Raise that laptop off your desk

Notebook computers generate a lot of heat and if you've ever worked with one on your lap for any length of time at all you know how hot they can get.  Most people work with them on a desk or flat surface because of that and touch typists can tell you this is rarely a very ergonomic way to type on a notebook.  The folks at Laptopdesk have recently announced a simple but effective way to raise your notebook up slightly and produce a more comfortable environment for working with the laptop.  The Laptop Legs are simple attachments that can be applied to the bottom of any notebook computer that allows you to raise the back of the notebook up an inch or more.  There are laptop stands you can get that do the same thing but the beauty of the Laptop Legs solution is that you can close the legs when you don't need to use them.  This makes for easy transport and also means you always have them with you when you need them.

I have used their Laptop Desk for a long time and swear by it so I am pretty sure the Laptop Legs will show the same quality and workmanship the company is known for.   There are two versions of the legs available, one for Mac laptops and one for the rest.  The difference seems to be the color, black or gray.   Both versions are $19.95 and available from the Laptopdesk web site.

Comments

[Leogenghis]

I had a Gateway laptop eight years ago (with a 13.3" XGA screen) that had the exact same feature. It was incredibly useful and well-designed - whenever I put it on a table, I'd lift up the back of the notebook, slide my index fingers under it and clicked two buttons which popped out little plastic "legs". The angle made it much more pleasant to type on, and of course a good side effect is better ventilation.

I've never found a notebook since which had this feature built-in, not even Gateway's newer models.

[Leogenghis]

OK, so I just bought these legs and tried them out. While the idea is great, the execution is poor. These legs, even while retracted, measure 1/3" high! Which means that if you have a slim notebook, like I do (1.2" thick), applying these legs will make it seem a lot thicker. Unappealing. The footprint is large too (2" by 1.75"). My laptop's underside is covered with air vents, stickers and screws, so finding an appropriate spot large enough to apply a leg was almost impossible, let alone two. The plastic used for its construction is third-rate. Overall, pass on this product.