Allsop 29591 Cool Channel Notebook Platform
See it at Amazon.com for $14.13Average Customer Rating
(5.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First (5 out of 5)Best Laptop Stand I've Seen
I've been looking for a laptop stand for months and this is by far the best I've seen.
1. The size is perfect for my 13" MacBook and should work fine with most laptops up to those with a 15-inch screen. From remarks I've seen online, some larger/thicker laptops may slide past the lip at the bottom, which is only about 1/2 inch high.
2. Compact. Place a folded-up laptop in the channel on the bottom side and it takes up almost no added space when traveling. If your laptop is slightly smaller than the space available in your sleeve or carrying bag like mine is, this makes it a perfect fit. If it isn't, then you have no room for most stands anyway.
3. Added protection. Stored inside the bottom, the stand protects all but one side of a laptop with rigid plastic and two thin layers of padding. It's not enough by itself, but should work well in conjunction with other protection.
4. Marvelous in your lap. The size and feel of this is perfect for holding an otherwise too-warm laptop in your lap. The tilt is about right and the fabric surface prevents slipping better than slick plastic or metal. It's also padded just enough to be comfortable without becoming squishy when you type.
5. Works well on a desktop. That's the big plus of this stand, it works fine on a lap or on a desk. Of course, almost anything from a book to a bit of pipe foam will tilt a laptop to a more comfortable position on a desk, but the fabric surface and padding of this stand will help keep a laptop from sliding off a table.
6. Cooling. Although it'll certain keep an overly warm laptop from toasting your lap, my one doubt about this stand is the claim that it'll make a laptop run cooler. I'd like to see the data behind that. My suspicion is that it's more like insulation than a heat sink underneath and that the cool channel of the name, taken from some small channels in the top surface, doesn't do much. On the other hand, because there is air space underneath, it will cool better than something like a pillow. Also, most laptops cool through vents in the back, so the tilting this provides should help.
7. Lightweight, no metal, and no folding. There are stands made out of metal that weigh more and require folding and unfolding, as well as the potential to scratch a laptop. Personally, I prefer this approach--molded plastic covered with foam and fabric. That also makes it easier to get through the x-rays at airports.
--Michael W. Perry, author of Untangling Tolkien: A Chronology and Commentary for The Lord of the Rings
(5 out of 5)Cool Way to Keep a Laptop Cool
I've had my ALLSOP Cool Channel Notebook Platform for 5 months and am very pleased. It can be used 3 ways.
1) Where the laptop tilts forward or
2) tilts back
3) plus, you can tuck your laptop into it for convenient transporting which also affords some protection to the laptop - a tight but springy band (like a bungy cord) is attached to hold the laptop firmly inside but could also be used for holding the electrical cord or a spiral notebook underneath while in use.
While my laptop is running, it no longer becomes hot - this product which feels rigid and is covered in mesh-y cloth allows my laptop to vent so that the bottom no longer gets hot and even the air coming out feels much cooler. (My 2006 Toshiba laptop vents to the side and measures 10-1/2" by 14" - it overhangs by just 1/2" on each side and 1" at back which is no problem.)
Before using this product I had concerns that my laptop was becoming overheated and it was uncomfortable to hold on my lap for very long because it felt so hot. I believe this product may extend the life of my laptop - perhaps prevent damage from overheating.
The ALLSOP Cool Channel Notebook Platform weighs practically nothing and is very comfortable on my lap, is well made and appears that it would last for a long time without wearing out. The lip is perfect for holding the laptop in place - there is no sliding.
(5 out of 5)Allsop Notebook Platform - small and effective
I received this as a Christmas gift this past Dec (2007) and use it all the time. I travel frequently for work, and fell in love with the "lap desk" type of laptop holders that Hampton Inn has in their rooms. That was more in line line with what I was wanting, but since I have been using this, I am very happy with it.
I use a 14"ish laptop at work and a 15" macbook at home, and have been very pleased with the way it keeps the heat dispersed when using either computer. I tend to have quite a few things running at once on the Mac, so it really has a tendency to get warm. That is when I pull out the Allsop, if I'm not already using it.
As some other folks have said, it is designed for a 13"-ish laptop, but the 15" macbook works perfectly well on it, overlapping just a tad on either side. It's of no real issue though, so don't let that keep you from purchasing it if your computer is in that range. With the large laptops, the "springy" cord on the underside defintely won't hold your laptop in place, but the unit will slide over it for easy storage in your bag.
I would recommend this especially if you are inclined to use the touchpad on your comp versus a mouse. The only potential drawback is that the platform isn't large enough to support an external mouse if you primarily use one. For an inexpensive and quality stand, I definitely recommend this!
(3 out of 5)Not bad but not comfortable
Pros: light and thin, easily transportable. Cooling function seems to work just fine
Cons: Lip on the bottom to keep the laptop off your lap is uncomfortable-ish. The platform is lightly padded but the weight of the laptop still presses it into your thighs.
Also not big enough to rest entire laptop on. This seems to be for a smaller laptop than the one I have.
(5 out of 5)Excellent product, does the job!
Simple solution for laptop positioning and cooling. The fan models seem like major overkill. This is all you need unless your laptop is prone to burst into flame to begin with. If that's the case, maybe you're part of a battery recall.