Laptop Desks for Comfort and Cooling

Laptops and netbooks are becoming more and more popular. They are convenient to use and increasingly powerful. Combine increased convenience and power with ever decreasing prices and it’s no wonder more homes have one. Whether you’ve got a cheap netbook already or a top of the range laptop there is one accessory you’ll probably need and that’s a desk, stand or cooling pad.

There are at least three great reasons to get a laptop desk.

1. You want to be able to sit the laptop comfortably on your lap.
2. You want a good angle for using your laptop on a table or desk.
3. You want to keep the device cool enough that the fan doesn’t keep starting up.

Laptop desks range from simple mat designs or padded cushion trays to moulded devices with fans inside them. They also range in price but for the most part they won’t cost you much and the added comfort makes them well worth getting. Let’s have a quick look at some of the best options.

Logitech are masters of accessories and they have a range of laptop desk products too. This one is cheap, comfortable and it looks attractive. The air mesh fabric cushion helps to absorb the heat and makes it comfortable to sit the device on your lap. The angled section allows the screen and keyboard to sit at the right angle to avoid muscle strain. The only drawback is that it doesn’t really cool the laptop in the same way some other examples can. You can order one of these for under $40 at Amazon.

This comes in a variety of sizes for different laptop devices. It is constructed from lightweight aluminium and has a cushion on the bottom of the swivel base. It is actually designed for use on a table or on your lap and the base can easily adjust to any angle. It will raise the screen and tilt the keyboard to reduce strain on your neck, shoulders and wrists. It will also keep the heat from seeping through into your lap and allows airflow in underneath the device. The 13 inch variety costs just under $50 at Amazon.

This is a cooling pad which sits under your laptop and includes a cooling fan. It draws power from your laptop via a USB connection. It also has an ergonomic design so it elevates the laptop slightly and angles it for more comfort. You can also use it on your lap though it isn’t as comfortable as some of the other devices on this list. The other problem is that the fan is a little noisy. It only costs $20.95 on Amazon right now which is very cheap but if you want a cooling pad check out the next entry.

At just under $30 this is one of the cheapest options and it has a built in fan which helps to keep the laptop cool. The pad sits on your lap or desk beneath your laptop and plugs into a USB port where it draws power for the large fan. The operation is quiet and it doesn’t use much power but it is not especially powerful either. It sucks air in the back and pushes it up and out under the laptop and it features an attractive ergonomic design available in various colours. For $29.99 with a special $10 rebate offer at Amazon this is a great value option.