Cooling Station
Nuby makes up for 
PlayStation's heating problem
with its Cooling System.
September 29, 1998 18:00
Amazingly enough, the most successful
32-bit system still has a problem that it
seems even Sony can't solve. Or doesn't
want to
or something.
Nuby believes it has the answer.
IGNPSX agrees. The Cooling System is
Nuby's latest brainchild a footpad that
sits right under the PSX with a fan that
points up into its underbelly. The fan
sucks cool air from the PlayStation and
simultaneously prevents consumers from putting the PlayStation on rug or
soft surfaces, which could keep a good consistent source of air from
entering the PlayStation.
Newer PlayStations may or may not have this kind of problem, but they
shouldn't according to Sony. These newer units are built with better
ventilation and a smarter, more economical architecture. But you sure
wouldn't want to find out the hard way, like in the 20th hour of an RPG
at the final boss, for instance.
Released into retail stores in mid-September at a MSRP of $29.99, the
Cooling Station prevents the PlayStation from heating up past 30
degrees, a critical point for the PSX.
The system is simple. It sucks cool air away from the PSX's components.
That's it. It has a separate source for electricity than the PSX, so all you
will need is a spare outlet, and it switches on and off by one level at the
rear. The Cooling System is lightweight and comes in the same light gray
as the PlayStation, and is built with one little drawer at the front that fits
about 10 Memory Cards.
It's unfortunate that the PlayStation would require such a device, but the
Cooling System is not the first of its kind, and it works well for those who
play excessively long hours at a time (i.e. all of us). It's just too bad Sony
didn't take care of this on its own and that we, the customers, have to
pay for it. But if you continue to have problems with overheating, this
solution does work, it's not terribly expensive, and comes recommended.
In November '98, Nuby will release a new system, Cool Rhythm, a
cooling device including a stereo amplifier and speakers, at a MSRP of
$39.99.
Douglass Perry |