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When we talk about laptop or notebook stand, we often think of those bulky, heavy ones about the size of the laptop that not only cost a good chunk of money, but feels like a big chunk of metal or whatever. I once considered getting a laptop stand a few years ago until I lifted one up and found it heavier than my laptop. This is supposed to be a stand, not the entire laptop! Obviously, I wasn’t impressed and didn’t look much into it. I just want something that can elevate my laptop by a bit so that there’s better air flow and circulation under it so that the laptop doesn’t get too hot. So why do I need something that weighs more than the laptop itself? Considering that a lot of us will want to take it with us when traveling or going to meetings, if the laptop stand is bulkier and heavier than our laptop, why are we going to bother?

Well, here’s a solution: a portable and very pocketable notebook stand that is barely bigger than a computer mouse AND weighs only 3.8 ounces! What?!!! Yes, you read it right. 3.8 ounces and about the size of your computer mouse. Okay, it’s slightly thicker than the mouse at the thickest part, but it’s still an amazingly small size.

For those who want to skip over all the detailed review and just want a summary, you can jump to the review summary

The Pocket Notebook Stand is a notebook, or laptop stand which you place near the back of the laptop to elevate the laptop to enable better air flow and cirulation thus, allowing better cooling of the laptop and set the laptop at a slight angle that is ergonomic and prevents and lessens the impact of repetitive stress injuries caused by tasks done on a laptop. As well, with the laptop elevated and set at a slight angle, it also enhances better viewing and comfort for the eyes since the laptop monitor screen is now not only higher but with the laptop lifted up at an angle, may also provide a better viewing experience as the screen can be adjusted to compensate that may provide less glare. I’m one of those whose eyes are extremely sensitive to light and glare so for me, that’s extremely important since my eyes hurt only minutes after using or viewing a screen that is too bright or has too much glare.

The stand is very compact, at the size barely bigger than a computer mouse (4” x 2-5/8” x 1-3/8”) when compressed and yet can stretch to a maximum length of 9 inches to compensate for bigger laptops. I currently have a 17″ Dell Vostro laptop and it works very well, although in my video review, I was showing it with a 15″ Dell Inspiron 8100. At the top and bottom of the stand are rubbery type non-skid material that helps grip and keep both the laptop and the stand itself from moving or sliding around. The stand is composed of three segments which can be separated from each other to expand or extend into the maximum length of 9 inches. Depending on your preference and size of the laptop or device you’re using, you can adjust the length of the stand to compensate.

The stand is wedged near the back edge of your laptop computer to elevate the laptop computer. This serves many different benefits and functions. First, elevating the laptop rather than leave it flat on a table will allow for better air flow and circulation at the bottom of the laptop, where normally a lot of heat is generated. With the telescopic attachment design, extending it not only provide a better overall support of the laptop, but also improves better air flow and cirulation between the stand and the laptop. Second, the stand is designed to elevate the laptop at an angle which also improves and enhances ergonomics, providing a more natural or comfortable placement of the hands and arms, lessening the impact of repetitive stress injuries. Also with the presence of the stand which elevates and tilts the laptop at an angle, this can also improve the viewing of the laptop screen, with the screen a little higher and possibly providing a better angle of viewing, which may lessen the amount of glare you may normally experience if the laptop were placed flat on the table. Third, the placement of the stand can adjust the angle at which the laptop is raised which also translates to the angle of the monitor. To get a sharper angle, place the stand closer to the middle and alternatively, to get it at a flatter angle, place the stand at the back edge, even so far as to have the stand stick out a bit and only resting the laptop at just a part of the stand.

The pocket notebook stand comes with a very nice looking drawstring microfiber carrying pouch which also functions as a monitor screen cleaning cloth. How nice!

Here are more information (taken from Pocket Notebook Stand’s website):

The currently available portable notebook or laptop computer stands are constructed in the shape of a flat plane, usually in the length and width of a notebook/laptop, tilted or elevated to provide support for the device. However, they are cumbersome to use, transport and store. The Pocket Notebook Computer Stand on the other hand is a truly pocket size (weighs only 3.8 oz), portable device composed of several support units or stands linked together by telescopic rods or expandable arms which can be extended or contracted at various lengths to provide stable support for a notebook computer.

On the top and bottom planes of the stands are non-slip pads which grip the notebook’s base as well as the flat surface on which it sits. When the device is contracted, it takes up minimal space (in the size of a computer mouse) making it easy to carry around or store. The device can enhance the notebook computer’s ergonomics by tilting the keypad at various angles when wedged between the rear base of the notebook and the flat surface on which the notebook is resting, thus enhancing the user’s comfort during typing. Raising the base off a flat surface also promotes heat circulation and dissipation for the notebook computer.

There is nothing like this notebook stand on the market. It is innovative and compact in design and it is competitive priced at $16.99.

The packaged notebook stand also comes with a micro-fiber carrying pouch which can be used as a screen cleaner.

Features:

* Compact and sleek design
* Handy pocket-sized that weighs only 3.8 oz.
* Truly portable. Great for traveling or on-the-go
* Compressed to the size of a standard mouse: 4” x 2-5/8” x 1-3/8”
* Can be used fully or partially opened or closed
* Fully expandable to over 9 inches for rigid notebook computer support
* Provides sturdy notebook support with non-skid top and base
* Enhances notebook ergonomics and wrists’ comfort while typing
* Promotes air circulation and cooling of notebook computer
* Fits most notebook or laptop computers
* Adjustable to allow notebook computer to tilt at various angles
* Enables your notebook computer to be used on narrow airline trays and on student desks
* Includes a micro-fiber carrying pouch for easy and handy screen cleaning
* Great for home, business, or school use

Pictures of Pocket Notebook Stand

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Product Video

Video at YouTube

Alternative video link: Blip.tv

Here are my observations:

I am very impressed with the Pocket Notebook Stand and like it for a variety of reasons. First of all, it’s small, lightweight and very portable. Barely bigger than a computer mouse, I doubt too many people will complain about it taking up too much room or weight. I love the idea of being able to have it extend or expand laterally to compensate for a larger laptop or allow adjustment for smaller ones like the UMPC or even the Eee PC. And it works as claimed. The rubbery or non-skid surface at the bottom and top of the stand ensures that both the laptop resting on the stand, and the stand itself doesn’t move when placed on a flat surface like a table. In my experience with it, the stand does keep everything stationary.

I would, however, also like the stand to be able to expand even further outwards beyond the 9 inches it currently offers. Perhaps, adding an extra segment in the stand, so that there’s four instead of three to compensate for larger laptops? Of course, I do understand that this may make the stand less strong but I’d thought I’d add in this suggestion.

Along the same lines of the extension of the stand, I really like this idea of keeping the stand small in size when not in use, or for really small laptops and being able to extend or expand. This not only allows the larger laptops to be able to be supported, but also allows better air flow between the segments of the stand. I think of it as having the function without adding extra bulk, which is extremely important in this respect as more open space means better air flow which translates to a cooler laptop.

My main and only complaint about this stand is that it may not provide enough adjustment of the angle in which the laptop can rest on since the stand is set at a specific size and angle and you can only adjust the angle of your laptop by the placement of the stand. Perhaps Pocket Notebook Stand can offer different sizes with different angles for those who want a steeper angle stand? Or make some adjustments with it so that the angle and height can be adjusted? I think that a lot of people may be totally sufficient with what’s provided in this stand. By my crude and unscientific measurement or really, an estimation using the protractor, it seems that the angle of the stand is about 15 degrees give or a degree or two difference. So, if you are placing the stand at the edge of the laptop, you are elevating it by about 15 degrees and obviously more if you are placing it near the middle of the laptop.

A possible suggestion is strengthening the telescopic rods or attachments so that in addition to using the Pocket Notebook Stand as a table or flat surface stand that it can also work as a laptop stand, meaning placing it on my lap. As mentioned in my video review, I have tried using the Pocket Notebook Stand with my Inspiron 8100 and although it works fine with the stand resting on my knees, I am not recommending others to rely on it as a laptop stand since I don’t think the telescopic rods are meant for this and may break after repeated use. But, if stronger reinforcements were made with stronger materials, then it could really work as a true laptop stand that you can rest on your laptop. This idea could really take off as you can then have a portable laptop stand that doesn’t take up much room or weight and yet allows you to work on your computer anywhere you’re sitting. Even having the reinforcements like strips of sturdy metal that slides out at the bottom of the stand could work as the main idea is to keep the stand firmly intact when extended. Perhaps the people at Pocket Notebook Stand may consider making some changes to the model and make this into a laptop stand. I personally think that they have a great idea going here.

Review Summary

The Pocket Notebook Stand is a very portable, lightweight and versatile tool that I believe every laptop user should get. Not only is it small, lightweight and works as advertised, the very affordable price of $16.99 should not break your budget. The stand in its compact form is barely bigger than a computer mouse, weighing only 3.8 ounces and can extend to 9 inches in length, normally sufficient for even the largest laptops. It comes in a nice looking microfibre pouch that doubles as a laptop screen cleaning cloth. I have personally added this to my gadget bag of essential items I take with me everywhere. Why not you?

Check out Pocket Notebook Stand here.

Palm Discovery is not an affiliate of Pocket Notebook Stand but thank Chily for providing the product for this review.

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