★★★★★ 5
Well-built MacBook Stand to Help Eliminate Ergonomic Problems
Color: silver
Like so many people these days, a lot of my life revolves around being on my laptop. Like so many people these days, all that time hunched over a laptop was causing physical discomfort. Once I realized the source of my problems and reading up on solutions to common laptop ergonomics problems, I chose this laptop stand as one of my tools to correct the ergonomics issues facing me, and eight months later I am happy to inform you that this has done its job well.
Fortunately, I was already using my laptop on a standard-height desk, but having the screen at desk height (30" off the floor) was the major source of neck pain for me. At its lowest setting (the knob all the way to the left), it raises my 13-inch MacBook Pro about 5-3/4" off the table (measured to the bottom of the aluminum body that covers the back of the laptop screen). Note that if your MacBook has a different depth (measured from front to back), the amount your screen is raised will be a little different. At the highest setting (knob to the right), the screen is raised about 7-1/2" off the table.
I am just over 6' tall and tend to find that my neck is able to maintain a comfortable neutral position when the knob in the right third of the slide, but of course that varies according to each user, their sitting position, and own comfort zone. All-in-all, this provides a really great range of screen heights that is likely to fit most peoples' needs, especially on 30" height desk.
I think the pictures do a great job of covering aesthetics (that is certainly a big part of this purchase). It is high-quality aluminum, and like all aluminum, it is a fairly soft, scratch-prone metal. Mine has remained in nearly new condition after 8 months, and it maintains a clean look that looks almost looks like an Apple product. If you have one of the newer space gray or colored-aluminum MacBooks, that might obviously be an issue.
Mechanically, the stand is solid. There are no indents or notches in the slide. There is a slight spring to the upper "lever" of the base such that if you have the knob set to the lower positions, the upper part of the base springs upward to the highest position when the laptop is removed. In the highest position, the stand is already at its highest position, and there is no movement. I suspect that the spring is actually to help the upper arm move upward as the knob is slid to higher positions.
One caveat for use of this stand should be used with an external mouse and keyboard. Of course, Apple's Magic line of keyboards, mice, and trackpads work well with this, but the point is that when the laptop is raised, it is no longer comfortable (or ergonomic) to use the laptop's keyboard and trackpad.
Overall, this product delivers in every way I need. The price is on the high side, but I hope it will last through the life of this laptop and at least one replacement or three (and maybe even the days when the laptops become archaic relics of the past). The range of screen lift (about 5-3/4" to 7-1/2") suits me well (and I suspect, will suit a large number of people) and the aesthetics are a great match for MacBook users.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2017
