Anyone recommend a good bed tray?

Hi all,

Im looking to buy some sort of tray that i can rest my m17 on while in bed, I've come across the CushTop, is it any good, does it interfere with the air flow?

Can anyone else recommend any other trays?



Thanks peeps

Nella

 

I have never tried a bed tray. when I browsed in bed I just sat cross-legged with the laptop on my legs.

Now I just use my netbook when I want to use a PC in bed.

 

I have a wooden breakfast tray for the bed with fold out legs. It fits the m17x perfect. It's nice to not have it resting on my legs.

 

There is a section related to accessories with a couple of suggestions, one that I liked was this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/3449659-post13.html

 

That one would not provide good ventilation underneath while gaming. I use this Newegg.com - Targus Podium CoolPad Model PA241U on top of my breakfast tray.

 

Not planning on using it for gaming in bed, just for general browsing and movie watching. Ideally looking for something that I can rest beside me as I fear if its resting on me I will fall asleep and manage to launch it across the room.

 

I sometimes game on my bed using Cryo LX.

 

that being the case, just about any tray will do, since the system won't be getting stressed.

LOL always a risk when you fall asleep with a laptop on your chest...

 

Funny you should mention the NZXT Cryo LX, I've been looking into buying a cooler and the Cryo looks like its prob the best out there, do the fans get blocked buy the duvet if used on the bed?

 

It IS the best for M17x. I don't know where the fans are located in M17, so I'm not sure.
The cooler's fans don't get blocked though. I tried once. But mostly, I just have it off.

 

The Cryo LX is very nice. I have heard the fans are pretty weak though, even with the new ac adapters.

 

I use a Belkin Cushtop.... only a tenner:

Play.com (UK): DVDs, Music CDs, MP3s, Video Games, Books, Electronics & Gadgets - Free Delivery - Search Results: cushtop

no fans - its just a tray - but laptop stays much cooler than trying to work directly on me duvet!

 

These are a bit pricey, but I love my Logitech N700. The speakers sound great and it is really comfortable on your lap. My M17 sticks a tad bit over on the back and slightly covers the speakers. However, you can still here them fine and it keeps the laptop pretty cool. The fan is really quiet.

Logitech - Speaker Lapdesk N700 - 939-000287

 

My mate big Tony said he will be your M17x tray very flexible

 

lol i think he may be a tad over qualified for my m17.

Cheers for that link JP, for a tenner you cant go wrong so will order one up today and give it a go.

 

I'm actually looking at getting a new one at the moment.

I can only provide comments on my current laptop cooling pad: Coolermaster Notepal Infinite. I like this, the fans are at the back so air flow isn't obstructed if you're using it on your lap - although the fan noise is quite noticeable - even at the lowest setting.

I'd prefer something with a fan in it to aid in cooling but I'm looking at everything. A few people have recommended the Cryo LX but I'm not sure how comfortable something like this would be just sitting on my lap given the design underneath. I think this looks great to put on your desk/flat surface though. (Any opinions on comfort from owners using this directly on their lap?)

From a purely comfort perspective this looks interesting (but no cooling fans): The Logitech Comfort Lapdesk


Edit: Hm, just came across this one - while it's not yet released on Amazon (but available elsewhere) it looks like it ticks all the boxes for me. Comfort, cooling and while I'm not sure I'll use the integrated speakers they're a nice bonus. Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700.


The Zalman ZM-NC2000 was another one I was quite seriously considering - not sure if the fans seemed a bit small / could easily be obstructed underneath etc. though.

 

17x would fit on this LapDawg X4 - Official Product Details | LapDawg.com right?

 

I personally have this one Computer Laptop Buddy Cushion Desk Pen Light&Cup Holder - eBay (item 290432224142 end time May-11-10 20:15:01 PDT) I absolutely LOVE it and I use it with my m11x I don't think that it would be very practical for the m17x b/c you couldn't use the cup holder as that laptop is HUGE! The m15x is questionable.

 

I think lapdawg is the best if m17x fits

 

I could easily see myself rolling over in bed or having some sort of nightmare and launching the lapdawg, im terrible for falling asleep with the tv on and would have to rely on making sure i put it away at night.

The logitech comfort lapdesk looks quite promising tho. I've ordered a Cushtop and will see how i get on with it and monitor temps. I was only £10 delivered so worth a shot.

 

I looked at that, however there were some negative reviews regarding its use with 17" notebooks. It's like an "A" shape, with a wide base, and the narrower top to accommodate a 15" notebook.

If you want to accommodate a 17" notebook, you need to flip it - meaning the narrower top becomes the base. In this situation, from the reviews I've read, it is apparently quite unstable. Additionally, quite a few people have mentioned it does nothing for heat dissipation and has actually increased heat in their laptops leading to shut-downs. Plus, quality of the product was also debated.

For that price I guess it's worth giving a go. Perhaps you can keep an eye on your temperatures and let us know what you think.

 

I use my Cryo LX in bed all the time my cover doesn't affect flow as much as i thought but it does affect flow the fans are alright they aren't bad/nor great they are just alright . I was thinking of putting three scythe fans I had laying around so that will be better i'm sure. this cooler was made for the M17x I swear it.

 

It appears that walmart no longer carries the one I picked up in late 2008/early 2009 for $30, so I did a search for one of the patent numbers on the bottom (zl200620015846.3) & found a link to what appears to be the manufacturer & an upgraded version that changed the battery powered incandescent light to a USB LED & hub.

I like it because you have 3 overall height adjustments (legs folded for tray mode, half-legs for using on the couch & full-legs for placing on the floor), plus you can raise each side of the top for an angle adjustment. It also has storage space under the mousepad side. Granted, with the size of an m17x, it will overlap the mousepad side about 1.5" if you have the left side flush with the edge, but to compensate, I just moved the m17x to the left & let it overhang a little. After over a year's useage, my only complaint is that the built-in mousepad ended up getting a small tear in the cloth & it started "a run" in the material, causing me to peel that off entirely. I now have a regular mousepad sitting there to reduce the chances of the mouse sliding off when I shift my position while on the recliner.

I just wish I could find a reputable retailer that sells it so I can buy another for my wife to use when she's on the m17x-R1. She is using something similar to this & doesn't like it because it sits directly on her legs. With an m17x, that's a bit of weight/pressure for long gaming sessions in her recliner.

 

What you described sounds exactly like the My Place Bed Workstation. Bed Bath and Beyond sells it (I just got one last week). It really cheap and does the job well, but there is not much room for mouse use when gaming. However its perfect for watching movies in bed or something.

 

That definitely looks like it.

I have my m17x-R2 hanging over the left side by .75", which gives me about 6.5" of surface width for the mouse to move on the right side. The total width of the tray is about 21". I have the sensitivity of my mouse set to where I can move from one edge of the screen to the other in less than 3", so it works great for me.

Thank you for mentioning that. Especially with it being on clearance for $20 (+$5.99 shipping), I'll be ordering one today. I guess it will be a belated mother's day gift for her.

 

If you live near a store and they have it in stock, you could get it for around 16 bucks, after a 5 dollar off 15 coupon.

 

Ooo! I may have to get one of those.

I'm using the Logitech Comfort Lapdesk N500 right now.

 

I somehow completely missed this one on my first read through ( ) this thread but I actually purchased it a couple of days ago. I also love it and can definitely recommend it. As Quazimodo says, Quiet fan (no speed setting though, just on/off), the sound from the speakers is decent enough but the real bonus is the padded comfortable base for your lap. The width is good, but it could've had more depth to accommodate a 17" laptop (it was clearly designed with a 15" laptop in mind).