S**.
Because I like the company--it's obvious that they're trying their best (premium ...
If you want a bottom line review, here it is:This stand was obviously made with much care and attention to detail; with a few tweaks it would be a five-star stand. As it "stands" (sorry, no way around that one :) , I will NOT be using it to its "full potential," due to several design elements which would be asking for problems (in my estimation).Because I like the company--it's obvious that they're trying their best (premium materials, detailed user guide, great packing and packaging, and lots of little extras like a binder clip to go with the paper stand (for a truly out-of-the-box, out-the-door-and-ready-to-go experience)--I will add my recommendations in the not-bottom-line bit review below.RATIONALE FOR THE ABOVE-MENTIONED BOTTOM-LINEI bought this stand with the intention of using it for my Surface Studio (21lbs.).At the moment, I am not sure it would be such a good idea--NOT just because I got an obvious return/damaged item, but because of some design elements which weaken the stand (in my opinion).User GuideThe illustrations were not helpful to me, but could be improved with tiny bits of shading to show which is the receding bit and which is the protruding one. The photos could be more helpful if the pictured stand could be lightened up (it looks like a solid mass instead of several thinner panels) or even changed to the silver stand. Also, the angle might be changed to make it clearer which side we're looking at. (There are a few differences between the model pictured and the one I got--different style and size of lip, for example--which made it difficult to see which side should be facing the user during assembly. Not a huge deal, since it would become obvious in later steps, but if you've already attached the top stand, then you now have to unattach it and flip it and reattach it. Again, not a huge deal... except for the next issue I have.)FASTENERSThankfully, there is a matching baby wrench included. The fastening equation includes one cross-headed baby screw, one threaded insert (in the metal panels), and one welded/closed-ended nut. (Laugh if you like, but I don't know the names of hardware and fasteners; I'm an inventor, so hardware shopping online is a nightmare, hah.)The exception to those above-mentioned equation things is the four wing-nuts (the name was in the manual! :D which attach the top plate to the rest of the stand.The latter are fine; I do have a concern that someone with reasonably-large and/or moderately-powerful hands could end up breaking off the welded-on thing onto which those WNs are being put, OR snapping the WN in half (or like 1/3) with some overzealous tightening.The one that I have a huge problem with is the actual equation I mentioned before, though; some people ALWAYS over-tighten stuff and it's ALWAYS ok, coz it's something that NEEDS to be like that forever. (aka not a hinge/scissor-lifting whatever-it's-called)In THIS case, you'd WANT to over-tighten it (coz it's holding a $3k+ bit of electronical finery, you know?), but will soon learn that it should NOT be over-tightened. Why? 1) Stripping the outside of the bolt/nut thing IS possible (aka no longer hex shaped), and/or 2) warping the baby wrench is possible, but most-importantly, 3) the "scissor lift" hinge whatever-it's-called principle will ONLY work if there is some allowance for movement.The reason I know this is NOT because I tried this and ruined my brand-new stand, but because I received a stand that had been returned after the previous owner (aka not brand-new anymore, sigh) DID try it. In fact, I suspect that s/he used an electric driver, coz it's impossible to budge the "hinge" on mine. (Without totally breaking the metal tabs around this problem area.) And the metal lip-things to protect users and their textiles from snagging on stuff... also protects the hardware equation from getting the wrench to these places in a convenient and safe manner.So! The problem here is trying to balance the whole "hardware that needs to secure the STABILITY and STRENGTH of the stand" bit with the thing about "being able to re-tighten after adjusting positions--without fear of stripping the hardware, breaking the hardware, and/or making it impossible to remove the hardware (without damaging anything)."MY RECOMMENDATION: Instead of using baby fasteners (1/4th or 1/2 inch), use longer, thicker, and stronger ones with those WING NUTS (stronger ones, of course) from the bottom of the top plate. On the parts that may need re-tightening every so often. It's GREAT that there are threaded inserts to put those cross-headed screws into, but with so short a distance, all that's needed is a violent wrench of the stand and the entire screw will itself strip the threads out of the insert part, defeating the whole "extra security" bit, aka the point of those threads in the first place. If you don't like the protrusion of those points, you can put a rubber or cork pluggish thing to prevent snags.So that now addressed the concern about adjustability/security-upon-adjusting.(Once I find the optimal position for my computer, I would probably rivet the whole thing in place just to be sure. As of now, however, I'm not sure I'll keep this one, because of the abuse caused by that previous owner of this poor stand. So riveting rivets will have to wait.)METAL TABSThe adjustingness of this stand is achieved by metal tabs that go to the slotted counterpart in the metal base (it's all made of metal, actually).Basic and elegant solution to that need of adjustability, yes. BUT, if laptop almost-falls (teeters to one side, for whatever reason), there is a chance that the tab can be dislodged, which may not cause it to fall down (statistically-improbable that it the opposite screw would happen to fail at just that second, though maybe it was already loose, but that's another story). BUT I can foresee that a breakage of the metal could, in fact, occur in such a scenario.MY RECOMMENDATIONInstead of TABS, I'd go with DONUTS or even CUBES (geometrical 3D instead of angled/bent flat tab) and corresponding recesses. While it might cost more in materials, I'd be thrilled to pay the extra few dollars to be SURE that the tab won't collapse because I kept adjusting the angle. Remember those pop-top Coke can metal things? They break after a few twists, right? And this stand is, in fact, aluminum. TONS thicker (well, relatively), but if the shape and the material aren't too different than Coke cans, even 1/4th of an inch will eventually break. (And let's not even get into the whole "expanding" and "contracting" bit. I know, I know, it's not an all-weather thing, but a computer stand is literally/arguably the MOST important thing to protect your PC (apart from surge suppressor), aka this is the most important thing in my world at this moment. (For the goodly Surface hath not yet arrived. I'm sure that this "overprotective-gadget-parentness" will retract once it's here, but for now, I'm obsessed with creating the best home for it.)FINALLYWhile my suggestions are based on the not-sturdy/not-at-ALL-adjustable nature of the stand that arrived in my mailbox, I do believe they could make the next generation of this already-lovely stand even better.Speaking of which, the damages on mine are as follows (so potential buyers could know what might happen "in the right situation" (or "with the wrong activities"):Coating chipped and/or gouged in several places. Not a huge problem, BUT it appears that there may be rust underneath, or else the coating was covering dark metal, which is a def poss).Wrench doesn't turn all nuts/screws--maybe warped/"stripped," or maybe the latter were mis-shapen to begin with.Again, this is not reflected in my review/score/opinion of the COMPANY, as it's Amazon's fault for selling returns without checking to see if they're in sellable shape.So one last bottom line: If you're buying this for a LAPTOP, don't hesitate; it's a great item (even as-is) FOR THIS PURPOSE, and well-made by a great company who has priced it quite fairly. For a LAPTOP, I would give it five stars.If you want this as a Sometimes-Standing Desk, it would be fine also... for laptop.And even though it's rated as carrying 100 lbs (which I've no doubt it CAN), and recommended for 50 (if long-term, so that it won't weaken), I would NOT put even half that weight on this stand... if that weight is $$$ (TV, computer, Ming Vase, etc.).That said, I'd also be interested in a STEEL version of this, a FLOOR version of this, and definitely a hot pink or lime green version of this. (But maybe I can achieve that last one myself.)(Photos and updates to follow at a later date, btw.)
D**N
Simple to use, as advertised.
Just setting it up today, first impressions are very good, as described. Setting it up was very easy, only had to screw on 4 wing nuts. The mouse pad and paper pad easily slide into the 3 predetermined slots on either left or right side. I don't use a mouse, but seems as if it would be easy with the mouse pad, otherwise can place an external hard drive or other device. i wouldn't want to use the writing pad to take copious notes/write an essay on as there is a little flex/movement (more as you get to the edge), but for taking a few notes or using to read from it works great. On each pad, there is a way to adjust the angle via a wing nut (I imagine easiest to find an angle and just leave it). Make sure to adjust angle as necessary so that your hard-drive/mouse doesn't slide off. Typing on the laptop at a standing position is no a problem and quite comfortable (now need something to stand on). There was a small scratch on the Top Plate, fine aesthetically, I just worry about rust as I'm in a very humid & salty climate, may have to put a dab of paint or something to seal it. Overall very happy with first impressions. My father will be the one using it most, so will see how he likes it. On the Bottom Base there are 4 pads so that it doesn't slide around or scratch your table. Works in reverse for nicer angle on wrist when resting them on laptop.The pictures show. 1: The set up, raised position backside, 2: The scratch. 3: The set up, raised position front-side, 4: with laptop (HP Envy 15"), Support Tabs (the black pieces on lip) and spare nuts/bolts x6 with wrench (Assume spare, haven't used them or wrench) 5: The base pads 6: With laptop plugged in (the charge fits perfectly) and note pad (large paper clip came with item), 7: Using stand in reverse (also comfortable, just be wary of how heavy your screen is, etc), 8: Instructions pg 1 & 2, 9: Instructions pg. 3 (that's all there is)
F**V
Super sturdy stand if you want your laptop in one place (and not on your lap)
The media could not be loaded. I've been looking for a really sturdy adjustable stand to convert a table into a stand up desk. This one seemed much more sturdy then the ones with two articulating legs. It is in fact quite sturdy and a bit heavy. You won't be wanting to move this around much. And because it has a flat base, you're not going to be using it in bed as a lap desk. But that's OK by me, because I keep it in one place and at the perfect height and angle for me. it comes with two extensions, one for a pad of paper and one for a mouse. I am not using either of those, but did attach them to see how they were and they seemed sturdy.This stand does take some assembly but it's really easy. Basically just screwing the top to the legs with four wing nuts to screws that are built into it so they don't have to be held with a screwdriver. (see video)Adjusting the stand is pretty straight forward and unlike the two leg stands, you only have one adjustment to make, holding the arm from the center and inserting it into the slots that match the height and angle you want.One word of caution: DO NOT adjust the height with your laptop on the stand. You could damage your laptop because when yo adjust the weight of the stand can make it collapse a bit.
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