Manufacturer: Cooler Master
MSRP: $49.99

After my wonderful experience with the NotePal LapAir, I was a bit surprised to have another Cooler Master product sent to me in the mail. I figured that with such a fine laptop cooler like the LapAir, they wouldn’t need another product. It turns out, however, that Cooler Master has a high-end cooler for serious laptop gamers. For gamers with money to spend, this is a laptop cooler with all the bells and whistles.

The Infinite Evo is suitable for use with 17” laptops. It cools using twin fans that push air under the bottom of the laptop almost silently. It includes a variable throttle to control the fan, although I don’t know why you would want to change the fan speed. The Infinite Evo includes three USB ports, allowing it to act as a hub for your laptop. Unlike other laptop coolers, the Infinite Evo does not come with a cushion underneath, as this unit is less about comfort and more about performance.

Since this item is marketed towards those looking for maximum performance, I tested its performance under similar conditions as I did the LapAir. I found that it did reduce the operating temperature of my laptop substantially; however, despite its sleek design, I found that it did not cool my laptop any better than cheaper models that Cooler Master already sells. While there might be more of a difference with a top of the line gaming laptop bought within the past six months, most machines will not benefit substantially from this cooler’s added power. I also tested it with other computers, and found that this unit did not cool Macs any better than the LapAir (Note: That is not necessarily a knock on Cooler Master, as Macs are really shaped differently. But Mac owners should take heed of this when looking for coolers.) To be clear, I’m not saying the Infinite Evo cools badly. I’m saying that its cooling is comparable to cheaper models. Given the higher price, what you are really paying for is a USB hub and a fan control on top of cooling. I’m not sure that the extra cost is worth the bells and whistles.

Ruining a laptop because of poor temperature regulation is a completely avoidable problem, and there are plenty of products that can help with it. For most gamers, you probably don’t need the more expensive Infinite Evo because you can get comparable cooling from other units. For those gamers who really push their laptops as hard as they can, and you know who you are, you might consider this unit if you have $49.99 to spend.

Our Score:

Our Recommendation: