As someone who frequently uses a laptop to get some work done, there are few things as annoying as having a laptop get too hot during use. I’ve had my fair share of light burns from laptops that get too hot, and even my Macbook Pro, which has been the best of the lot, still can get a little too warm after extended periods. Now I have also used cooling pads and other mini-desk accessories to alleviate this issue, but have also recently tried out the iLap Laptop Stand from Rain Design.
The iLap is designed in a way that matches the look of the Macbook pro and Powerbooks, as it’s made out of aluminum that has a sand-blasted and silver anodized finish. While at first glance, it may not seem like much, it’s after plenty of use that it really begins to shine. Coming in 12, 13, 14, 15, 15-widescreen and 17-widescreen inch flavors, the iLap is able to keep a laptop cool, as the aluminum material acts as a sort of heat sink which draws heat away from the laptop and then passes it off.
There is also a velvet wrist cushion that keeps your wrists comfortable, and is also replaceable in case it ever gets worn out. In addition, the wrist-rest acts as an additional cushion and stand for your knees, while a swivel on the rear side also has a cushion. The swivel adjusts to the angle of how you have your laptop placed, be it on your lap or on a table.
The odd thing is at first, I wasn’t really comfortable using it, especially when I needed to use the mousepad on my laptop, but after a few days, I got used to it and began to really feel the comfort that wasn’t there before. My only concern is that the aluminum could potentially scratch the bottom of my laptop, though Rain Design does include some pads that can attach to the bottom of any laptop to act as feet. The Macbook Pro however, has an odd curvature, such that the pads don’t attach well. Still, that’s more of an Apple issue than one with the stand. The only other issue I had with the iLap is that the swivel begins to squeak quickly, which can be a little annoying, but it’s nothing a little oil can’t fix.
The bottom line though is that the heat I was unwillingly accustomed to feeling from my Macbook Pro is now gone. My wrists are a lot more comfortable now and I don’t need to slouch when using the laptop on the couch. So for anyone still looking to resolve the same sorts of issues I had with discomfort and an overheating laptop, the iLap is great place to start. Pricing for the iLap ranges from $49.90 to $69.90, depending on size and can be purchased via Rain Design's official website .
Final Score: 4.7 out of 5
via Examiner National Edition Gadgets & Tech Channel Articles http://www.examiner.com/article/review-ilap-laptop-stand?cid=roadrunner