Laptop stand suggestions?

Hey all,

I'm looking into getting a laptop stand to use while sitting in a chair, sitting up in a bed, or potentially lying in a bed. My laptop (check sig) is a large 17.3" laptop (according to specs it's about 16.5" wide and 11.2" deep). I currently have the Brada support from Ikea ( here), but as you can see it's very rudimentary. There will be times that I plan to game on it, so I would like ease of use with a mouse. Also note that I am cheap and don't like to spend much money, so I tend to focus more on good value for low price.

I'm looking at 3 specifically right now:

AmazonBasics Ventilated Adjustable Laptop Stand
( listed on Amazon here)

LESHP Folding Laptop Stand Desk
( listed on Amazon here)

and

Portable Adjustable Vented Laptop Stand/Desk/Table by Executive Office Solutions
( listed on Amazon here)

The AmazonBasics is the cheapest, smallest, and most portable. It looks like the laptop would fit ok on it, even though the laptop is bigger than the stand itself. It is also great for using to prop up the laptop for use on a desktop or table as well. Downsides is that there is no place for a mouse (I'd need to provide some hard, flat surface for the mouse) and it may not work so well on the bed, at least lying down.

The LESHP looks good, has an attachable mouse tray, and is definitely large enough for the laptop. Perhaps a bit too large; could I sit in a recliner to use it, or would the space between the armrests be too small for the legs of the stand? Also, it doesn't look as easy to use on a table or desk. Also not as portable.

The last one looks similar to the LESHP, but smaller and more compact, and more likely to fit on a recliner seat (probably preferred over the LESHP for those reasons).

My main question, then, concerns the style of the last two. I've never used that kind before. For those who have, is the mouse tray worth it? Or is it an inconvenience and is taken off most of the time (I have high sensitivity on my mouse, so size isn't much of a concern)? If it's an annoyance, I might as well get the AmazonBasics stand (after all, the addition of the mouse tray and ease of using it on the bed are the main reasons for considering them). Likewise, how is it on a tabletop or desktop? Would it be difficult to game using the laptop keyboard?

Thanks for your input!

 

Just my $0.02 but the attached mousepads look 1) too small and 2) awkwardly positioned. You'd have to pretty much hover your arm instead of resting it on something to use it.

 

The mouse sensitivity is usually turned up very high, so I hardly ever need to lift the mouse, and the trays look to be about the size of the small mousepad I use, so I don't think that would be an issue. However, the hovering is a good point. I am used to resting my arm on something. Thanks for bringing that up, that's why I asked. Have you used it before, or are you just imagining trying to use it?

 

Little of both. I haven't used one before, but my last laptop desk was pretty much a glorified TV tray (floor stand). It was exactly wide enough that you could put a mouse next to the laptop, but that was it. I had to choose between putting the mouse back by the exhaust vent or hovering, and neither was pleasant.

 

Now that you mention that, I should probably stick with the more simple AmazonBasics stand. It's not that hard to come up with my own little DIY mouse tray (I usually use a tall and wide book, like a music book), and having it attached may not be in my best interest anyway; it's more limiting. Plus it saves $10+ .

 

It's what I'd do. I have a slightly bigger desk so it's not a problem any more, but still.

 

The amazon one looks to provide a lot of ventilation, doesn't take up a lot of space, and has that nice cable organizer. Plus it's super cheap. However you might want to consider getting something like a lap desk so that it can be dual purpose.

 

As another option you could make/rig one up for yourself. I game on my couch and needed something similar to the Couch Master. To save cash I invested in 4 large stiff pillows and a plank of wood about 3ft in length and 1 ft in width. The four pillows (2 stuffed into a large pillow case for each side) provide support to keep the plank off your body. I drilled and routed two recessed areas in the plank where the laptop would sit on and installed fans blowing upward to the underneath of the laptop (powered by the laptop itself). I attached a 1x2 at the edge to provide a resting point for the rear of the laptop to allow for more airflow.

It's pretty comfortable and allows for more than adequate cooling for the laptop. I made mine out of oak so it's a bit on the heavy side, but going with poplar or other softwood would definitely lighten the load.

When on travel I get downright inventive. I rent a double queen room and use the extra pillows and an ironing board to continue my couch gaming ways - sad but works for me

I'll attach a photo of my shoddy work here when I get home later.

Here is the bare board - large space for mouse - shoddy work on the fans but they work


recessed fans so they aren't pushing against computer grill. Definitely keeps things nice and cool.


here it is with the computer all ready to go. Set the pillows up on either side of me and place board on top. I can then rest my arms on the pillows while mousing and typing. Easily adjustable.

 

I would definitely say that the Amazon basics laptop stand wins hands down.

First of all, it looks great, second of all, it allows the laptop to use much less space on the desktop, assuming you'd like to connect a keyboard and mouse combo.

And lastly, it enables greater airflow, as it direct heat upwards, and sucks fresh room temperature air from underneath. Natural and great.

 

I currently use this for gaming on a bed. Fits my 17.3" GT72VR along with a mouse on the side if I move it a bit to the left, the feet at the very edge of the table. When using it on a table for ventilation, I just flip the legs in and put it on the desk.

https://www.amazon.com/Nnewvante-Adjustable-Foldable-Breakfast-Serving/dp/B01HY215A0/

It can be unstable with such a heavy laptop on a bed when the laptop tray is tilted though, due to center of gravity n' all that. Still good for lying on bed and gaming with a controller when tilted.

On a solid surface like a table, having the laptop tilted poses no problem for me and gives pretty good ventilation under it.

EDIT: My laptop weighs 8.3 lbs for comparison.

EDIT2: You would be looking at this much 'real estate' for your mouse.

http://i.imgur.com/JoJqQua.jpg