Best Stand to use in bed?

I want to be able to use my laptop in my bed. I want to use it while sitting or laying on my stomach. What would be the best stand for this purpose? A cheap home made option would be fine as well. I want to make sure that the laptop is on a hard surface so the hot air can properly get out through the vents and there is no heat damage to the internal parts. Thanks.

 

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=381157

What about this one?

 

i wouldn't use the above mentioned product. i've seen it in person and it won't allow proper ventilation. if it were made of something more solid then maybe. they do make "lap desks" with a proper surface and bean bag type support. i've seen it in retail stores like best buy and target. i don't know where you get online.

 

Just get a decent Breakfast Tray (under $20 usually) or LapDesk (or equivalent)

And use a Zalman ZM-NC1000 with it... then you are good to go.

 

That works or you could go to your local library and use a book. Just get a really big book.

 

Books work too.

I used my large Binder before as well.

 

Yes, I have seen this one in the stores. My main issue it that I want to put the laptop on the bed, and either sit or lay on my stomach and use it. With the sitting posture it is fine. But if I lay on my stomach, it will be too high.

 

Yes, I have seen this one as well. It seems real good if you are sitting in a chair a lot. I think that because it has the bean bag thing on the bottom, putting it on the bed might make it tip over/be unstable.

 

The book idea seems simple and pretty decent actually, so I guess thats an option. The Breakfast tray option sounds good as well except for one point. I would have to probably flip the tray over and use the under side. If I put it in the part that is supposed to contain the food, I think it could be a problem since the side are enclosed. Traps heat in.

 

one of the designs seem unstable on a bed. the other one seems just fine if you fluff it just right and set it down flat. one of them i'm unsure about. i was just in best buy taking a peek at them earlier. they run from $20-50. way overpriced if you ask me. you could make your own, or buy a big dictionary. the book is a great idea and it doubles up as a useful resource if you don't know the meaning of a word.

 

Actually my dad has one of those lap desks with the beanbag type underside, and it seems pretty stable when set by itself. But I'm sure it depends on which one you buy. If it were me I would just be lazy and make my own.

Heh, if you were connected to the internet anyway, you could probably look the word up online faster then it would take you to look it up in the dictionary...

 

yeah, but not always online or connected. it's always good to have old fashioned backup, though.

 

The best one is almost without a doubt this one: http://www.lapdawg.com/laptop-accessories/laptop-table.html?gclid=CObHuKPy3pMCFQEQGgodyEbRWw

You can be on your death bed and still be on your laptop in bed laying down:


It will do everything you want it too and more, sitting in bed, laying in bed, sitting in a chair. Its awesome but its expensive. Me personally I use a lap desk tv tray thing. Just one of those table top surfaces with a pillow attached under it so it can sit in your lap. But thats only good for sitting in bed and its not the most stable surface in the world.

I would love a lapdawg as a gift (hint hint lol) but I am a cheapo guy and wont buy one myself.

 

expensive is understatement. ouch!

 

Use the belly!

 

That gave me an idea. I've always wanted to get speech recognition on my laptop to work. Heck, that means I can fire up my VNC connection to work, check in, and not even have to put on my pants to go to work.

 

I have use Dragon Naturally Speaking and I really like enjoyed it, wasn't hard to use and it seemed to type very accurately (for me at least)

 

I was thinking of trying the builtin one in Vista. If I was going to spend money, nothing less than DragonSpeak would satisfy. So I'm with ya on Dragon Speak.

 

The bean bag stand I saw was the one that Staples sells. I will check out the one in Best Buy.

 

lol This gave me a good laugh. Yeah, thats what I want to do in my final minutes.


But that stand is cool, but I would never spend that much for it.

 

Well I found an old headset and started using the built in Vista Voice recognition it isn't bad definitely worth looking at since it is a added bonus of Vista.

 

So far a book and a upside down bed tray seems like good/effective cheap options. Anybody else?

 

This thread is really inspiring me to make my own laptop stand (out of wood). I think I will, but I don't know where to start....


I wonder if it would be feasible to try and build something like that lapdawg tray for in bed, just without the folding/adjusting functionallity of course.

 

I use the Lapinator myself and it's been very comfortable sitting in bed with this on my lap: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=252219

 

I ve already been using my own Laptop stand for long time...but its not sophisticated.

 

TIP OF THE DAY:

I use the cheapest thing going, its called my lap... LOL just joking.

I used a shelf from my kitchen, it was left over from the new kitchen we put in.

It cost cents.

You can probably get one from diy place for really cheap and just like a desk

 

This is a very good idea. I don't have one laying around but I did find the addtional piece of my dining table(one used to expand its size). It would be perfect, but it is too huge to use.

Right at the moment, I am using a 2" binder full of papers and it works pretty good in bed. It is stable, tilts the machine down making it easier to type. all the ports are unobstructed and the papers in it prevents it from collapsing. I just wish it was wider so that the ends of the machine didn't hang off the sides, but the machine sits stable on it(no rocking or tilting).

 

some people call that expansion piece a "leaf". not sure why but just letting you know. i don't know if there are any other names for it, i've always heard and therefore referred to it as the leaf. just letting you know. i didn't know it was called that either until a few years ago.

 

Yes, the term sounds vaguely familiar since you mention it. In any event, it would have been great, but it is too big. Almost as big as my desk table top

 

kinda thought it would be. you don't have an extra shelf from a cabinet/tv stand or something somewhere? i have an old shelf from an old tv stand i use sometimes. the tv stand is that el cheapo particle board black one from walmart. it usually retails for 20 bucks, but my walmart recently dropped it to $16 if you want to consider that. there's 5 potential pieces to use for lap/bed purposes in case you're in need of more than one for a family member or friend.

 

Lol thats pure laziness for ya

 

Im using a chopping board made of wood.. it works for me

 

I use a large airbake cookie sheet (20" x 15.5"); it's hard, flat and because of the insulating air layer in the middle, it doesn't transmit the laptop's heat to your lap (or whatever is under the laptop).

http://www.kitchencollection.com/Temp_Products.cfm?sku=00234286&catname=Bakeware

And, when you're done, you can bake some Toll House, yummmmmmm

 

That's almost perfect. What if i feel like lying on my side? I won't be able to use my laptop then!

 

Thanks everybody for your helpful, funny and unique ideas. My 2" Binder with papers is working perfectly for me. If I try something else I will probably do the breakfast tray, cookie sheet or maybe a piece of wood from a construction project.

 

@Wallyy...actually, you can fold it up more (the joints are adjustable) and set it off to the side while you lie on your side. I don't own one, but have been researching it...if you look on their website, you can see how really adjustable the lapdawg is...I am still debating as it is pretty steep @ $130.00.

 

this thing sure look good, but not good to your eyes! who ever use this, good luck.

 

You might want to take a look at these sites for reviews on several laptop stands:
http://the-gadgeteer.com/category/stands_and_mounts_laptop_
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/index_laptop.shtml

In the end, I went with iLap. I know it's another one of those overpriced 'i'-something products, but it's very comfortable and keeps my laptop from overheating when using my laptop on it on my lap.

 

this one?

it look cool, can u add a laptop fan cooler on top of it? than the laptop?

 

Yeah, I think you could if the size is right. Check the following page for dimensions:
http://www.raindesigninc.com/ilap_specs.html

 

I've been sitting in bed for a couple hours with my lappy in my lap. I finally decided I needed to just buy something. The Belkin and others have always seemed overprice to me. I'll try to look for a nice cutting board. I really regret not picking up a snazzy black breakfast tray I saw on clearance at Target years ago. For now I went into my closet and grabbed an old piece of particle board.

 

I saw the generic lap desks at best buy, walmart, ect they are better than these half baked alternatives and about the same price.