Some may recall threads here I had about my failing Win7 OS desktop, reliance on an 11 year old XP laptop during the desktop problems, updating the desktop to Win10, and finally taking the suggestions of Hobbs and others and replacing the XP OS on that old Dell Vostro 1000 with Linux Mint Mate.

We also ended up replacing the dying 60GB HDD with a new Crucial 120GB SSD and bumping the memory from 2GB 533MHz to Crucial 4GB 800MHz for the princely investment of $29. (Amazon gave me a $5 courtesy credit because of the extensive shipping delays with the SSD. DDR2 RAM was sourced on eBay.) Between these tweaks and the Linux OS the old girl now sings!

Well in years past laptops I had were substitutes for desktops and rarely saw portable or travel use. Now with a working Win10 Mini-Tower desktop, the rejuvenated laptop serves as a portable device. I quickly found that hunched over a cocktail table or trying to place it and its still functioning 11 year old cooling pad on my thighs were non-starters.

Did some research and learned about lap desks. Ended up popping for an inexpensive one that has a Velcro attached foam pad cushion to go between the desktop and thighs. Surface space is spacious at over 23" wide easily accommodating my laptop and a wireless trackball mouse. Works quite well.

Forgot to ask if anyone else uses a lap desk.

And if so, what ones that have found favor with and what one have disappointed.

I don't have a laptop but am wondering how you keep the laptop in place on the lap desk?

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
I don't have a laptop but am wondering how you keep the laptop in place on the lap desk?

The bottom of my vintage cooling pad has grippy rubber feet. And the laptop itself has 4 round rubber feet which work well keeping it in place on top of the slightly angled cooling pad. The lap desk sits fairly flat in use as well which contributes to the stability.

I have a laptop cooling station. I used it tilted up at first and within 2 months had a nasty case of golfer's elbow. In hindsight, typing at an angle (like OP's pic on the right) took my wrists out of the neutral position and was an ergonomic mistake.

I'm back to using it flat and much, much better ergonomics.

tatortodd,
I'm a "hunt 'n peck" two finger typist so the slight incline doesn't impact my wrists at all.

I can't tell from the pix, is there bean bag type filled section underneath? We use a couple different sized ones, essential IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
I can't tell from the pix, is there bean bag type filled section underneath? We use a couple different sized ones, essential IMO.

Yes there's a foam filled Velcro attached washable cushion (bag) underneath that makes it comfortable on the thighs.

Hopefully this side view will answer the questions about how the components stay planted and about the cushion underneath the platform.

And FWIW the cooling pad is a Monoprice #8422 bought in early 2012. It has 3 70mm fans with both outboard ones vertically moveable. USB 2.0 powered with a built in 4-port USB Hub.

It nearly killed me to pay as much as I did for it. but my Levenger lap desk has been great!

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
It nearly killed me to pay as much as I did for it. but my Levenger lap desk has been great!

I know the feeling as I have one of their folding Editor's Desks. Bought probably 20 years or more ago. Thought I'd use it but never did and given the cost it was a poor investment despite the quality of design and build.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

Wow, that top looks beefy, 3/4" material?
Ours are much thinner and very light weight. I'd the more mass might help keep the desk in place.

BTW Trackballs rule. I made that choice with out first PC in the 90's and still think it was the right way to go.

This is the one I used when I was sick in bed and working from home:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/pr..._title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Leg height is adjustable so it alleviates any and all pressure from my thigh; enough desk for my 15.6inch laptop and even has a mouse pad; USB fan underneath keeps the laptop cool.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Wow, that top looks beefy, 3/4" material?
Ours are much thinner and very light weight. I'd the more mass might help keep the desk in place.

BTW Trackballs rule. I made that choice with out first PC in the 90's and still think it was the right way to go.

The board is a bit over 3/8" thick and lap desk weighs 3.25 lbs with the cushion.

As for trackballs I'm still using a Microsoft Trackball Explorer 1.0 with my desktop. It's over a decade old and recently was treated to a complete overhaul. And yes, the surface finish reflects years of usage wear.

quote:

Originally posted by Mech:
This is the one I used when I was sick in bed and working from home:

Did you use a special wedge or backrest reading pillow with it? My bed has a tall shelving headboard not really conducive to stacking normal pillows against it.

I was asked, so.... Here's the lap desk I'm using:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FQK13XM/