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The Road Warrior Review: Aviator Laptop Stand For Frequent Flyers

Several laptop stand designs are engineered to be especially convenient for serious road warriors to take along in a laptop case or backpack, but the new standard for lightness and compact storage combined with convenient simplicity of setup and innovative features is the Aviator stand from Keynamics.

The Aviator's name is an indication of the fact that it is, according to its manufacturer Keynamics LLC, the first and only laptop stand designed specifically for use on airplane tray tables. I can't think of any challengers to that claim, but the Aviator also offers advantages for surface-traveling laptop users as well, and some features that will even appeal to those whose portables spend most of their time in desktop substitute mode.

According to the annual Airline IT Trends Survey, 59 percent of airlines plan to offer in-flight internet access by the end of 2008. American Airlines has begun offering passengers high speed in-flight internet service on some flights.

“A solution was needed for better ergonomics and comfort when passengers accessed the new WiFi enabled service”, says Greg Bright of Keynamics LLC.

The stand works by utilizing the space in front of the tray table, even when the passenger in front is reclined.

From an ergonomic perspective, the Aviator angles and extends the laptop keyboard 2.5 inches past the front edge of the seat tray, providing a comfortable wrist position. The stand also raises the screen 3 inches off the tray table, achieving the proper eye level for reduced neck bending and back strain.

The Aviator's molded high-strength plastic parts, none of them moving, assemble for duty literally in seconds, then nest together in a single, light, thin and flat unit just half an inch thick and weighing a mere 9 ounces when disassembled for travel.

The three parts consist of two identical side modules called "Risers" and a slotted of "Crosspiece" that slips into vee-notches on the Risers to create the laptop stand.

The Crosspiece has two sets of slots, allowing the width of the assembled unit to be adjusted. However, I found that the widest setting worked fine with both my 12" iBook and our big old WallStreet PowerBook, which was the heaviest machine I had on hand to test it with.

Notwithstanding the fact that it assembles and disassembles almost effortlessly, the Aviator, when assembled, becomes a remarkably stable and solid platform, and it handles the WallStreet's eight-pound weight very gracefully. However, that's small beer. These photos from the Keynamics Web page show the front wheel of a 4,800 pound Toyota Land Cruiser supported by the Aviator, so no laptop is going to tax its strength.

The strength comes from the 6 point contact area where the crosspiece wedges into the vee-notch.

Another signature feature of the Aviator stand is its ability to cantelever the laptop's palm rest 2.5 inches over the near edge of the supporting desktop, table, or aircraft tray-table, thus allowing the user to assume a more relaxed, "laid back" posture while maintaining ergonomically-sound elbow and wrist angles.

Reclining transfers much of the downward pressure off your spine, and as an added bonus, the airspace and and improved heat convection of the elevated laptop reduces heat buildup.

Rubbery "traction" strips on the bottom edge the Aviator's Risers help anchor the computer securely when used in the cantelevered position.

In use on airline tray-tables, the Aviator elevates the screen height by three inches for a less strained neck angle, especially helpful when the seat in front of the tray-table is reclined. It also raises the top edge of your laptop's screen well above the tray table notch in the seat in front of us, eliminating the danger it being crushed by a sudden recline

It's also great for the wait at airport gates.

The Aviator is made in the USA from 99% Recycled Waste, and is available in black, white, grey, pink, or blue. Keynamics will donate $2.00 from every sale of pink Aviator stands to support breast cancer initiatives.

Specifications:
Stored Dimensions 12.62" L x .50" W x 3.35" H
Riser: 12.62" L x .25" W x 3.35" H
Crosspiece: 10.5" L x .50" W x 1" H
Riser Spacing: Outer 8.75", Inner: 5.75"
Riser Top Surface Contact Area 12"

The Aviator sells for a very modest $19.99 and has a 30 day 100% satisfaction money back guarantee.

For more information, visit:
http://www.keynamics.com


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cmoore@macopinion.com

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