A Thingie to Hold My Laptop......................................................................
I have found that the thinner and smaller a modern laptop gets, the less likely
it becomes that the machine will sit at a comfortable angle for long periods of
use. Some early laptop models came with a set of tiny legs that could be rotated
into position at the back of computer; over time these useful but breakable
little pieces have been taken away.One solution is the ErgoStand from Mobility Electronics, sold by iGo.com
and retailers. Similar stands are sold by other companies. ErgoStand is a few
ounces of plastic that can be placed to raise or lower the keyboard by about
5 degrees, depending in which direction you place it. In some situations I find
it valuable to raise the angle of the display when I am using it on an airplane’s
seatback tray table; in doing so the angle of the keyboard is lowered a bit,
which puts less strain on my hands. The larger rubber feet on the stand also
help prevent the laptop from sliding around on the tray.A second problem involves heat buildup from the high-speed microprocessor
within the case. If the laptop sits flush against a desktop or (even worse)
flush against a soft surface like a sofa or a blanket in a hotel room, the proper
cooling airflow may be blocked and the laptop’s built-in cooling fan will have
to work harder.Figure 22-1:
The flexible
Everywhere
Power 7500
from iGo
can attach
to a wall
outlet or an
airplane or
automobile
DC source
to power
almost any
electronic
device.Chapter 22: Ten of My Favorite Things 325