Seeking a Lap Desk for Both iPad and MacBook Pro
November 9, 2010 11:31 PM Subscribe
I don't even know whether it's possible, but if anyone finds it so they're no doubt here. My MacBook Pro is getting too hot on my lap and my iPad is too unsteady propped up on a couch pillow. In the spirit of multi-use it would be great to find a lap desk that serves both functions and, as I've studied every model out there, I'm hoping to hear from others with real-world experience.
My in the wild conditions include a lazy-boy with arm-rests, a 15" MacBook Pro and an iPad with a leather back. A lip to hold the iPad would seem to be necessary. At the same time, I don't want to have to over-extend my reach to use my trackpad and keyboard. While some height seems good for the iPad, it won't be for the laptop. But enough speculation. Has anyone else been working on this?
My in the wild conditions include a lazy-boy with arm-rests, a 15" MacBook Pro and an iPad with a leather back. A lip to hold the iPad would seem to be necessary. At the same time, I don't want to have to over-extend my reach to use my trackpad and keyboard. While some height seems good for the iPad, it won't be for the laptop. But enough speculation. Has anyone else been working on this?
You might try the Rain Designs iLap. I've got one for my MBP and it's metal, so it keeps everything cooler. I can give it a whirl with my iPad tomorrow when I get home from work and see how it goes.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 12:39 AM on November 10, 2010
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 12:39 AM on November 10, 2010
I'd guess that your looking for something with a hard top so that the laptop air intakes are clear and the fan functions at normal speed and doesn't overheat. As you say, you want a lip. Then you want an insulated cushion to rest on your lap.
It's making me think of the things I sometimes eat my dinner off. They've got no brand name on them that I can find, but they're basically a plastic cafe or hospital tray with a small bean bag across the bottom (that is indeed full of white foam beans).
If you can't find something similar for sale, it wouldn't be too hard to make one yourself. If you needed additional steadying for the iPad, maybe think about velcro spots on the top of the table, and on a couple of spots on the base of the device.
posted by Ahab at 2:23 AM on November 10, 2010
It's making me think of the things I sometimes eat my dinner off. They've got no brand name on them that I can find, but they're basically a plastic cafe or hospital tray with a small bean bag across the bottom (that is indeed full of white foam beans).
If you can't find something similar for sale, it wouldn't be too hard to make one yourself. If you needed additional steadying for the iPad, maybe think about velcro spots on the top of the table, and on a couple of spots on the base of the device.
posted by Ahab at 2:23 AM on November 10, 2010
I've been using an iLap from Rain Designs for a few years for my MBP and really like it. Not sure how it'll work for an iPad with the puffy wrist part.
posted by jdl at 4:42 AM on November 10, 2010
posted by jdl at 4:42 AM on November 10, 2010
My MacBook pro lives on a laptop desk from IKEA called Dave, with a bit of non-slip mat underneath each foot. It gets alarmingly hot if I'm playing games with the fancy GPU activated, or if I'm transcoding video, but it's OK for general use.
I'm not sure what angle you want your iPad to be at, though - this is about 30° - but I'm sure you should consider the rubber mat if your otherwise ideal solution lacks a lip.
posted by nowonmai at 5:30 AM on November 10, 2010
I'm not sure what angle you want your iPad to be at, though - this is about 30° - but I'm sure you should consider the rubber mat if your otherwise ideal solution lacks a lip.
posted by nowonmai at 5:30 AM on November 10, 2010
Response by poster: The lapdog pug design wouldn't work with the arms of my chair, where we three spend most of our time. fairytale and jdl does the iLap sit on your lap? It seems as if those bars would cut into your legs after a while. I need something that will be comfortable for five-hour stretches.
posted by Mertonian at 8:21 AM on November 10, 2010
posted by Mertonian at 8:21 AM on November 10, 2010
Response by poster: I forgot about brainmouse's idea, which I like best. I just wonder if the fabric would increase the heat of my laptop, which gets really hot. (I just got it back from Apple with its third HD).
posted by Mertonian at 8:22 AM on November 10, 2010
posted by Mertonian at 8:22 AM on November 10, 2010
Best answer: Getting a small laptop elevator to enhance air circulation is really key to using a laptop successfully on a lap desk without overheating. I use a little rubber thingie that I bought for $7 at MicroCenter; my husband uses something he rigged up out of rubber furniture cups. Other folks I know swear by chill pads with USB-powered fans. The key is not to let the laptop sit on the desk, though.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:42 AM on November 10, 2010
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:42 AM on November 10, 2010
Response by poster: Actually, Apple tells me that the MBP is designed to sit on a flat surface, just not a lap and especially not one in fleece PJs.
posted by Mertonian at 11:20 AM on November 10, 2010
posted by Mertonian at 11:20 AM on November 10, 2010
Best answer: I have this one from belkin and I love it. The base is rigid enough that the vents on the laptop are still open and it can be flipped in several different ways so it's comfy no matter the device. I've used it with a 17" laptop and a 10" netbook.
Plus, if you have a crazy cat like mine, it might just double as a cat scratcher :-p
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 11:29 AM on November 10, 2010
Plus, if you have a crazy cat like mine, it might just double as a cat scratcher :-p
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 11:29 AM on November 10, 2010
Actually, Apple tells me that the MBP is designed to sit on a flat surface
And yet, it is not. I mean, yeah, it doesn't actually catch fire, but you really need to ventilate the bottom. I should have been more specific in my comment and said that the husband and I both have MBPs.
You will be glad you ventilated yours.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:32 AM on November 10, 2010
And yet, it is not. I mean, yeah, it doesn't actually catch fire, but you really need to ventilate the bottom. I should have been more specific in my comment and said that the husband and I both have MBPs.
You will be glad you ventilated yours.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:32 AM on November 10, 2010
Best answer: I use a piece of wood about the same footprint as the laptop. It's more a laptop shim than laptop desk. It was a shelf in a now-demolished cupboard; a piece of masonite or 1'x12'x12' pine would work. I don't use a mouse or external keyboard.
posted by theora55 at 12:52 PM on November 10, 2010
posted by theora55 at 12:52 PM on November 10, 2010
Response by poster: Great, theora. Turned around, this could provide then perfect angle for the iPad. Thanks!
posted by Mertonian at 1:46 PM on November 10, 2010
posted by Mertonian at 1:46 PM on November 10, 2010
I've used the lapinator for years. It's light and works well for my 15" MBP.
posted by JV at 12:53 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by JV at 12:53 PM on November 11, 2010
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posted by brainmouse at 11:37 PM on November 9, 2010