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The Road Warrior Review - LapWorks Aluminum Desktop Stand For Notebook Computers

There are an amazingly eclectic variety of stand solutions available for notebook computers, but relatively few of them are really handy to stuffing in your computer bag and taking along on road trips. However, the new LapWorks aluminum Desktop Stand for Notebook Computers folds flat in seconds to 3/8" thick, one pound five ounce package that you can pack along easily, and it sets up just as quickly.

Fashioned out of flat anodized brushed aluminum plate, the LapWorks Stand reminds me a lot of one similar product, the German-designed and manufactured Contour NoteRiser stand, which pioneered this general flat folding stand concept. But while I would be surprised if LapWorks designer Mr. Jose Calero wasn't aware of the NoteRiser Product, this news stand is anything but a knockoff, and in several respects outshines the Contour unit, which is itself an excellent product. Another distinction is the that the LapWorks Stand costs 30 percent less than the NoteRiser.

However, that doesn't mean Mr. Calero cut any corners. For one thing, while the NoteRiser uses a bonded plastic laminate material for its component hinges, the LapWorks Stand has three real, metal piano hinges, which both look better and should also be extremely durable. Another feature of the LapWorks Stand that is not available on me NoteRiser is a swivel pad on its bottom panel that allows the computer to rotate 360 degrees while mounted on the stand. Thirdly, the LapWorks Stand is of thicker-gauge of aluminum than me NoteRiser, and while being a few millimeters wider, (Dimensions when folded are 12" x 9.5" x 3/8") measures about two inches less on the depth dimension when folded. The LapWorks Stand weighs slightly more and is a bit thicker in section when folded due to the heavier aluminum, the piano hinges, and swivel base, but it's still less than half an inch thick, looks thinner than that, and tucks nicely into its Neoprene ("wet-suit material") slip case for storage and carriage.

The slip case can also double as a mouse pad.

Notebook stands are desirable notebook accessories for two main reasons. The first is to bring the computer screen up to eye-level to help prevent eye and neck strain, either by elevating the entire notebook in normal flat orientation, or by inclining the back of unit up with the screen lid opened at a wide angle. Either method gets the display up to a more ergonomically-sound sound, preferably for use with an external keyboard and pointing device.

The LapWorks Aluminum Desktop Stand uses the inclined mode, and with its simple but effective system of folding support panels and corresponding slots in the stand base, supports six different elevations of 3 1/2, 4, 4 3/8, 6, 6 1/2, and 6 3/4 inches (to a maximum 45 degree incline) than the support surface. The lower three elevations can be used for typing on the notebook's own keyboard as well.

The second advantage of using a notebook stand is enhanced cooling of the computer, and aluminum is a particularly efficient conductor of heat. LapWorks claims that notebooks can run up to 23 percent cooler when mounted on this stand. In a study conducted for LapWorks by the California Polytechnic University at Pomona, one laptop computer ran 27 degrees cooler (88 degrees instead of 115 degrees) when mounted on the LapWorks Stand than when operating flat on a desk.

"Most heat sinks which are attached to microprocessors to help keep them from overheating are made of aluminum because of its ability to absorb and dissipate heat into the air," Jose Calero notes. "The thiinner the aluminum, the better the process works."

The results of an interesting thermal study of the Aluminum Desktop Stand
are posted on the LapWorks website:
http://laptopdesk.net/alum-thermalstudy/index.html

When mounted on the LapWorks Stand, the computer rests on a couple of aluminum support tabs with rubber retainer stops that protrude through two slots in the main support plate. Setup is virtually instantaneous, and it takes longer to a type this sentence than to transform the LapWorks Stand from folded flat to ready for the computer. Folding is just as quick and handy. Four self-adhesive, clear soft plastic pads ship with the stand so that the user can choose where to place them to accommodate their particular laptop. These pads/bumpers grip the notebook and prevent slipping and sliding.

One downside - in this instance literally - of this sort of computer stand is that with machines that have front-mounted optical drives, such as my 17-inch PowerBook, you have to remove the computer from the stand in order to insert or eject a disk.

I found that all three of my current notebooks - an iBook, a Pismo PowerBook, and the 17-inch PowerBook all fit comfortably on the LapWorks Stand. The swivel base, which has four soft rubber traction pads that contact the support surface, rotates smoothly with the computer in place.

I really couldn't find anything to complain about with this stand. It is attractive, well-made, cleverly designed, ruggedly-constructed, performs its intended functions well, is simple and non-aggravating to use, lightweight and compact to carry, and relatively inexpensive. The LapWorks Stand is solid and substantial enough for general desktop workstation duty, with the added utility off being easy and quick to take along for road warrioring. Pretty hard to go wrong with this one.

Summary of Features:
• Elevates the screen up to 6-3/4 "
• 6 adjustable angles/elevations
• Low angle mode for typing
• 360 degree rotation
• Ergonomic design
• Durable aluminum construction
• Rapid heat dissipation
• Folds flat for easy storage
• Cable management
• Includes neoprene travel bag
• Travel bag serves as a mouse pad
• Fits any laptop

The LapWorks Aluminum Desktop Stand comes with a one-year warranty, and sells for $69.95, but is on sale at a special introductory price of $59.95 until May 31st, 2007

For more information, visit:
http://www.lapworks.net


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cmoore@macopinion.com


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