I by no means used to provide a lot thought to laptop computer stands. Apple’s not too long ago launched 15-inch MacBook Air—an expanded model of the 13-inch mannequin with in any other case comparable specs—modified that.
That is the primary MacBook Air I don’t routinely shut when connecting it to an exterior monitor, which is how I principally use laptops. I prefer it to remain open and subsequent to the show for a dual-screen setup—the larger 15-inch MacBook Air show works higher than the 13-inch model as a result of it’s simpler on the eyes.
I’m additionally utilizing the 15-inch MacBook Air by itself greater than I did with smaller Apple laptops. I deal with it as a workstation in its personal proper, the place ergonomics are additionally vital. Fairly than hunch over the laptop computer and danger neck pressure, I want its display screen at eye degree whereas I take advantage of exterior enter units.
So, discovering a high-quality laptop computer stand grew to become a prime precedence. I wanted one sturdy sufficient to help the 15-inch MacBook Air but transportable sufficient to tuck into my backpack when leaving my dwelling workplace for work conferences. Adjustability is a should.
I discovered two pocket book stands that met my necessities—the Roost by the corporate of the identical title and the Curve Flex by acquainted accent producer Twelve South—however accomplish that in numerous methods. I like each, however just one has earned a daily spot on my desk.
Curve Flex
Twelve South followers are aware of the Curve, a $59.99 MacBook stand out there in white or black that’s stylishly curvy however not adjustable or transportable. Twelve South’s $39.99 Curve SE, a funds model of the Curve out there in silver, has the identical points.
Enter the Curve Flex, which isn’t low cost at $79.99 however supplies adjustability and portability. It consists of three metallic components related through stiff hinges:
- The underside piece, formed just like the letter U, securely crops the stand on a desk or desk.
- The center piece, formed a bit just like the letter H, attaches to the again of the underside piece. Its hinge motion supplies top adjustability as much as 22 inches (56 cm).
- The higher piece, a useless ringer for the underside part, holds the laptop computer. Its hinge motion permits tilt adjustability as much as 45 levels.
That higher piece tends to fade from view when the laptop computer is on it, so the groovy impact is that of a floating spaceship docked to the large H.
The Curve Flex, out there in matte black or white, collapses right into a flattened bundle and comes with a smooth case.
Getting the cling of utilizing the Curve Flex takes some effort—Twelve South supplies a sticker with visible directions—and the hinges are tight. It’s a good suggestion to take your MacBook off the stand whereas making changes, lest you harm the laptop computer by pushing on it an excessive amount of. You’ll positively wish to try this when adjusting the hinges’ pressure utilizing an Allen wrench.
I discover the Curve Flex to be a little bit of a trouble. It isn’t as compact as I would love in my backpack, and manhandling it into place for a piece session is a manufacturing. However I can’t complain an excessive amount of as a result of it in any other case meets my wants. I’ve principally used it at dwelling, the place it moved round occasionally, and solely often did I take it on the highway.
The Curve Flex is a design triumph in a single sense: it could actually help a laptop computer in a particularly cramped area. I’ve used it for work with my employer-issued ThinkPad proper up in opposition to a wall and tucked between 27-inch shows. And I’ve set it up at a cosy pc desk the place utilizing a laptop computer with exterior enter units would in any other case have been subsequent to not possible.
Roost
You’d be forgiven for scoffing on the Roost, which at first look appears ridiculously flimsy. The plasticky stand, although intelligent in the way it expands from a rod-like bundle, seems too rickety to carry a big laptop computer securely.
I wanted convincing, so I emailed Roost maker James Olander. Right here’s a flippantly edited a part of his response:
The stand is created from glass-filled nylon, which is intentional because it permits the Roost to be as mild as it’s. The components are optimized for optimum energy and stiffness (my background is in structural aerospace engineering). We provide a lifetime guarantee on the product as a result of we designed it to be extremely sturdy. We wouldn’t try this if we had issues about sturdiness.
The $89.95 Roost has develop into my default stand as a result of it’s tremendous transportable. It nearly appears to be like like a mini-umbrella when collapsed and tucked into its nylon sleeve, and it’s a cinch to deploy when you get the cling of find out how to unfold it in a single, clean movement.
The Roost lacks the Curve Flex’s tilt adjustability and is meant solely to boost and decrease a MacBook utilizing sliding tabs which have seven changes with solely affordable elevations between 6 and 11 inches (15 to twenty-eight cm). The lady within the animation under is making changes along with her laptop computer on the stand, which I by no means found out find out how to do and not using a wrestle, however it’s easy to do when the stand is empty.
The laptop computer suits into pivoting grips that maintain it gently however firmly. Roost’s stability is nice; there’s a little bit of shake in the event you prod the pc, however it’s not going anyplace. Neither is the setup tippy—it will take fairly a success to knock over the stand with the laptop computer in it. Plus, the Roost has non-skid ft, so it gained’t slide round in your desk.
My Final Stand
The Curve Flex and the Roost are each fairly transportable, however the cleverly collapsible Roost is considerably extra so, because of its mild weight and minimal area necessities. Regardless of its small measurement, it’s an impressively adjustable and seemingly sturdy laptop computer stand for anybody trying to increase a MacBook off the desk floor.
