So called microfans were developed initially for handheld devices, like tablets and smartphones. Not surprisingly nothing really happened with these since there was no demand for them, but instead they might appear in the next generation Ultrabooks and ultrathin computers.
We have seen a number of tablets with integrated fans, and not surprisingly these models failed. Besides from making noise, they were one more mechanical detail that could break. These microfans are only 4 mm thick and is as thin as current technologies allows.
The so called microfan will come to use in a different market than the handheld one. Ultrabooks and other ultrathin computers are pushing to make designs thinner and thinner. Current Ultrabooks use either 5.5 or 7 mm fans, but Acer Aspire S5 is said to use the new microfan at 4 mm.
In normal cases a computer builder pays 1.15 – 1.2 dollar per fan, but the microfan costs up to 1.6 – 1.7 dollar. While thin fans are just as crucial as other components, one might wonder if there are drawbacks with the technology. TO us it would seem that a thinner fan would have to work harder , which would generate more noise. This is something we will investigate come the next generation Ultrabooks, and especially Aspire S5.
