Laidback we “R”
A gentleman from Canada sent me an e-mail wanting to know if I would review a notebook accessory his company manufactures.
Being anal retentive, I thought “oh, goodie, a new toy, and I get to play for free”. Sooo, I replied to his e-mail that I would be pleased to play with his product.
After a suitable interval for the UPS Mule to stroll down from Canada, a flat package arrived. Opening the box revealed a bewildering array of sticks and a flat wood product panel, about the size of an open telephone book. A thin telephone book. Actual measurements are 10" x 16" x 3/8".
Following the colored dots, I easily assembled the
bed tray (that’s what it turned out to be). The dots make assembly quite easy,
especially for a fellow like me, who has several large boxes full of unopened
manuals for hardware and software.
It was only after this exercise in "join the dots" that I decided to
RTFM (Read The Fine Manual), which revealed that I should just follow the
bouncing ball and connect the dots!
On my next opportunity for bed time computing, I took the laid back we “R” tray and set it up in bed. Then I placed my ThinkPad 770Z on it and opened it up to write this review.
Much to my surprise (and delight), this thing actually works and quite well, at that.! Once adjusted for ones physical size and comfort, this thing supports a notebook computer at a comfortable angle and height for easy use. And it also frees one from the need to prop the ThinkPad on your knees.
All is NOT perfect, however. One suggestion is to add
a soft material to the ledge at the bottom edge of the tray, so as to protect
the finish of the front of the notebook computer. I stuck on two little rubber
feet which work very well, and also add some resistance to any possibility of
the ThinkPad sliding off to either side.
Another negative is storage. When its opened and set up for use, it's like a New
York Taxicab going down the street with all four doors wide open. Unwieldy is
the word. The solution is to fold the bottom support legs so the whole thing is
flat, then slide it under your bed.
The WIFE FACTOR: Since I’m married to a red head, there IS some danger when the wife wants to sleep and I want to work. (Note: This is the same woman who, when shes reading, will fall asleep with bright lights in her face, but when I'm reading or computing, will complain about the glow of the IBM's beautiful display). After several veiled threats (and some NOT so veiled) she relented and agreed to allow me to finish my little project. For other married folk, I suggest easing into using a computer in bed. OR, perhaps get two or three of these things. One for her, and one for you and a third for use in the den or another spot in the house.
In short, these things work very well. They work SO WELL, in fact, I'm going to pay real money for another one for, you'll never guess who.. the wifeperson..!
In this hastily taken picture, you can see the side of the laidback device.
What is really not so apparent is the tray that the ThinkPad sits on.
It measures 10" x 16" and, like the ThinkPad, is finished in black.
Thus, you can not distinguish between the ThinkPad and the Laidback We
"R".
http://www.laptop-laidback.com and for more info, go to (you guessed it <g>)
their E-Mail address is info@laptop-laidback.com
Bill Morrow
sorry for the hasty construction of this review page. I'll post a picture of this device ASAP and a web site for those who might want one.