There are a lot of laptop stands on the market these days,
testimony to the fact that more and more people are opting to use
portable computers as dual-purpose machines - both for traditional
notebook tasks and as desktop substitutes at home and/or at work.
Most laptop stands are designed to get the computer screen
elevated to a more comfortable viewing angle when working at a desk
or table with an external keyboard and mouse for input. Getting the
computer off the support surface also allow it to cool more
efficiently.
However, another category of stand is designed for use in more
relaxed postures, such as lying on a bed, sofa, the floor, or
whatever. The Laptop
Laidback, which is made not far from where I live in eastern
Nova Scotia, is great for this purpose and does what it was designed
to do perfectly. It's also a fine piece of furniture, made of good,
honest, Nova Scotia maple attractively varnished, with a smooth,
white, Melamine surface on the laptop support tray. The plastic
adjustment knobs are robust, user friendly, strong, and
attractive.
In addition to satisfying comfort-seeking computer users, Laptop
Laidback can enable individuals with certain long term disabilities
as well as those recuperating from surgery or undergoing
rehabilitation. Indeed, I haven't encountered a better device for
computing in bed. I don't know what I would do without mine.
One major advantage of the Laptop Laidback for portable computer
use away from a desk or table is that it keeps the hot computer
away
from you or the blankets, which allows it to run cooler. This will be
a lot more comfortable for the user. This is particularly important
for newer laptops with their hotter processors. A fairly consistent
complaint - about the G4 PowerBooks especially - is that they run
very hot.
The Laptop Laidback's white tray surface and bright finished
natural maple legs will coordinate nicely with the iceBook's white
livery.
The Laptop Laidback has five main components; two two-piece
articulated, varnished maple legs joined respectively by knurled
bushings that allow "knee-style" angle adjustments in five degree
increments. The adjustment angle is secured by sturdy and generously
sized thumbscrews for each joint.
As noted above, the tray section is a laminate surfaced with
smooth Melamine. There are two angled slots at the back containing
captive sliding anchors for the thumb screws that fasten the legs to
the tray. This allows the user infinite adjustment of the Laptop
Laidback tray height within the range of the slots.
Once assembled an adjusted to the user's preference, Laptop
Laidback is a solid and stable platform. It easily accommodates my
PowerBook 1400, which is a relatively heavy portable computer by
today's standards. Included with the Laptop Laidback kit are
self-adhesive Velcro strips that can be affixed to the bottom of the
computer to secure it to corresponding Velcro strips on the tray's
facing surface, however, I have found these unnecessary.
When disassembled, the Laptop Laidback's legs store neatly and
securely, fastened with Velcro patches to the Velcro strips on the
unit's tray module. This creates a compact, unified bundle that will
easily stored in many standard-sized computer cases or carry bags.
Breakdown and reassembly takes just a couple of minutes.
Laptop
Laidback features include:
- Fits all laptop computers.
- Allows the laptop to run cooler
- Ideal for computing in bed, sofa, and recliners.
- Highly adjustable.
- Very stable.
The Laptop Laidback can also be used as a book rest for reading in
bed or on a sofa, or as a portable writing desk. It could accommodate
a keyboard for a desktop computer or PDA as well for persons confined
to bed, with the computer monitor positioned nearby. A wireless
keyboard with an integral pointing device would be ideal for this
sort of use.
My only complaint about the Laptop Laidback is that with the heavy
old PowerBook 1400 aboard, it is
just a wee bit tippy on a bed. I found this out the hard way a couple
of weeks ago when I sat down on the bed, where the computer was
parked on the Laptop Laidback, to change my shoes. As I stood up, I
heard a sickening crash behind me. The mattress decompression (and
it's an extra-firm bed, too) had caused the Laidback to upset,
dumping the poor old 1400 on the hardwood floor.
Happily, I was unable to find any damage on the computer - not
even a new scratch. Those old 1400s are tough critters. However, I
shall be more careful in the future.
Laptop Laidback specs and dimensions:
- 16 inches (41 cm) wide
- 10 inches (25 cm) high
- 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) thick
- weight: 4.75 lbs (2.2 kg)
- maximum clearance: 11" (28 cm)
- left to right leg separation: 22" (56 cm)
- legs lock every 5 degrees
- legs: maple
- table: 1/2" (1.27 cm) melamine
Laptop Laidback sells for US$89.
