great cooling power.
I'm going to return this product and try the Thermaltake Mobile Fan II External USB Cooling Fan - Us
Update on July 11: I returned the Targus and bought the Thermaltake and love it! It has over 50% more airflow, over 25% less noise and is built very solid. Note that the Thermaltake needs to sit on a surface next to your computer (or any other device that you want to cool) so if you actually need something that will sit on your lap, this will not work for you. But if you are always working on a surface, the Thermaltake is a great product. It was even half the price of the Targus a few days ago but looks like they've reduced the Targus now to $11 (it was about $20). My recommendation would be to pay the extra 1 dollar for the Thermaltake if you have a surface to work on.
Cool, portable, light 
2008-07-02
I would like to start off by saying that I am very pleased with this product, it's very light, keeps my computer cool, and doesn't need to be plugged into the wall. The Chill Pad sits comfortably on your lap, or on your desk. I have a 17'' laptop and it sits fine on the chill pad, to sit perfectly fine it would have to be about 2 inches wider, but it does a superb job keeping it cool with its current size.
small, light, it works...for now. 
2008-07-01
I purchased this one, as oppose to the other 4 or so popular ones because it was on sale, currently, it is listed at $25, it is not worth that much.
I have a cheap dell, so it overheats and this cooler does a good job at keeping it cool. It's not the most powerful thing in the world, but it gets the job done, unless your laptop major overheats. My laptop fan is directly over one of the cooler's fan, so it worked out well for me, but it might not for other people since its focus point is whats pictured.
Pro:
It is a closed backside, meaning you can keep it on your desk or put it on your lap. I keep it on almost all the time - sometimes even at night when I'm sleeping and I don't hear any noise at all, 6 feet away.
Con:
The usb cable is too long. Its hard to clean since you have to reach from the back to the middle, or the top in - but who really cleans them? The plastic and 4 black button thingy on the back (it actually fell off, but you don't really need it) is cheap. After about nine months of use, the cord part starts to get silly - I have to bend it in a certain way for it to work - with the help of a rubber band.
Cools fine, but not if you like to move your laptop around. 
2008-06-30
I got this because I sometimes have to work extra hours on my MacBook, that heats up quite a lot.
In terms of cooling, the the pad works fine. I mean, the laptop does not stay *cold* to the touch, but it certainly takes a lot longer to warm up and stays at a comfortable working temperature. The moving fans are encased so that you can easily use this pad on your lap or sofa without worrying about the fans doing any damage.
So why only 3 stars? Well, the cable that connects the machine to the USB port is really flimsy and the connection is not good. Within a month of getting this, the fans just stopped working on occasion and I soon realized that this was simply because the cable was moving slightly and this meant the current was no longer flowing. In practice what this means is that the pad now only works if the cable is arranged just-so and does not move at all.
Personally, I like to work on my laptop in the living room, and change positions a lot. I put the computer on the coffee table, then move it to my lap, onto the sofa etc. etc. That's why I work with a laptop. This doesn't work at all with the cooling pad because every time I move a little the cable moves and the fans stop working. It works fine as long as my laptop is on the table, but if I put it on my lap the cable moves all the time and I keep having to rearrange it.
So, this is an OK-ish product for the price, as long as you like to work with your computer in a stationary position (i.e sitting at a desk). If you like to work on your lap or move the computer around, it doesn't do the job. I have now decided to try and purchase a different cooling pad, and use this one for my x-box instead. There it can remain stationary and do its cooling job.
Flimsy, different than picture 2008-06-28
First of all, the cooler I got looks nothing like the picture. It's more hourglass-shaped than rectangular. That makes it hard to firmly hold the laptop and the cooler at the same time when lifting them.
Which leads directly to my next point: the cooler won't tolerate any drop at all, even the one foot length of the USB cable. Mine broke two fan blades; it happened the first day I had it.
It still works, but it vibrates quite a bit on my lap (or I would have given it one star, ha).
It does prevent the laptop from cooking my legs, which is what I bought it for. But I doubt it'll last the week.
Computer Kooler 2008-07-15
I purchase 2 of the Targus ChillPads. They do work and now I feel NO HEAT coming from the bottom of both computers. I highly recommend them for anyone who uses a MacBook or Laptop at home.
Garbage 
2008-07-13
I was using this with my macbook pro.
This is a horribly designed chill pad. It doesn't raise the laptop up enough to allow any significant air flow, to actually make the fans worth the battery consumption (which wasn't too bad). The two rubber feet on the top edge that raise your laptop up will melt onto the case, and leave black marks. The little dongle switch falls apart, constantly, and you have to push it back together. And WHY is everyone making chill pads out of PLASTIC??? It's called aluminum! Use it!
I had this for about 3 months before it stopped working. You cannot set your laptop on your lap while using this, it doesn't even come close to covering the bottom of my laptop, and the fans are laughably weak. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case with most cooling pads.
Works Great 2008-07-11
Purchased the product two days ago and it came in the mail yesterday. I've been using the chill pad since last night.
First of all, like others before me have mentioned, the picture of the chill pad online is not representative of what the actual product looks like. The one I received is gray, shaped like an hourglass and doesn't look as sturdy. However, I have an Inspiron E1505 which is quite heavy but it seems to hold up just fine. As far as the wiring goes, it is not made of the strongest material but since I primarily use it on a desk with little movement, it works just fine. The most important thing is that the chill pad actually chills my laptop. My only concern is that my laptop fan still works fairly hard even though the bottom only feels slightly warm. That may just be my laptop's problem though. Oh and also the price dropped by 10 bucks the day after I purchased it. What gives?
Think Twice 2008-07-10
I would not recommend anyone to buy this product. The plastic blades which make up the fans starting breaking after two weeks. Then after another 2 to 3 weeks the cord started not to work without me wiggling it around. Then it just stop working altogether. Do Not Waste Your $$$!!!!
Depends on your use 2008-07-10
I have had this since January 2008. It has done a very decent job of helping to cool my Dell 1525 laptop.Which does a decent enough job on its own i must admit. Yes the picture is different and it is made of plastic. If you are a busines user I do not know if this will help, but for Home use on a normal scale, I would say this product helps to keep the Laptop cool.
P.S My brother has an HP Laptop and is a Journalist. he uses his laptop a lot. His Laptop Fan does not do a good job at all of keeping cool. This Product has helped tremendously.
Also Best Buy are selling this for $31.
