DHC DESCRIPTION

The DHC Cooling Dock is now available as a new 3rd generation model. The innovative first-of-kind DHC is specially designed, engineered and sculpted from solid aluminum to support and silently cool current and prior generation Apple laptops.

The DHC's heatsink is carved from solid 6061 aluminum to create 6 cooling fins with 5 air channels cut to an incredible two inch depth, which provides the heatsink with a large 72 square inches of cooling fin surface area for improved heatsink cooling. The DHC’s 2.3 pound heatsink is made from continuous material with deep cooling fins to improve heat transfer, as well as improving heat flow within the heatsink mass. Compared to typical low-cost bolted or cast heatsinks, creating the DHC’s heatsink requires higher precision, longer CNC milling times and higher costs.

The machined heatsink is then painstakingly finished by hand with sanding, bead-blasting and anodize to create a non-glossy matte finish with extra course texture for increased surface area, greater heat transfer and improved heatsink cooling efficiency. The heatsink’s laptop coupling plate has a specially prepared finish to produce a flat surface for improved heat transfer through a thermally conductive interface that couples with the laptop to efficiently extract heat while protecting the laptop’s finish. Edge pads wrap around all four sides of the heatsink’s coupling plate to protect the laptop from impact without heat transfer interference. The coupling system and padding is installed by hand onto the heatsink, and is made from the highest-quality and best performing materials to simultaneously transfer heat and protect the laptop.

The DHCx not only achieves high levels of heatsink cooling efficiency, but has a design optimized for Apple laptops. The DHC’s heatsink is positioned at the laptop processor location to extract heat at the heat source. The overall support cradle width, heatsink coupling plate width and air channel locations match the laptop’s processor and built-in cooling system layout. The heatsink’s extra large central through-hole connects to a horizontal air channel with curving ends to supply cool air to the laptop’s center intake vent and flush out hot exhaust air for more efficient operation of the laptop’s built-in cooling system. The extra large through hole creates an open air space below the five vertical air channels to generate a passive current of cool air that continuously rises up to cool the six vertical cooling fins.

The DHC’s air channels support silent passive cooling airflow as well as active airflow from the optional Fx Cooling Fan. Angled vertical air channels in the DHC’s heatsink guide cooling airflow through the central hole and front horizontal channel to boost heatsink cooling performance, flush out hot air, and internally cool processors on laptops with a center intake vent, such as the 2021-2023 MacBook Pros (M2/M1 Pro/Max), 2012-2015 MacBook Pros (Intel Retina) and 2010-2017 MacBook Airs (Intel non-Retina). The DHC Cooling Dock and Fx Cooling Fan utilize a separated fan design instead of using a built-in fan as this allows the fan to generate more airflow with less noise, while also allowing the heatsink to be as large as possible with the most thermal mass and cooling surface area for best heatsink cooling performance.

The DHC and all Cooling Dock models work with the laptop operating in closed-screen clamshell mode while connected to one or more external monitors, external keyboard/mouse and power supply. All Cooling Dock models also feature a unique and stable leaning configuration for easy clamshell setup while the laptop remains connected to cables and safely in a padded cradle with adjustable/replaceable laptop support pads. All SVALT cooling systems use modular bolted / snapped cooling system assemblies and ship with the tools required for right-to-repair servicing, exchanging, upgrading and extending product life span. All SVALT products are made locally in the Pacific Northwest with a focus on sustainability, and use solid aluminum for enduring metal construction.

DHC FEATURES

3rd Gen Features

• Up to 96% deeper cooling fin air channels and thinner thermally conductive coupling plate for increased cooling surface area and improved heatsink cooling.
• 23% thinner thermally conductive material assembly for reduced impedance and improved heat transfer from the laptop to heatsink.
• Angled vertical cooling air channels for improved internal processor cooling when used with the optional Fx Cooling Fan and laptops that include a center intake vent, such as the 2021-2023 MacBook Pros (M2/M1 Pro/Max), 2012-2015 MacBook Pros (Intel Retina) and 2010-2017 MacBook Airs (Intel non-Retina)

2nd Gen Features

• Front horizontal air channel includes curving cutouts for improved airflow and heatsink cooling.

All Gen Features Overview

• Optimized for heatsink cooling with active airflow.
• Silent thermally conductive heatsink cooling.
• Specially engineered laptop coupling interface.
• Edge protection padding around conductive interface.
• Cooling fins transfer heat to surrounding air.
• Externally cools laptop enclosure at processors.
• Passive airflow cooling through air channels.
• Active airflow cooling with Cooling Fan Fx accessory.
• Fx internally cools laptops with center intake vent.
• Separate Fx fan moves more air with less noise.
• Separate Fx fan allows for max heatsink capacity.
• Clamshell setup with laptop safely in padded cradle.
• Replaceable user installed laptop retention pad.
• Works with a wide variety of metal enclosure laptops.
• Made from solid aluminum in Portland, Oregon.

Thermally Conductive Heatsink Cooling Features

• 9 square inch thermally conductive interface couples with the laptop’s aluminum enclosure to silently extract heat at processor location. The thermally conductive interface uses multiple layers of specially engineered low-thermal impedance materials and durable edge bumper padding with a special assembly system to protect the laptop surface finish while still achieving high levels of conductive heat transfer and cooling. The 3rd generation uses a 23% thinner material assembly for reduced impedance and improved heat transfer.
• 72 square inch 3rd gen and 63 square inch 2nd/1st gen of cooling fin surface area, which is the surface area of dedicated cooling fins that are primarily responsible for transferring heat from the heatsink to surrounding passive or active cooling airflows. There are 6 cooling fins with 5 vertical cooling air channels. The 3rd generation features up to 96% deeper cooling fin air channels with 14% increase in cooling fin surface area for improved heatsink cooling efficiency.
• 95 square inch 3rd gen and 87 square inch 2nd/1st gen of heatsink cooling surface area, which is the total surface area of the product that is or can be exposed to passive and/or active cooing airflow for potential heat transfer. The 3rd generation features a 9% increase in cooling surface area for improved heatsink cooling efficiency.
• 2.3 lbs 3rd gen and 2.5 lbs 2nd/1st gen heatsink milled from solid 6061 aluminum absorbs heat from the thermally conductive interface to the cooling surface areas, with the heatsink’s continuous solid construction increasing heat flow and cooling efficiency.
• Dock width, front horizontal air channel with curving ends and central passthrough air hole align with laptop vents for improved operation of the laptop’s built-in cooling system.

Optional Active Airflow Cooling Features

• Optional Cooling Fan Fx accessory adds a boost of active airflow cooling to heatsink Cooling Dock DHCR, DHC and DH models.
• The separate Fx Cooling Fan design allows for optimal airflow that moves more air with less noise, while also allowing the heatsink to be as large as possible with the most thermal mass and cooling surface area.
• Back cooling fin air channels transfer heat to active airflow.
• Extra large passthrough hole connects to front air channel to flush out hot air.
• Drives cooling air into compatible laptop center intake vent for direct internal processor cooling, such as with 2021-2023 MacBook Pros (M2/M1 Pro/Max), 2012-2015 MacBook Pros (Intel Retina) and 2010-2017 MacBook Airs (Intel non-Retina).
• Drives more cooling air onto laptop enclosure for direct external cooling.
• The 3rd generation DHCR features angled cooling air channels for improved active airflow cooling.

Workstation Features

• Compact product footprint for more open desktop.
• Heavy mass for increased stability.
• Non-slip feet for stable workstation placement.
• Two threaded underside holes for securing dock to media carts or for theft prevention.

Clamshell Mode Features

• Leaning vertical closed-screen clamshell mode support for easy and secure clamshell mode setup with access to power, Touch ID and keyboard while safely held within padded cradle and connected to cables.
• Disables laptop screen to optimize graphics for improved external display performance.
• Reduces laptop screen, keyboard, trackpad and battery use for increased lifespan.
• Uses external display, keyboard and trackpad / mouse for improved ergonomics.

Device Compatibility Features

• Edge protection pads located around all four sides of the thermally conductive coupling interface.
• Leaning support for compatibility with a wide range of laptops, tablets and other devices.
• Angled lower support shelf and non-slip padding for holding device in place.
• Optional user installed laptop retention pad locks device in place.
• Support system designed for universal Mac and PC laptop fit.
• Optimized fit and active airflow cooling with a wide variety of laptops.
• The 3rd and 2nd generation DHC models include curving cutouts in the front horizontal air channel for improved airflow and heatsink cooling.

Right-to-Repair Modularity Features

• Modular bolt/snap assembly for customer servicing, replacement, exchange or upgrade (optional Fx).
• Bolt-on fan with standard 3/4-pin fan connection for customer servicing, replacement, exchange or upgrade with nearly any 80x80x25mm fan (optional Fx).
• Product ships with all of the tools required for disassembly (optional Fx).
• Packaging system works with all Cooling Dock models.

Material and Component Quality Features

• High-quality 6061 aluminum structure for extra strength and durability.
• Anodized aluminum finish for matching Mac laptop finishes.
• Metal construction for long life span and end-of-life recyclability.
• High-quality fans with long life performance (optional Fx).
• High-quality components over-specced for increased performance and life.
• Minimal use of plastic for reduced environmental impact.
• Biodegradable package cushioning for reduced impact.

Company Features

• Designed and crafted with care in and around Portland, OR, USA.
• Design driven by a passion to make best-in-class products.
• Innovative design with patents issued and/or pending.
• Support and trade-ins for anyone with a SVALT product.

Additional Cooling Fan Features

• See Cooling Fan Fx product page for associated features.

DHC SPECIFICATIONS

Cooling System Specifications

• The DHC uses a thermally conductive coupling interface and large heatsink sculpted from solid aluminum to provide silent cooling (see features). In addition to the silent cooling, the heatsink’s backside cooling fins, pass-through air hole, and frontside horizontal air channel are designed for active airflow cooling with the optional Fx Cooling Fan that boosts heatsink cooling and internally cools processors on compatible laptops. The separate Fx Cooling Fan design allows for optimal airflow that moves more air with less noise, while also allowing the heatsink to be as large as possible with the most thermal mass and cooling surface area. The 3rd generation DHCR features angled cooling air channels for improved active airflow cooling.
• For Fx Cooling Fan specifications, see the Fx Cooling Fan product page.
• The Fx Cooling Fan can be purchased bundled with the DHC, or can be purchased separately later from the Fx Cooling Fan product page.
• See Product Setup page for product setup, operation and additional user guide resources.

Device Compatibility Specifications

• Compatible Apple / Mac Laptops: The 3rd and 2nd generation DHC models are compatible for cooling and fit with Mac laptop models from the last decade, as well as other devices per the compatibility criteria listed below. The 3rd and 2nd gen models are recommended for most laptops over the 1st gen model.
• Compatible PC Laptops: Most standard to small PC laptops and other devices per the compatibility criterial listed below.
• Compatibility Criteria for Types: Works with the following device and screen types: 1) Laptops operated in closed-screen clamshell mode while connected to an external display, keyboard/mouse and power supply. 2) Laptops with convertible/flip touchscreen, either while in a standalone configuration with touchscreen, or while also connected to a second display and/or keyboard/mouse. 3) Tablets with touchscreen, either standalone or connected to an additional display.
• Compatibility Criteria for Fit: Works with devices that are up to approximately 1.100 inches thick, but will vary depending on the bottom edge shape of the device. An optional laptop retention pad can be installed to lock the laptop in place.
• Compatibility Criteria for Cooling: Works with devices that do not have hot air exhaust vents located within the 4.500 inch center portion of the bottom edge (screen hinge edge on laptops), and that have a metal enclosure surface for coupling with the thermally conductive interface (note that customer installed surface coverings will not allow for thermal coupling and the transfer of heat from device to heatsink). Cooling performance improves with devices that have the following attributes, where more attributes result in more cooling: 1) Bottom/back metal enclosure surfaces that are flat at the location of the thermally conductive pad to allow for continuous coupling and maximum heat transfer. 2) Processor location centered and near bottom edge to align the device’s highest temperature location with the most cooling for the largest heat transfer potential into the heatsink thermal mass. 3) Cool air intake vent locations centered on the bottom edge for direct internal cooling from the passthrough hole when used with the optional Cooling Fan Fx accessory.
• Note: The 3rd and 2nd generation DHC models include curving cutouts in the front horizontal air channels for improved airflow and heatsink cooling with 2021-2023 MacBook Pros (M2/M1 Pro/Max).
• See Laptops page to learn about Apple laptop’s built-in cooling systems and SVALT model recommendations.

Dimensional Specifications

• Product Side to Side: 4.8 inches.
• Product Front to Back: 4.1 inches.
• Product Top to Bottom: 4.1 inches.
• Product Weight: 2.3 lbs 3rd gen and 2.5 lbs 2nd / 1st gen.
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 lbs 3rd gen and 3.5 lbs 2nd / 1st gen.

Content Specifications

• 1 x SVALT Cooling Dock model DHC per selected build configuration.
• 3 x optional user installed laptop retention pads (1 pad installed at a time with 2 extras for future installations).
• 1 x white microfiber cloth for cleaning thermally conductive surface (made from 100% recycled materials).
• 1 x reusable product box.
• Notes
• See Fx Cooling Fan product page for bundled Fx package contents.
• Some assembly may be required. Follow packaging labels and see Product Setup page for product setup, operation and additional user guide resources.

Aluminum Finish Color Specifications
listed from left to right

• Gray bead blasted anodize finish is similar to Apple’s Space Gray color.
• Black bead blasted anodize finish is similar to Apple’s Midnight color.
• Silver bead blasted anodize finish is similar to Apple’s Silver color.
• Notes
• See Order Configurations section for aluminum finish color details.
• Anodized parts are pre-finished by hand and then anodized by hand in small batches. The anodize color may vary slightly between parts.
• Anodized part’s bottom and/or back surfaces are considered non-cosmetic finish.
• Satin silver and glossy black anodized finishes are brighter than matte anodize.

Thermally Conductive Material Color Specifications

• The yellow-orange color hue varies depending on the underlying anodized aluminum color with silver being the brightest and black being the darkest. A thinner material assembly overlay improves heat transfer, and has a slightly lighter color compared to thicker overlay.
• The thermally conductive interface is engineered and assembled to prioritize technical performance (thermal coupling and preventing metal-to-metal scratching) over cosmetics.
• The interface is not engineered to be perfectly even in color or finish, however, surface color variations from the thermal padding may even out over time with exposure to heat from device coupling.
• The underlying aluminum surface of the coupling plate is specially finished for improved coupling and not for creating a perfectly even finish.
• The thermally conductive surface can absorb oil from fingers and hand. A white microfiber cloth is provided to clean surface.

Fan Model Color Specifications
listed from left to right

• B16/B05 80x80x25mm fan with black frame and black blades.
• R17 80x80x25mm fan with black frame and red blades.
• W20 80x80x25mm fan with black frame and white blades.
• B22 80x80x25mm fan with black frame and black blades.

Additional Cooling Fan Specifications

• See Cooling Fan Fx product page for associated specifications.

DHC CONFIGURATIONS

3rd Generation Design
The DHC is available with a new 3rd generation design that has been significantly updated with the following revisions for improved cooling performance, especially with long-duration and high-intensity workloads:

• Up to 96% deeper cooling fin air channels and thinner thermally conductive coupling plate for increased cooling surface area and improved heatsink cooling.
• 23% thinner thermally conductive material assembly for reduced impedance and improved heat transfer from the laptop to heatsink.
• Angled vertical cooling air channels for improved internal processor cooling when used with the optional Fx Cooling Fan and laptops that include a center intake vent, such as the 2021-2023 MacBook Pros (M2/M1 Pro/Max), 2012-2015 MacBook Pros (Intel Retina) and 2010-2017 MacBook Airs (Intel non-Retina)

2nd Generation Design
Both the 3rd and 2nd generations include curving cutouts in the front horizontal air channel for improved airflow and heatsink cooling.

Aluminum Color and Finish
The DHC’s aluminum heatsink is available in gray, black and silver anodize colors (as shown in the above photo). There are different strategies for color selection, such as selecting the color that matches a laptop or selecting a color for improved heat transfer. If you want to select a matching color then the gray is similar to Apple’s Space Gray, the black is similar to Apple’s Midnight, and the silver is similar to Apple’s Silver. If you want higher heatsink performance, then a darker color will offer a slight improvement, such as gray compared to silver, and black offering the best. Each selection strategy is valid and depends on the customer’s priorities.

All colors are finished by hand with a heavy DA-sanding and heavy bead-blasting to produce a more even and consistent surface with a deeply textured matte finish optimized for increased surface area, improved heat transfer to passive/active airflows, and improved radiant heat transfer.

Aluminum docks are anodized in weekly batches by model and color, so the listed “est. build lead time” can fluctuate and might differ between colors based on the anodize schedule and based on estimated order build lead time.

Optional Fx Cooling Fan Accessory
The DHC has been designed to work with the optional Fx Cooling Fan accessory that boosts heatsink cooling, as well as providing direct internal processor cooling on 2021-2023 MacBook Pros (M2/M1 Pro/Max), 2012-2015 MacBook Pros (Intel Retina) and 2010-2017 MacBook Airs (Intel non-Retina). The separate Fx Cooling Fan design moves more air with less noise, while also allowing the heatsink to be as large as possible with the most thermal mass and cooling surface area. The new 3rd generation DHCR features new angled vertical and horizontal cooling air channels that direct more airflow for improved internal laptop processors.

The Fx is sold at or below our cost to offer customers a quiet compact desk fan made from high-quality materials with full right-to-repair modularity. The Fx can be bundled with the DHC or purchased separately later. The Fx comes in multiple fan configurations.

The Fx is available with a three fan kit for customers to select the best fan for their setup. The B16 can be used for baseline always-on ultra-quiet cooling. The W20 offers more aggressive hi-airflow cooling that can be used in less noise sensitive environments or switched on/off as needed. The R17 is pre-installed for a good balance between audio and cooling performance.

The Fx is also available with a black B22 variable speed fan that covers the full range of ultra-quiet to hi-airflow cooling performance. The B22 is a high-end Noctua NF-A8 PWM chromax.black.swap fan that is controlled with Noctua’s NA-FC1 PWM dial-variable speed controller.

The two above fan configurations include front and back black anodized fan supports, front and back black metal fan screen, mounting fasteners, fan 2/3/4-pin fan adapter with on/off switch, 12 volt power supply (fixed for North America and multi-plug for other locations) and hex key for right-to-repair disassembly.

Future Configurations
The Cooling Fan Fx can be order separately in the future, and the Fx’s bolt and snap modular system allows for easy fan exchange through accessories, and will work with any standard 80x80mm fan. We also offer a variety of upgrade options to our customers.

D/H/C/x SHIPPING

Order and Shipping Information

• SVALT products are made locally and hand built to order per the estimated build lead time listed above under the dropdown selector.
• SVALT is a local company based in Portland, Oregon. Oregon does not collect sales tax.
• International customers are responsible for paying their country’s import fees and taxes upon delivery. International orders are limited to one item per shipment.
• 15-day return and 1-year limited warranty for US customers.
• Support and trade-ins available for anyone with a SVALT product.
• See policies for additional details.