In the latest issue of Kevin Kelly's e-zine "Cool Tools," Tanneth Sliar has this to say about the $100 LapDawg:
This portable laptop desk is the most comfortable way I've found to use a laptop in bed. It's a bit pricey compared to the homemade stuff you can find online, but less expensive than similar products like the LapGenie and Laidback, which can go for up to $150. The LapDawg, which is lighter than the Laidback, is also made of wood, which makes it human friendly and gives it a warm touch. It's very simple to put together and fits my 17" notebook perfectly.The InsTand Laptop Stand is a great travel desk but can't do what the LapDawg does best: allow you to recline. Interacting with your laptop at a comfortable typing angle, right in front of you without feeling the weight and heat you would otherwise feel on your lap is very refreshing. The LapDawg is not the perfect travel solution, but if you have a big enough bag, it doesn't take up too much space and it weighs less than two pounds. Being able to lie flat on my back and use a laptop comfortably is worth making room.
Of course, it's not *just* for lazy slackers who can't be bothered to leave bed to play Warcraft — also looks like a device like this would be useful for people with disabilities, back injuries, or other conditions that limit mobility.
Update: Another blogger was *paid* to review the LapDawg — he didn't actually try the product himself, but gave the product's website a "D minus" grade. The "Cool Tools" contributor did try it IRL, liked it, and he was not paid to review it (as bloggers elsewhere apparently were). (Thanks, Paul Benjamin)
Reader comment: Daniel Descheneaux says,
New boing boing reader here, from Montreal, Canada.
I publish a weekly bulletin called "Tout va bien?"
("all goes well?", but it's idiomatic in French, like "how ya doin'?")
You can check it out here: (Link). Last November, I posted an entry ( Link )
or with Google translation, which only makes me sound a little retarded (Link) on a Japanese product similar to the Lapdawg. I thought you'd be interested to see it. The store: Link.Thanks for the good articles!
