Is There Such A Thing As Too Many Computers?: Target PA248U5 AWE61US Laptop Chill Mat Fan Replacement

I have a Targus PA248U5 AWE61US Laptop Chill Mat and the fans started to rattle. The Targus Laptop Chill Mat is a simple single speed (no fan speed control) cooling pad. I opened up the chill mat to find that while the fans are standard, they are hardwired in the device. To replace the fans, you have to cut out the old fans and add connectors to make the new fans replaceable in the future.

Parts required to replace the fans in the Targus PA248U5 Laptop Chill Mat:

EVERCOOL 80mm x 80mm x 10mm DC 5V Case Fan (see here on eBay)
3 pin fan Y power splitter (see here on Amazon)
Optional: 3 pin fan power extension cable (see here on Amazon) - Optional because, the Evercool 80x80x10mm fan comes with a 3 to 2 pin converter. You can use this instead of buy another $5 cable.

Ok, time to get down to disassembling the chill mat. Pull all the rubber feet of the bottom of the chill mat. Hidden there are 4 screws. Remove the screws and gently pry the chill mat apart. I keep on hand 2 different pry tools:

iSesamo ultra-thin steel pry tool (see here on Amazon)
Spudger (see here on Amazon)

In the case of the Targus Laptop Chill Mat, I would recommend the spudger because the steel pry tool is a bit too hard on the plastic and digs into it.

Once you get the chill mat apart, this is what you'll see. 2 80x80x10mm fans hardwired to the mini USB port.

NOTE: Work on one cable at a time so you don't forget which cable is which.

Starting from the far right wire which matches the black wire on the new fan, follow the wire up to the joint covered by a piece of rubber protecting the joint. Cut and peel back the rubber covering the joint. Cut the 2 wires connecting below the joint. Prepare the extension fan cable by cutting the female off (see below). Attach the black wire to the recently cut section. You do NOT need to solder the wires together. Simply twisting them together will suffice. Repeat for the red wire. Cover the exposed wire with electrical tape or other insulating cover.