What happens if you want a laptop but with a desktop feel?

You buy a laptop stand and a keyboard, that’s what!

Why would you ever want a laptop to feel like a desktop?

• Screen is raised to a comfortable height so your eyes look forward not down
• Stops the laptop from overheating (allows air to circulate at the back of the base)
• Able to use a full-sized keyboard with it rather than using the cramped keys

Why don’t you just buy a desktop?

It’s too big and heavy to travel with: console, keyboard, mouse & monitor!

This laptop stand & keyboard combination for my laptop, means everything is truly portable.

I can also use it with any laptop, if the client lends me on, or if I decide I want to work on another one.

What I purchased:

• Logitech Alto Laptop Stand
• Logitech Illuminated WIRED USB Keyboard

LOGITECH ALTO LAPTOP STAND

(comes with a wireless keyboard)

Price originally asked: $150 CAD at Future Shop

Price I paid: $49.99 CAD at Canada Computers (almost all sold out)

Price BF paid: ~$80 at Staples before they discontinued it (yes, we own the same things)

This is what it looks like when it’s all propped up and ready to go.

You have to push a latch to pull up the panel and then snap it in.

I don’t use the USB ports or any fancy controls on the laptop stand. I just wanted the stand.

I also scrapped the keyboard because wireless keyboards:

• make me annoyed with their slow response time
• take AA or AAA batteries, which takes almost no time at all to be used up
• take up a USB port anyway
• may die without warning, and leave you with a dead keyboard if you forgot extra batteries

Here’s the side shot of your laptop being propped up.

It may seem odd to have a screen so high, but if you put your laptop on the table, and then sit up straight against your chair, you will see that your eyes don’t go forward, but look down at the screen.

This causes involuntary hunching and slouching to see the screen.

Verdict: I love this laptop stand! 5/5

I wouldn’t suggest you pay more than $50 – $60 for this laptop stand, and if you can get it for that price, jump on it. Even $80 may be worth it to you.

I can already feel myself sitting up straighter as a result.

LOGITECH ILLUMINATED WIRED USB KEYBOARD

Price originally asked: $99 CAD at Future Shop (Web Only)

Price paid: $86.99 CAD at Canada Computers

It’s a bit more expensive than a standard $20 keyboard, but I was looking for:

• Portability (slim and sleek so it can fit into my carry-on when I travel to a client)
• Fast-response keys
• Nothing fancy (no gaming keyboards or strange controls I don’t use)

Why did you buy a wired keyboard? The stand came with a wireless keyboard already!

Not a fan.

As I’ve said above, wireless keyboards…

• make me annoyed with their slow response time
• take AA or AAA batteries, which takes almost no time at all to be used up
• take up a USB port anyway
• may die without warning, and leave you with a dead keyboard if you forgot extra batteries

5 Key Features about the Keyboard:

1. Illuminated keys with adjustable light settings! Once you use it, you’re a fan for life
2. Ultra slim, sleek design — very portable and easy to carry or travel with
3. Keys are spaced out nicely — number pad available, controls at the top
4. Has a palm rest — It’s a grippy one, so your palms can rest comfortably to type
5. Very fast response time on the keys — I am not struggling with them

Compared to the Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Monster for around $70 CAD:

I also bought this keyboard and tried it out, but hated it with a passion.

I originally wanted it because it felt more curved to my hands and typing style, and it seemed pretty good & got a lot of great reviews.

The keys were so slow it was painful.

I felt like my pinky and thumb were getting the workout of their lives (I hit the shift button and the space bar a lot).

The response time was AWFUL. I was typing at half my normal speed, and struggling to go faster.

Verdict: Love this Logitech Illuminated keyboard! 5/5

Logitech, you make gooooood accessories. 🙂

It is all it promised and more.

I wouldn’t say I am typing faster on here than I am on my laptop keyboard, but I am typing just as fast, I’d say.