Lap Desks

I have a 15" laptop and have used a number of lap desks over the years, and none have satisfied me. I don't really need a mouse pad space (trackpad) but it wouldn't hurt to have a mouse space available for gaming. I sit in a very large chair so using the armrests isn't an option. I'm just curious what experience you all have with various lap desks. Any particular favorites? I've seen shelves that you can slide over your chair, to glorified pieces of plywood, but what have you turned up?

Work on a laptop?

[tsa]

If you really want to work on a laptop, put it on a real desk and connect a screen and keyboard to it. Laptops are not ergonomical. They're only handy for when you're on the move.

Worthless without a cooling fan...

[dada21]

I've been using primarily laptops for about 2 years, and none of them are suited for desktop replacement, because of the massive heat generated. I've been through 3 laptops in 9 months that had physical failures due to heat. I started a site to rant on about the hinge crack on my HP dv9000 [notebookhingecrack.com] model, and have received a few hundred search hits in a month or two.

I replaced that unit with a higher end Gateway, and now that one is generating too much heat. My previous model, a Toshiba, had the same problem. My Lenova, same problem.

Now I am searching on a decent desktop unit. All my computer life I always built my own, but I'm tired of it. I just want a powerful system that works for me without hardware issues. Software I can deal with, but it does seem that none of the manufacturers have any idea how to build a long term solution (and by long term, I mean just 12-18 months of use).

I built a lap-desk a year ago with cooling fans (not plywood, either), and it was functional, but still not perfect. I'd love to see Fellows or another ergonomically-inclined designer produce something useful, but I think the "art" and look-and-feel get in the way of making something truly functional.

My dream lap-desk? A Herman Miller designed desk for my Aeron chair. That would be just perfection, I believe.

I just got one...

[AceyMan]

I just got a Lapinator. It's ight, thin, and is actually designed to serve as a heat barrier. (It uses a trademarked 3M product). It comes in "standard" and "wide" and has an optional outboard mousing platform. A web search using your favorite engine should find their page right away.

I'm about to drive cross-country and I'll be using it with my Thinkpad T60 while my better half does the lion's share of the driving, so it will be getting a workout.

Re:Well...

[somersault]

I don't know, if he gets some power and lube wired into it, and other appropriate attachments, it could make his browsing and gaming experiences a lot more explosive

Re:Work on a laptop?

[sobolwolf]

Well I have been using one without the external keyboard/monitor for years and I have no problems.

Empty 3-ring binder

[jeberle]

Just use an empty 3-ring binder. It has excellent thermal insulation, it's lightweight & cheap.

Re:posture?

[Anonymous Coward]

What people don't realize is that 50% of the problem with posture is lack of exercise. You have people that never work a single muscle in their body and then sit a desk slumped over, shoulders rounded... If you actually work your back, shoulders and check properly and exercise like your body was meant to do, everyone wouldn't have the insane posture and back problems that they have these days...

It's not the desks, not the chairs, not the stress, not laptops... it's the fact that the vast majority of people never exercise or stretch their muscles. Since our bodies were meant to move and lift and work and all we do is sit down these days, it's no wonder.