How to choose the best laptop stand?

In fact , buying a laptop stand can serve several purposes. First of all - providing additional cooling. With the introduction of powerful gaming laptops to the market, the issue of effective cooling is more relevant than ever. On the other hand, laptop air intakes are located on the bottom or side, so using them on soft surfaces is fraught with overheating even during normal work with office documents.

In addition, modern stands allow you to significantly increase the comfort of working at a computer due to the wide range of adjustment options for its position. In this article we will talk about the most interesting coasters on the market today.

Classic delivery or stand-table?

In general, all existing models can be divided into two main types - traditional laptop stands and folding table stands.

Many modern laptop stands are equipped with additional surface of a computer mouse

The classic stand is a special platform, thanks to which the laptop is a few centimeters above the surface. The most simple, convenient and popular solution that can significantly increase the comfort of work. After all, you probably know the feeling when, after a long work with a laptop on your knees, its bottom is practically “hot”? The ability to adjust the position of the laptop on the stand is minimal - some models allow you to change the angle, but no more.

A special stand-table is a more complex solution that can provide maximum comfort during work. So, thanks to this model, the user can comfortably lie on the bed and continue working without worrying about a stiff shoulder or that the blanket will close the exhaust of the cooling system and the laptop will overheat. Models in this category have the most extensive possibilities for adjusting the position of the laptop on the tabletop, and the more advanced ones are even equipped with a separate place for the mouse or a drawer.

The maximum height of the platform for some stands-tables can reach 1 meter, so they can completely replace the desktop as such. The advantages of such a solution are obvious: small size, high manoeuvrability, wide adjustment possibilities. It can serve as an excellent solution for arranging a secluded work area in the room.

USB hub, built-in speakers and lighting

Special attention when choosing a laptop stand deserves the section "Functions / Capabilities" in our selection, which is in the column on the side. Modern manufacturers in the struggle for the user equip devices with a number of very useful or simply interesting features.

Adjusting the angle of inclination or height of the location allows you to adjust the most comfortable position of the laptop, so that both your hands do not get tired and your back does not numb. The ability to adjust the height, for example, will allow you to comfortably sit at a low coffee table.

An additional USB hub is almost always a good solution, since modern laptops often lack USB ports. Connecting a stand with active cooling will take away one, a mouse - a second, a flash drive - a third, and it may turn out that there are no more free ports. At a minimum, even the simplest model with just one hub will return to the user the port that had to be sacrificed in order to connect it.

Built-in lighting is an interesting and attractive solution, but there is no practical need for it. It is the body of the stand that is illuminated, which provides a stylish glow around the laptop, but for typing or working at night, this will not help. Here it is better to pay attention to the fact that some table stands have a built-in lamp, such as, for example, this model.

Built-in speakers allow you to use the stand as an additional speaker system. Most likely, it will be the best for the built-in sound of a laptop, but we do not undertake to say by how much. In this matter, each decision must be considered separately. In any case, it is beyond its power to compete with high-quality external acoustics, but it is quite possible with classic desktop tweeters.

Pay attention to the number of coolers

Speaking of laptop stands, it is important to pay attention to the presence, number and location of coolers. Some users find it desirable to have their placement aligned with the laptop's cooling system openings, but this is perfect. Even if you do not manage to trace such a coincidence, the purchased stand will still provide more efficient heat dissipation than it was before.

When choosing, it is important to consider the size of the laptop: 15-inch stand may not be the best solution for 13- and 17-inch laptops

Models with passive cooling are designed solely to improve the comfort of working at a computer. But don't write them off right away. Not every laptop needs an additional active cooling system - for many, a flat surface “under their feet” is enough for the built-in system to work effectively. In this case, a stand without a cooler will be useful. Its main purpose is to provide a gap between the surface and the bottom cover of the laptop, and also to prevent the exhaust from being covered by the soft fabric of pants, blankets or other things.

Models with active cooling can be equipped with one, two or more coolers and need to be connected to a computer USB port to work. A must buy for laptops that get very hot, regardless of the cause of the heat, whether it's a high-performance processor, resource-demanding tasks or games, the age of the device, soft fabric of the carpet or bed. Note that three coolers do not always work more efficiently than one large one. Pay attention to the detailed description of each model - they indicate the diameters of the fans, the maximum rotation speed and the generated air flow.

As a rule, any stand provides a decrease in the temperature of the device by 5-10 ° C ; in some cases, manufacturers claim 15-17 ° C, but this already depends on the specific model. You should also keep in mind the fact that each additional cooler in the design provides additional noise during operation - with a large number of fans, resonant noise is created, which can be quite high.

Stand material

One of the main causes of laptop overheating is dust, that clogs the cooling system

Not only the heating rate depends on the material, but also the total weight of the device, and with it the mobility of the entire structure. As a rule, materials with good thermal conductivity are used in the manufacture - aluminium, plastic or metal.

Plastic is much lighter than metal components, which, of course, is a plus. But at the same time, he does not cope well with heat dissipation, heats up quickly and cannot boast of special strength - it is likely that one fall to the ground will be enough to collect the stand piece by piece after. But solutions made of plastic are the most affordable.

Metal models are more popular - excellent thermal conductivity, high strength, attractive appearance. But they cost more and weigh more. However, it all depends on the purpose for which the stand is purchased: if as a mobile solution for working on the road, plastic may be the best option.

As for models made of wood, they first of all look great. First of all, it is a stylish accessory that will look great on your desktop. The efficiency of heat dissipation and strength is slightly different from plastic, but this solution costs much more. Today, both tables for laptops and classic coasters are made of wood. Some models are equipped with an active cooling system.

Checklist: how to quickly choose a laptop stand?