Not too long ago, I wrote and published an article about how heat from your laptop could lead to infertility. See, a laptop is really anything BUT a laptop. Put another way, you really shouldn’t use a laptop computer as it sits directly on your lap. Aside from the issue of potential effects on your manhood, it is also bad for your computer. Laptops generate heat and that heat needs to escape. If the computer is sitting on anything that covers the vents on the rear or underneath, the heat builds up inside the computer and can drastically affect the life of your hardware.

In that same article, I also talked about the Futura laptop desk, from Lapworks. I really like this laptop desk and I use it all the time. In fact, I am using it right now as I write this article on my laptop. Lapworks was kind enough to follow up by sending me a sample of their aluminum desktop stand. Let’s take a look at this thing.

The Cold Facts

Ok, there aren’t much in the way of specs to speak of when talking about a desktop stand, but let’s lay it out, direct from Lapworks:

• Cools laptops up to 23%
• Elevates the screen up to 6-3/4″
• 6 adjustable angles
• 360 degree rotation
• Ergonomic design
• Durable aluminum construction
• Folds flat for easy storage
• Includes neoprene travel bag that also serves as a mousepad
• Fits any laptop

Using The Stand

At first, it takes a bit of thinking to actually use the stand. It looks like a bunch of aluminum with multiple hinges and it takes a little experimentation to figure out how to use it. It does come with a one-page how-to manual for the geometrically handicapped. Once you figure it out, it works great. It does indeed give a lot of height to your laptop. At varying degrees, the keyboard sits at a slant and the screen is much higher. It’s great for using the laptop at a desk. It will bring the height of the monitor up so that you can look at it straight on rather than looking downward. The swivel stand is handy. It is not too loose, too, so that the monitor moves around when not intended. It has enough drag that it only moves when you intend to do so.

If you use a laptop often or as your main PC, I would highly recommend using something like the aluminum desktop stand from Lapworks. You might not notice on short term use, but long term use of a laptop while looking down at the screen places strain on your neck. The ergonomic setup is to look straight and level at your monitor. It is hard to do that with a laptop without something to raise it off the desk. And that’s what this stand will do for you. The fact that it is aluminum helps mainly with durability, heat transfer, and of course a potential “cool” factor. Aluminum does look cool, doesn’t it?

The big thing to keep in mind is that this is NOT a laptop desk. It would not replace something like the Futura. This is strictly for ergonomic use of a laptop when sitting at a desk or table. This is the thing if you routinely use your laptop in the office.

A Few Minor Issues

Its hard to find much to complain about with this thing. It really is. After all, it doesn’t really DO much. However, there are two issues for me:

• Just my own opinion, but the higher, more steep levels of adjustment for this thing are a little TOO steep. I don’t see how anybody could use them unless they were using an external keyboard.
• A larger issue for me is the price. The price is currently $69.95, which I think is a little too high for this. While it is useful, it is still just a piece of metal with hinges in a neoprene bag. I don’t really see how it can cost almost $70.

Conclusion

The aluminum desktop stand from Lapworks is a great accessory for the full-time laptop user. If you use a laptop as a desktop replacement, do your neck and favor and pick up one of these things. The price is a little steep, but the neck problems after years of looking down at your laptop screen can cost more by far. Just ask a chiropractor.

For me, I actually prefer the cheaper Futura laptop desk. It does provide some incline to the laptop when on the desk (not as much as the aluminum desk, though), but it also lays flat for use on your lap. For me, the Futura is a more flexible option and it costs much less.

Like what you read?

If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below: