Help me build a laptop Cooler with a DVD drive?

[TheGreatSatan]

Does this exist?

I have an Alienware M11x (Review coming) gaming laptop. It does not have an optical drive. I keep a fanless laptop cooler under my machine at all times. Some coolers have fans in them that power off one USB port to really keep them running, but I just like having the space under mine for it to breathe.

It would be really cool if there was a laptop cooler with a built-in DVD/CD drive instead of a fan. This way I could have my "space" under the laptop and a DVD drive when needed for gaming.

If this is NOT already available I intend to make one. Submit your thoughts.

[artoodeeto]

I used to work at a Micro Center store and never saw anything like that. Doesn't mean there isn't one out there, of course. I'd say make one, it'd be a fun project, and quite useful.

[d_stilgar]

I like this idea a lot.

[Luke122]

I say build it.. it shouldnt be too difficult either. :)

[TheGreatSatan]

I'm thinking, I just need a cooler at least as thick as the slim portable DVD drive that runs on one USB port. Then cut out a groove for the drive to sit in and a "gutter" for the cord too. Making the cord retractable would be the icing on the cake!

[Couch3ater]

Perhaps design your own fan? Theoretically, they're terribly fundamental. It's just the logistics of designing it, E.G., dimensions, manufacturing the blades, etc, that would be the difficult part. I can't see what it's implausible though. I say go for it. =D

[TheGreatSatan]

I thought there was a PC company/website that let you submit new ideas that they could use and give you a commission.

[simon275]

What I would do is get a slim loading laptop drive and try and rig up a USB interface for it. Then build it in between to MDF or plexi boards and cut some holes for fans as well.

Use the USB to power it.

One idea you could do is buy a cooler mount the drive underneath it and attach some legs to make it stable.

[TheGreatSatan]

Actually that opens up a question. Anyone know where I can buy MDF boards?

[Welches]

This is an awesome idea, I wouldnt mind one of those with a bluray drive and/or an external HDD in it. Or if you are feeling mad you could try to even make it a docking station

[msmrx57]

Actually that opens up a question. Anyone know where I can buy MDF boards?
Menards, Home Depot, or Lowes should have it.

[TheGreatSatan]

^ Thanks


This is an awesome idea, I wouldnt mind one of those with a bluray drive and/or an external HDD in it. Or if you are feeling mad you could try to even make it a docking station

I'm trying to keep it as thin as still possible. I just bought a Targus laptop cooler and I contacted them too. I'm waiting a call back to see if this can be done through them. They make slim external drives and coolers so the choice is obvious.

I starting the prototype tonight:banana:

[artoodeeto]

my sandcrawler is made almost entirely of 1/8" MDF (the base that the computer parts are mounted on is 1/4") that I bought at Orchard Supply. A 2' x 4' sheet is something like $7. And Home Depot will definitely have it too.

[TheGreatSatan]

Targus already makes slim DVD drives, laptop coolers and docking stations. I think I'm going to incorporate all three in this mod

[TheGreatSatan]

So for testing purposes I bought a Targus laptop cooler and split it down the middle

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050538.jpg

This center hump wasn't obvious when I bought it because I couldn't see the bottom through the package.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050539.jpg

The other side has the fans.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050541.jpg

I only need one fan, so removed the other and shave the other side down.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050542.jpg

Next comes the drive I'm using. I purposely picked a DVD ROM drive by Targus. I rarely burn a DVD and when I do, I have a desktop for that. I just need it for installing and playing games.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050543.jpg

I pulled the drive out of the casing to make it thinner.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050552.jpg

And then I set it in the cooler

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050553.jpg

I sandwiched it in

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050554.jpg

There are things poking out so I could use bondo or something

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050555.jpg

As you can see it's not quite thick enough.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050556.jpg

I may stick with this cooler when done or build my own. Although I'm leaning toward building my own because I'm considering adding more to the project, like a docking station.

I'm thinking it'll be about an inch thick. I'm working on some SketchUp's so I'll have those up soon.

[TheGreatSatan]

Looks like Dell makes something similar

http://www.notebookparts.com/products/description.php?II=23267

[diluzio91]

if i remember that is more of an expansion? it has the drives, and the computer connected to it for a performance boost and a hdd boost... uuugh... i had a buddy who had one....

[Okele]

What about some standoffs to get the whole thing even then wrap the edge in a plexi. It would give you what you're looking for for the DVD drive and also making it looks sleek. The standoffs dont have to be real big just enough to keep the drive from messing with the way it sits. Just my thoughts

[TheGreatSatan]

I think I may look into a new casing. Can you think of something about the same size, but a little thicker and hollow on the inside? Anything will work...

EDIT:

Damn!

I think I found one already available, with cooling

http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/all-1-netbook-dock-dvd-writer-hdd-dock/

[Welches]

Cant give up that easy!

Just one up their design.

[TheGreatSatan]

I'm still going to try. At least it'll be cheaper if I do my own

[TheGreatSatan]

I'm in the process of deciding how thick is too thick. . . .? A normal cooler is about an inch or less and that's plenty for a DVD drive and a fan, but do I want more? Do I really plan on traveling with it and trying to stowe it??

I work on it more tonight

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

i would have to say anything thicker than your laptop closed is too thick... 1:1 thickness max imho... what about an external power source?i have a feeling fans + DVD + w/e is gunna eat your battery and such... i take it portability isnt the key thing here?

[TheGreatSatan]

I finally found the right starter piece: Here (http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/311784/Office-Depot-Metro-Mesh-3-Tier/)

It's a 3 tier file holder that mounts on a wall.

I only need one of the three, so I cut it down...and added the DVD drive

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050562.jpg

Then I painted it black.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050563.jpg

Next I added this cool BBQ mesh.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050566.jpg

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050568.jpg

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050570.jpg

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050574.jpg

I also added some sound dampening material to the back of the DVD.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050574.jpg

The last thing it needed was feet.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050581.jpg

Here it is:

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050577.jpg

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/TheGreatSatan/P1050583.jpg

I'm not done. I still want to add a fan

[Outlaw]

Pretty sweet.

With all the mesh would the fan be needed?

If you still wanted the fan, what about a temp operated fan? That way the fan wont always be on unless you are stressing the laptop.

[msmrx57]

Nice! Alternative uses for items, gotta love it. :up: