The San Jose-based FRORE SYSTEMS claims the new cooling technology can deliver a 50% to 100% increase in performance for laptops without generating much sound. Could this be the future of laptop cooling?  On Thursday, Frore Systems introduced a new cooling system for electronic products that not only runs quieter than traditional fans, but also promises to help laptops achieve even better performance.  The cooling system is called the "AirJet" chip, and it comes in colaboration with Intel.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              The AirJet chip is designed to address how today's laptops can throttle down the CPU's processing speeds to prevent overheating. A notebook today can only run at higher clock speeds for so long before the thermals force the system to dial down the performance. "Heat has become the biggest bottleneck in computing. The latest processors promise higher performance, but only 50% or less is realized in actual devices," Frore Systems said in a document explaining its own technology. "While processors continue to advance and generate more heat, thermal solutions have not kept pace."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          In responce, Frore Systems developed the AirJet chip, a so-called "solid state thermal solution"- that ditches traditional fans entirely. "Inside AirJet are tiny membranes that vibrate at ultrasonic frequency," the company said.  "These membranes generate a powerful flow of air that enters the AirJet through inlet vents in the top."  The approach can produce a powerful jet force capable of removing heat and pushing it out from separate vents in the back of the laptop.  Another vent acts as suction, pulling in cool ambient air to send to the AirJet chip. Depending on the laptop product, the cooling system promises to generate only about 24 to 29 decibels in sound, which is softer than a whisper.  On top of all this, the AirJet chips are only about 2.8 milimeters thick.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The technology is certainly tantalizing, and could pave the way for even thinner, quieter, but more powerful laptops. But the big question is whether the AirJet can perform as promised. For now, Frore Systems has only said the cooling system is set to debut in actual products sometime next year. However, the company plans on unveiling the technology during the upcoming CES show in Las Vegas. Frore Systems also told PCMag the AirJet is currently best suited for mobile computing, including laptops, gaming smartphones and tablets. Nevertheless, the company does have plans to expand in other markets in the future. So a desktop based AirJet chip could be possible one day.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   - by MICHAEL KAN   - PC magazine