Review Item:

Laptop Desk Ensemble

Date:
2003

Manufacturer:
LapWorks

Supplier:
LapWorks

Cost:
$49.95

Reviewer:
Chad

Once again I come to you my loyal readers with yet another review. This one is dedicated to the laptop users out there. Some time ago I wrote a review about a laptop stand well this unit is something like it but this one ups the ante. This is a more compact and portable, laptop desk. This unit is way beyond just a laptop stand, this is a laptop desk. The unit that I am talking about is the Lapworks Laptop Desk v2.0 Ensemble. Now as the name suggest, it is for laptops, but for the desktop users out there continue reading, for this is one great and very versatile item. I must admit that I am quite enthusiastic about this product, and I hope that by the end of this review you would feel the same way.

After talking to the great people over at Lapwork, they agreed to send us one of their units for evaluation. When the unit arrived I was impressed with the way it was packaged, completely wrapped in bubble wrap, although in my opinion this thing really didn’t need it, for how strong it seems.

Anyway upon removing the contents of the box, the Laptop Desk v2.0 Ensembles includes the following:
1 - Laptop Desk v2.0
1 – Laptop Desk MouzPad
1 – Laptop Desk SwivlPad

Ok, now you may ask yourself what is the Laptop Desk? Well for laptop users who are familiar with the term “hot leg”, I come to you with the ideal solution. The laptop desk is basically a plastic folder, a very strong one. It opens out to a form a desk that is 20 3/8” long, 11-1/16” wide and 1/4” thick. When folded it compacts itself to an easy to carry and store size of 10-5/8” long, 11-1/16” wide and 5/8” thick.

The base of the desk is constructed of a polycarbonate, that Lapworks says “is tough, dimensionally stable, UV inhibited thermoplastic that has the highest impact of any thermoplastic”. So in other words it’s extremely strong. The manufacturer says its high impact strength makes it resistant to repeated blows, shattering, and spalling, and thus it is virtually unbreakable. Now that’s what the manufacturer says, and I would fully agree with them. The material feels extremely strong, so I tried my own little test. The material flexes, but it does not break. If it does not flex then it will eventually break. The weakest point of this unit is in my opinion the hinge area, though this should not be an issue at all, since it is not meant for listing weights with.

Now the desk incorporates four large grooves running along its length, they are called ventilation channels. These channels allow the heat generated by the laptop to dissipate from beneath it through convection. The surface of the desk is coated with thirty-five (35) square inches of non-skid contact pads that provide the “super-gripping feature” that anchors the note book to the desk. As well as an additional thirty-five (35) square inches on the bottom that anchors the laptop desk to the desktop. The ventilation channels, along with the non-skid contact pads have been proven to reduce the buildup of heat by your laptop by 15% to 20% guaranteed. I have a feeling that it reduces the heat even more for when I use my laptop on a normal basis, I am unable to even touch the underside of the laptop with my bare hand until it has been shut down and allowed to cool off, but now since using the laptop desk, it is significantly cooler.

The laptop desk has two different modes of operation. It can be opened out flat to form a 20” desk that can be used when you are not at a work desk but would like to use your laptop, without the fear of “hot leg”. It sits very easily and comfortably over your lap, and has enough space on it for you to place small items etc. The non-skid contact pads allow items to be placed on the laptop desk without the worry of them sliding off.

The other mode that the desk operates in is referred to as the desktop mode. This mode allows the laptop desk to be angled in five ergonomically comfortable typing positions. This is achieved with the use of a support arm that locks into any one of five different rows of “Position Stops”.

Using the laptop desk in this manner allows the keyboard to be placed on an incline, which is said to be proven to reduce shoulder and back strain. Also at its highest angle, the laptop desk raises the screen level by 3-1/4”. Now although this mode is typically for use on a desk, I find that it was not that uncomfortable to use it on my lap, if it was maybe 3” wider it would sit a bit better on my lap, but I felt quite comfortable using it that way.

Now the Laptop Desk ensemble includes two other accessories that make this package ideal. The first one is the “MouzPad”. Odd spelling yes, useless definitely NOT! What is it?

MouzPad Unattached

Well it is a mouse pad. The MouzPad attaches to the Laptop Desk very easily, and only requires about 15 seconds to install. The nice thing about this accessory is that it not only works with v2.0 of the Laptop Desk, but it also works with v1.0. Also it works for both left and right handed users, as it snaps into place on either side of the Laptop Desk. It adds an area of 9” x 6” of mousing space. It also has six (6) holes but out on its outer edge that allows pens to be placed in it for easy access while using. Another thing is that the MouzPad works with both roller ball and optical mice. For optical mouse use, it requires a light colored material to be placed on it to allow the mouse to track easily. A handy template is included for cutting out the material to be placed on it.

MouzPad Attached

Now there is a warning placed on the MouzPad, that says: “This MouzPad is a temporary attachment. It will not support the weight of your laptop computer. DO NOT attempt to lift the Laptop Desk with your computer mounted on it. The MouzPad will release without warning and could damage your computer.” Take Heed!

The is one other accessory that is my favorite with this entire package, that’s the SwivlPad.

SwivlPad

The SwivlPad operates like a turntable that is placed beneath the Laptop Desk and allows the laptop to turn a full 360 degrees. Screen sharing is now made much easier with this item. Now SwivlPad is made of non-slip rubber, high impact polystyrene, 3M adheasive, Teflon and a metal grommet. It is comprised of two 8-3/4” sheets secured together, and is only about 3/16” thick.

This image shows the MouzPad side by side with an ordinary pen. Just to show how thin it is.

When you look at it first you may wonder can it really do what it says it does. Well I can attest to the fact that it will. When I first opened it up I wondered how it does it, but as I began using it, I could not stop playing with it. Instead of having to lift the laptop to slightly shift it, it’s now a matter of a simple push. What is nice about the SwivlPad is that it can be used with just about ANYTHING, it is not confined to laptop use. Telephones, speakers, lamps, just about anything!

Conclusion
In conclusion I have to say that this is an awesome package. Even without the MouzPad, and SwivlPad, this package is excellent. The Laptop Desk is extremely strong, and versatile. The ventilation channels allow your laptop to operate at cooler temperatures, which in turn eliminates the hot leg. The non-skid contact pads grips onto the laptop, and the users clothing, which reduces the risk of slipping, especially when using on your lap.

The MouzPad and SwivlPad, add to this package which makes it even more appealing. For anyone with a laptop this ensemble is a must, life and laptop operation will be much easier. This is a product that I would recommend to ANYONE, laptop or not, it’s that good. With all that said and done, I issue to LapWorks, a Wild 10 rating.

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