Okay Geek Farm
Friday
May072010
t3ch Review - LapDawg x4 Laptop Desk
Ricardo Trejo
It’s no secret that the key to doing great work on a computer is being comfortable. And it’s even more important when it comes to using a laptop; What’s the proper way to set it down on your lap, should you use a desk, and what about ergonomics and the way it affects your arms and back when using it? When you think about it, there are a ton of factors that come into play when you’re thinking about spending time with your laptop. So when I got a chance to mess around with the LapDawg X4 Laptop Stand - a product I’ve been curious about for a while - I wanted to challenge it to see if it could keep me comfortable no matter what position I put it in.
Product: LapDawg x4 Laptop Desk
What it says it does: The table that features nearly limitless adjust-ability to hold things exactly the way you want it
My Experience: Before I came in contact with the Lapdawg I had boughten one of those foldable tables; y’know, the kind that you use to eat TV dinners on? And although it did a decent job at holding my laptop, I was pretty restricted in where and how I could use it, not to mention that my arms were hurting from the position of the thing. Heck, I even gave thought to cutting it up and modifying it so I could have it be in a better position! But alas, I got my hands on a Lapdawg X4 Laptop desk and not a moment too soon, especially for my folding table since I was just about ready to saw it apart.
Now what is the Lapdawg, you ask? Their website says it’s the “Swiss Army Knife of portable tables”, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s a laptop stand that can turn into just about any possible position you’d need it to be so you can get work done no matter where you’re at — learn more
The box it came in was surprisingly small, which is a testament to just how portable this thing is. It’s pre-assembled, so it’s ready for use right from the get go; When I pulled it out I decided to mess with it first without looking at the instructions beforehand. Yeah, that was a mistake. Heck, I didn’t know what I was doing, or even what the buttons on the side meant. That said, if you don’t have any images to reference to or even instructions, it can be quite a task in figuring out which positions are even capable with the Lapdawg. But once I looked over at the instructions, as well as the alternative configurations mentioned on the website, I was head over heels for the stand.
I don’t bubble much over a lot of things we review on t3chh3lp, but this tray, stand, table-thing, or whatever you want to call it was just so practical that I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. When fixed to be a laptop stand it’s the proper height for most people to get productive while sitting on a couch. And when lying in bed and watching a movie, well it just doesn’t get any better than that, especially when you don’t have to hold the thing and try to figure out how to position your legs. The way everything just flows with the position that your body is in when you have set up the right way for whatever situation you’re in, well that just good ergonomics. And for me that was when there was no looking back.
The only real main issue I had with the LapDawg was its wobbliness, for lack of a better word, when handling heavier laptops. I own a Dell Mini 9 netbook and a Gateway NV52 15” notebook - the differences in size and weight between the two is like comparing a Nerf ball to a medicine ball. So obviously, when I was using the netbook I had no fear, but when it was time for quality time with the full on notebook (where I do most of my work on) I was more than a bit hesitant to give it over unto the hands of the LapDawg. The website says that the stand can handle up to 25lbs. of weight, but my laptop is only 6 lbs. and I already felt that the stand was being pushed to the limit. No joke, either. The legs sway side to side which made me feel a bit uneasy but after continuous use for a week I’ve grown to just go with it, and nothing’s happened so far.
Overall, the LapDawg is the perfect stand or tray for any laptop need. Whether you want to work on your couch or watch a movie on your bed, this particular stand can do it all. Not to mention that when you walk away and come back to it, it just looks great. It doesn’t take up much space, it’s lightweight, and highly portable. It takes some getting used to but the Lapdawg is quite the device, but if you’re in the market for a laptop stand then there’s really no comparison.
Pros: the perfect laptop stand, configurable into more than 4 possible positions, looks great, highly portable
Cons: Not as sturdy as you might like, takes time to learn how to use it
Price: $89
Where you can buy it: LapDawg
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