‘Book Mystique Review - LapWorks Aluminum Desktop Stand For Notebook Computers
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
by Charles W. Moore
Several years back, Contour Design released an innovative and unique folding laptop stand called the NoteRiser. This German product was ingeniously engineered and built to a very high standard of finish, but unfortunately had a price to match - $129.95 - which kept it from selling well, even when it was reduced to $99.95 a couple of years ago. Contour has recently dropped the NoteRiser from its product lineup.
However, the general concept of the NoteRiser - an aluminum laptop stand that folds flat for travel - lives on in the new LapWorks Aluminum Desktop Stand for Notebook Computers, which, like the erstwhile NoteRiser is constructed of flat anodized brushed aluminum plate and folds flat in seconds, in its case forming a 3/8” thick, one pound five ounce package that comes with its own neoprene travel bag that you easily stuff in most laptop bags or sleeves (even ones that nominally have room for just the notebook, and it sets up just as quickly. And happily, the LapWorks Stand sells for 30 percent less than the NoteRiser did at the last going-off.
While I expect that LapWorks designer Mr. Jose Calero was somewhat inspired by the former NoteRiser Product, this new stand is anything but a knockoff, and in several respects outshines the Contour unit.
The LapWorks stand’s lower price doesn’t mean Mr. Calero cut any corners. For one thing, while the NoteRiser used a bonded plastic laminate material for its component hinges, which seemed a somewhat downmarket touch, 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 was not available on the NoteRiser is a swivel pad on its bottom panel that allows the computer to rotate 360 degrees while mounted on the stand.
The LapWorks Stand is of thicker-gauge of aluminum than the NoteRiser was, 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 used in its construction, the piano hinges, and the 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 handy mouse pad.
The name, “Aluminum *Desktop* Stand” may be cause for a bit of confusion, but in the LapWorks context it’s intended to distinguish this stand, which is designed to be used when your notebook is in desktop substitute mode, from LapWorks’ traditional line of lap desk products, which are intended primarily to be used on your lap (although two of the three current lap desk models do feature a desktop mode).
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” (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 computer cooling, and aluminum is an excellent and 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 thinner 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 stop loops 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. Lapworks cites a weight capacity of 8 pounds, which none of my machines exceed. And of course, the anodized aluminum finish harmonizes especially well with aluminum MacBook Pros and PowerBook.
The 8.5” diameter 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, other than the above-noted inconvenience in accessing front-mounted optical drives, which is a non-issue if you have a ‘Book with a side-mounted drive like my Pismo and iBook. The Lapworks stand 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 (roughly 8 pound limit for smooth swiveling)
The LapWorks Aluminum Desktop Stand comes with a one-year warranty, and sells for $69.95, but is currently on sale at a special introductory price of $59.95.
Note that the Lapworks Aluminum Desktop Stand is actually the flagship of a whole new line of Lapworks “Ergo Riser” laptop stand products, which also include the $29.95 Ergo Fan Riser fan-cooled stand, the $24.95 Ergo Swivel Riser, the $24.95 Ergo Laptop Riser, and the $14.95 Ergo Swiv-All (see the Appendix below for details).
For more information, visit:
http://www.lapworks.net
Appendix
LapWorks Ergo Riser Series
Aluminum Desktop Stand
• Price: $59.95
• Cools Laptop
up to 23%
• 6.75”” Elevation
• Swivels 360¼
• 6 Typing Angles
• Folds to 3/8” thin
• Lightweight
• Heavy Duty
________________________________________
Ergo Fan Riser
• Price: $29.95
• Cools Laptop
with Fans
• 3” Elevation
• 10 Typing Angles
• Optional USB Hub
• Heavy Duty
________________________________________
Ergo Swivel Riser
• Price: $24.95
• Cools Laptop
with Ventilation
• 2.5” Elevation
• Swivels 360¼
• 8 Typing Angles
• Lightweight
• Heavy Duty
________________________________________
Ergo Laptop Riser
• Price: $24.95
• Cools Laptop
with Ventilation
• 5” Elevation
• 3 Typing Angles
• Lightweight
• For notebooks with
screens up to 15”
________________________________________
Ergo Swiv-All
• Price: $14.95
• Swivels 360¼
• Super Heavy Duty
Supports over 100 lbs.
• Lightweight
• Two Sizes
10” diameter
12.8” diameter
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