Futura Laptop Desk & Desk Stand Score: 80% Developer: LapWorks, Inc. Device Type: Accessory

Function: The Futura Laptop Desk & Desk Stand is designed to give you a more stable and productive work environment when using your laptop. It has two forms (for lack of a better term), one that rests across your lap providing a wide, even surface to place your computer on without having it heat up your legs, and the other is a stand to be placed on a desk or table designed to angle the laptop in a more ergonomic position. Both setups allow plenty of air flow both below and around the computer to keep it cool and running efficiently. The Laptop Desk form works pretty well. When laid across my legs, I felt nowhere near the amount of heat buildup that I normally do, and I also noticed the weight of the laptop to be spread out a bit more evenly (which is good considering my laptop isn't even in the realm of "lightweight"). The hinge in the middle not only allows for the stand to be folded in half for easy storage and travel, but with the help of a stopper on one of the halves, can be used to lock the stand at an angle. This, along with the rubber pads on the Laptop Desk & Stand, keeps the laptop at a nice angle without having it slide down.

Performance: For the most part, the Futura Laptop Desk & Desk Stand does exactly what it was designed to do. When opened wide and across my lap, I felt like the laptop was more secure and stable, especially since the alternatives involve either sitting cross-legged or having it resting on my thighs where lots of heat will build up. Over the course of the test period, I had the stand with my laptop on it on a precarious TV Tray, coffee table, bar counter and various other surfaces for extended periods of time. The weight of the laptop (a whopping 9 lbs) didn't seem to cause any stress fractures or problems with the device, and with the exception of some of the steeper settings, I typically felt comfortable leaving it on the stand when I wasn't around.

Features: Lightweight and compact size Folds up for easy storage Keeps notebook heat off yout lap Rubberized surface keeps notebook from sliding Works on desktops too

Drawbacks & Problems:: The only real worry I had over the Futura Laptop Desk & Desk Stand was when it was sitting at an angle in "Desk Stand" mode, and that was really only in regards to balance and stability. Granted, I have a pretty wide laptop, and because it is significantly wider than the Futura itself, I had to be sure it was as centered as possible before trusting it out of my sight. But once I got it settled, even the most rigorous of typing didn't make it shake all that much. It seems that many of the potential problems I saw in this product were either unfounded or wouldn't come into play for smaller laptops. All-in-all, the Laptop Desk & Desk Stand seems to be a pretty good investment, especially if you find yourself in airports a lot since, if you are like me, it seems to be damn-near impossible to have your laptop running actually on your lap for any extended period of time. As I said earlier, the smaller laptops will feel more secure on the Desk Stand setup, but even my 15.7" wide machine was secure once I got it just right. Editor's Note: Lapworks has stated that the best practice for insuring stability when the Laptop Desk is in the "Desk Stand" position, is to have the laptop as low as possible and touching the desk.

-J.R. Nip, GameVortex Communications AKA Chris Meyer

Minimum System Requirements: Any laptop   Test System: Alienware Aurora m9700 laptop, Width: 15.7'', Length: 11.7'', Height 1.9'', Weight 9lbs