jewels

I'm in the market for a notebook riser, laptop stand, whatever you want to call it. I'm pretty much using my Dell laptop for everything and it seemed comfortable enough for the on/off home useage.

But now that I'll be working from home for 6 - 10 hours per day, I'm finding that I've got a new neck crick from looking down. At first I thought just something that lifts and allows it to breathe would be enough, but when I see what's out there, it might be nice to have a full sized keyboard and those extra USB outlets, which would make it easier to detach and go, as I'll be leaving town at least once a month and usually drag my laptop with me.

I thought this looked like it might do it all for me ...




but I wanted to see if any TFPers use anything similar, how useful it's been to you and if you love it or wished you had bought something different. Or is this a waste of money? Advice please.

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We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
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Baraka_Guru

For $80? I don't know....

I had this issue too: a laptop and 8+ hours/day working on it.

At work, I replaced my desktop with the laptop, so I just kept the 14" monitor and ran dual-screen.

At home, I did the same thing. I eventually replaced an aging 15" CRT monitor with a 20" LCD widescreen monitor.

Now it comes down to this: How much do you want to pay and how much will you get out of it?

I paid CDN$316 (after taxes) for 20" (1680 X 1050) of "real estate," as they call it. This, in addition to the 13.3" (1280 X 800) of my Macbook.

Now, ask yourself what you want. Personally, I like all the extra space for what I do, which includes on-screen text editing, web design, and multitasking tasks such as web research. Having the two screens is the ultimate in multitasking.

13.3" isn't much for doing a lot of work over extended periods of time. What's the size of your screen?

I set up my 20"er so that it's raised high enough to sit above the screen of my Macbook, so it actually looks like one tall screen (sort of).

I can't imagine a better configuration for my laptop in this matter.

I don't like the idea of the laptop stand, sorry. It's not enough for me.

It might work if I had limited space or needed it to be portable, but I'm impressed with the space-saving design of LCDs.

Do you really need an external keyboard? If so, you could always still add one with a USB port and still get a second monitor.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask me any questions.

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Vigilante

80 dollars is cheap when your comfort for 6+ hours a day is the question.

If you're sitting in bed or on the couch, that stand will be a godsend.

If you're at a desk, a monitor, keyboard on a slide out tray and mouse (just like a desktop) would be best. 2 screens is indeed the best for multitasking. I have a 22in main widescreen (keep icons off of it, just a working screen) and icons and other junk go on my lefthand 19in normal resolution screen. I love it, I can spread out and see everything - browser, game modding projects, chat on IM, image editing etc. It's been very useful. If your laptop can do main screen + secondary, then that is the way to go.

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ASU2003

Laz-y-boy + 37" 1080p LCD TV + wireless keyboard/mouse is the only way to go. I'll have to post a picture of my setup one of these days.

jewels

Hmmm. Definitely I've got to think this out.

I don't have the cash for a monitor, but the lap is 15", not full-sized but not much of an issue so far with what I'm doing.

I agree with your real estate assessment. My desk (it's actually a small foldable card table!) is already crowded with a phone, the laptop, files and notes, the fax/printer ... Maybe a simple riser with a footprint no larger than the laptop?

That's what I was thinking. I have to choose between physical comfort and scrambling to find what I need during the course of the day. Perhaps a visit to Office Depot or something shall be added to the agenda for the weekend, just to see the options in a real setting.

Thanks for the input; I truly appreciate your thoughts.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Frosstbyte

I can't give you any specific advice on that particular product. I looked at it when my laptop was giving me problems, but I needed something with active cooling, and that product doesn't. I'm also not at all convinced it could hold my laptop, which is very dense, despite being only 15" and thin. I think it looks like a pretty slick product with a good sized footprint for the benefits you get out of it. I currently have my laptop on a cooler sitting on top of a mac laptop box, and the difference with the height is enormous and wonderful.

Which is all to say, an external keyboard and mouse are not very expensive if you can find a few boxes to sit your computer on, but if $80 isn't a big deal for you, I think that will suit your needs quite well. Before you buy, check out the reviews for it and its wireless brother at newegg. Here Newegg.com - Logitech Alto Cordless - Laptop Accessories and here Newegg.com - Logitech Alto for notebook and MacBook Model Alto Portable Laptop Stand - Laptop Accessories. Good luck!

jewels

Actually, $80 is a big deal, but I'm lucky enough to have someone who's helping me out with some office supplies I'm going to need within the next week or two.

When you say cooler, are you talking as in Igloo? Or is this another alternative to the one I posted in the OP? Sorry, but this is new to me. I always threw my laptop on a table or a book on my bed before this.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Frosstbyte

I'm sorry, I mean laptop cooler, as in a stand that has an active cooling component (in my case fans) to help leech heat away from the machine and make it run better.

I use this one: Antec - Notebook Cooler

Unfortunately, it doesn't do all that much, because my laptop's poor design is well beyond repair. There are definitely less expensive versions and, as I said, if active cooling isn't an issue, some large old books or cardboard boxes or just about anything else can serve the same purpose of getting the screen higher and easier to read.

jewels

Thanks, Frosstbyte. I don't know how much danger there is, but I definitely would feel more comfortable with more space or cooling below my laptop when using it for prolonged periods. I don't want to be looking for a new one for as long as possible.

I like yours, but wish it would elevate my screen. I guess I'm in a catch-22 as my desk/table is too high anyway. I'll probably end up with carpal tunnel syndrome from that.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

genuinegirly

Speaking as someone who perpetually nurses a repetitive stress injury similar but more intense than carpal tunnel... you might want to look into a different style desk and chair that will reduce chance of injury.

I have a very not-impressive, cheap setup. I spend no more than 6 hours at this desk at any given time, so maybe I'm not the best to offer advice. Still, I'll throw it out there to show you a working, injury-free setup can be cheap.



My textbook is wedged under my laptop to keep air moving, and to hold my place. I have a low pull-out shelf for my keyboard and mouse, situated in such a way that there is no strain on my wrists. I use a notebook as a mouse pad because it is raised more than a typical mouse pad, which works better for my wrists. My screen is a solid two and a half feet away from my face to encourage me to look around my room periodically to prevent eyestrain.

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jewels

Thanks, GG. I definitely don't have the cash for a desk right now, but do the textbooks really stay in place. Up until I used this card table as a desk, I was using the floor with a large book as a desk for the laptop. It was always moving, but maybe that was because it was on carpet?

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Vigilante

I like to sit up in my bed with my knees up and rest my laptop there. Couldn't do that for any extended amount of time though!

I bet you can make a stand out of something at ikea. Hang on lemme do a search....
-----Added 15/11/2008 at 03 : 15 : 48-----
Here's one:

ikea hacker: Hackeas: Quick and cheap to the rescue

Oh SCORE here ya go:
ikea hacker: need a laptop desk? diy your own stand

The top one (bottom link) is my fav for sure. You can cut it at any angle you want, and even drill and slap on a bar at the bottom to retain the laptop.

__________________
We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill

jewels

Thanks for the ideas, lucif. The one you like is cool, but won't work for my needs. Up to 10 hours a day, I'll be sitting this ass at my table/desk.

I do sorta like this paper towel holder from the same link that you like. I might see if I can find something similar. If I can do that, I'll just have to work out an inexpensive keyboard. I think it probably would still be much cheaper than the item in my OP.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Vigilante

Gotcha. To each their own, of course

At the desk for that long...if you have a chiropractor (I do, congenital bad back) see if they have a descriptive chart showing the proper resting angles for a person at a desk. I had one but lord knows where it is now. I do know that your arms should generally be 90 degrees at the elbow, the mouse and keyboard should be at armrest level, and you should be able to sit back and still read the screen. Never hunch over or lean one way or another for extended periods. You'll end up cramping something every time. One of the worst sins is typing or mousing with your arms up on the desk. Very bad move. I know now from experience.

__________________
We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill

genuinegirly

Hmm interesting thought. I've never run into problems with things shifting. Perhaps your problems were from the carpet.

I'm lucky - my bro-in-law wasn't using his old desk, so I snatched it up.

Here's a link to some fairly descriptive computer workspace ergonomics tips, including a section on laptop computers: Linky
And here's a decent photo description:

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

Vigilante

There ya go, but I find that a chair without armrests is annoying. That's just me though.

__________________
We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill