Lap of luxury
Summary
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That is, unless your sizzling gams came courtesy of the notebook computer that's sitting on your lap. I can't count the number of times that I've gone to change the battery on my ThinkPad, only to realize the sudden relief that resulted from removing a broiling PC from my lap.
LapWorks' $25 Laptop Desk dissipates the heat from a portable PC, keeping your thighs from burning up. This handy accessory weighs in at less than a pound. Folded in half, it's barely an inch thick and fits into any shoulder or computer bag. When fully unfolded, the Laptop Desk provides room for even the largest notebook computer with space to spare, and that space is covered with rubber mouse pad material. That's good, because if you work with your notebook on your lap for extended periods of time, the built-in pointing device can start to wear on you.
Laptop Desk has five adjustments for angling the notebook, but changing the pitch this way requires you to rotate the desk 90 degrees and fold it almost in half. When turned and angled like this, you sacrifice the benefit of the built-in mouse pad, because in that position, the desk isn't nearly as wide as it is when it is flat and fully unfolded.
I tested the desk on several aircraft--in coach, business, and first class. Airplane trays are often unreliable as support for a notebook computer. In some airplane seats, the Laptop Desk makes a great replacement. But with some seating configurations, the Laptop Desk won't fit between the armrests in its fully unfolded (and most useful) position.
In other locations on solid ground, like those uncomfortable seats in airport waiting areas or on the living room couch while watching Survivor (I bet I could win that thing), the Laptop Desk is a lifesaver.
Speaking of lifesavers--according to LapWorks spokesman Jose Calero, Laptop Desk is made of bulletproof glass. While I consider myself a bona fide road warrior, I've yet to require something literally bulletproof, knock on wood. The choice of material is a testament to its ability to survive just about any abuse it gets on the road.
What do you think? Is this just what you need to keep your cool or just another thing to lug around? E-mail me or vent some steam in our TalkBack arena.
David Berlind is editorial director of ZDNet. Every Friday, he takes a break from his usual corporate mumbo jumbo to write Digerati; an acknowledgement that his readers lead the pack when it comes to using personal technology.
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