[Macworld.com]

Three new aluminum stands let you use or stow your laptop at home. [more]

[heliocentric]

I've been an all-day computer user for fifteen years and I'm also an architect with a high sensitivity to ergonomic issues. I question the "correctness" of the elevated screen described in this article. Since I started using a laptop, flat on my desk, five years ago, the neck issues that used to plague me have melted away and I'd never go back. I suspect there's an element of personal physiognomy in this issue, but I think it's also a question of habit: it may just feel strange at first like using an unfamiliar mouse.

[Moofo]

Using your laptop with the lid closed is not very smart IMHO. I've seen dozens of wallstreets with the screen "washed out" by the heat.
Isn't that not recommended by Apple ?

[Dan Frakes]

Quote:

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I've been an all-day computer user for fifteen years and I'm also an architect with a high sensitivity to ergonomic issues. I question the "correctness" of the elevated screen described in this article. Since I started using a laptop, flat on my desk, five years ago, the neck issues that used to plague me have melted away and I'd never go back. I suspect there's an element of personal physiognomy in this issue, but I think it's also a question of habit: it may just feel strange at first like using an unfamiliar mouse.

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Perhaps the previous setup had elements that were even worse, or perhaps your posture in the previous setup was worse? The idea that a raised screen with a separate keyboard at an optimal typing height is better, ergonomically, than using a laptop by itself on a desk is almost universally accepted in the medical field.

[Dan Frakes]

Quote:

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Using your laptop with the lid closed is not very smart IMHO. I've seen dozens of wallstreets with the screen "washed out" by the heat.
Isn't that not recommended by Apple ?

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That was the case with older laptops, but all of Apple's recent models are designed to allow such use.

[I_am_moving_out]

Some of them are very nice but...
I've been a user of a venerable PowerBook 17" as a main computer for the last 3 1/2 years and I wonder whether I am the only one concerned with loosing the ability to use the optical drive with any of those stands...
In my opinion, if I have to stand up, lift the PB, insert/eject the disc and drop it again in place, every single time I want to burn a DVD, the ergonomy goes out of the window. And remember, those 17" beasts are not exactly known for being lightweight.
Also, knowing how hot it can become, I'd never run it with the lid closed.

[Dan Frakes]

Quote:

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I've been a user of a venerable PowerBook 17" as a main computer for the last 3 1/2 years and I wonder whether I am the only one concerned with loosing the ability to use the optical drive with any of those stands...

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As noted in the article, all allow the use of the optical drive.

[I_am_moving_out]

Quote:

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As noted in the article, all allow the use of the optical drive.

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I beg to differ, Dan. At least, partially.
While the Rain Design mStand and the Griffins Elevator allow perfect acces to the drive, I can't see how the Power Supports Docking Stand or the Balmuda Design Floater would allow me to use it. Remember that the PowerBook's optical drive is in the front of the unit, unlike in the some modern MacBooks who has it on the lateral. Yes, you can put them with the Apple logo properly facing up but the you have the ventilation slots on the bottom, radiating a hell of burning air (pun non intended) directly to the LCD... not good in my book.
Of course, you could compromise the stability and put them "vertically", resting on one side... and kiss goodbye the Firewire 400 & 800, DVI, video-out, Ethernet and one USB port... unless you carve a series of holes on your desk! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif (At least, by the power adapter plug, you still have the modem port, quite useful nowadays that I'm connecting with a 50 Mb/12 Mb DSL!) /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
All in all, I guess I should go with the times and buy a MacBook Pro but, why do it if the PB behaves sooo smothly? On the other hand, I just succeed to convince my wife that SHE needs to upgrade her current computer to an iMac 24" for surfing the net and checking the mail!!! Shame on me. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[fellersmtc]

This article doesn't address how you actually wake up the computer once you've closed the lid. Apple Support suggests that you need to use a Bluetooth device in order to do this, by enabling 'Wake using Bluetooth' in the control panel. Another option is to use a program that keeps the computer on with the lid closed, but this requires that the screen be on.
Is there another way to wake the computer without either of these less than ideal solutions?

[dpritchard]

The device doesn't have to be Bluetooth to wake the machine. Any ordinary USB device (either Keyboard or mouse) or a "traditional" (RF) wireless device will work fine.

[donpnor]

I use my macbook unibody 13" at a desk with an external monitor, keyboard and mouse every day.

I've found that leaving the lid closed I can connect my monitor (DVI adapter) first, then my USB hub (keyboard, mouse, external drive) when the drive connects, it wakes up my system on my external monitor and I can work from there without ever needing to open the lid. Doesn't work the same if the drive engages before the display adapter...

At the end of the day i eject my drive, unplug the hub and monitor display, and my macbook falls back to sleep. You might try that.