The big bulky laptop stands of yesteryear have gone the way of the dinosaur. Forget about fans, large plastic shells, or sometimes gimmicky USB connections. Laptop stands need to be simple and portable, rethinking what we traditionally think of as once shelf-worthy home and messenger-bag solutions. You should not be compromised by the tools you carry, and if you ask AViiQ, the solution needs to be lightweight and reconfigurable.
It’s not nearly as light as a feather (it’s 5.5 ounces), but the AViiQ Portable Laptop Stand comes very close as it shaves down traditional laptop stands into a thin, foldable package. Its origami inspired design reveals a thin sheet of Hylite (a fancy aluminum) that’s super strong and can carry the weight of today’s aluminum milled laptops. I’m not certain about what material is used between the aluminum strips, but it feels like a strong, flexible vinyl or plastic material that hasn’t shown any signs of wear during my intense two-week review. Looks are certainly deceiving: it’s an incredibly strong stand that does not give when unfolded unto a flat desk. Worried about it flexing or coming undone? Using my hand, I pushed down on the stand to see if it would break – the solid design of AViiQ’s stand will not collapse under the weight of your precious laptop when locked in place.
I tested AViiQ’s showcase product with a 13” MacBook of the 2008 era, when polycarbonate was in style and I just missed the boat on Apple’s aluminum update. I digress, I assume this stand would be perfect for any 13” or 15” MacBook Pro owner, though I don’t know if the size (not the weight) of the 17” MacBook Pro would be an issue. The typing angle is comfortable, and you can inversely use the product when standing so the incline is at reverse fifteen degrees. It doesn’t solve any neck problems as the monitor still isn’t at eye level, but my wrists certainly felt a lot better when I was typing while standing. Sitting, the laptop is propped up, and elevates the Macbook to a comfortable typing angle while putting the monitor at a more appropriate eyeball level.
A total of six rubber feet accompany the product, two of which are used for both your laptop and the desk. Yes. Six. That doesn’t include the two additional feet you get in the box, just in case a freak of nature happens to wear or ruin the stand’s current installment. Weighted or unweighted, the portable stand does not slip and slide on your table. I’m never worried about my laptop sliding off once positioned on the stand – the feet secure it in place, nor do the feet show any risk of bending.
Included with the stand is a very soft sleeve that keeps the stand from unfolding or from rubbing against contents in your bag or backpack. The microfiber sleeve was a nice added touch and secures the laptop stand via a drawstring.
The truley amazing thing about AViiQ’s Portable Laptop Stand is the packaging it comes in. Forget the engineering put into the stand (I jest), it’s packaged like how Apple or Wacom would package one of their products: it’s done beautifully and elegantly. I won’t ruin the surprise, but good packaging is an excellent indicator that the company pays attention to detail.
I think you’d be crazy if you didn’t at least give AViiQ’s Laptop Stand a shot: it’s got a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied, but I think anyone who wants a convenient solution would be blown away by how well this product works. It’s simple, it’s lightweight, and I continue to put it through it’s paces around the office and on campus. When someone asks you where they can get a stand like yours, you can point them to www.aviiq.com where they can buy their own for $79.95.
