Macbook Riser stands - any advise?

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi Guys,


I used my M1 13' MBA for the last 2 weekends stand alone, and I found the 'looking down' bit of a pain, after a while.
Long spells will be docked into the work desk upstairs, but casual weekend stuff, would be the MBA simply on the dinner table downstairs, sitting next to the missus doing her own thing.


Has anyone used solutions like the below Laptop Risers?
Be good to hear your thoughts.



This one looks more versatile, 2 heights and less to stick onto the laptop

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ringke-Portable-Foldable-Adjustable-Ergonomic/dp/B083VT6P7W

This one looks cool, if it works ok!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ringke-Ant...KF8QGW7/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B07KF8QGW7&psc=1

Hope you can advise.

Martin

 

[usagora]

Will you be using an external keyboard and mouse/trackpad with it? If not, then you'll definitely need something like the one you pictured so you can use the built-in keyboard and trackpad comfortably. If you ARE using an external keyboard, etc., then you might also consider getting one like this:

brocoon Adjustable MacBook Stand for Desk, Ergonomic Aluminum Laptop Riser with Heat-Vent, Compatible for 10-17" Laptops

brocoon Adjustable MacBook Stand for Desk, Ergonomic Aluminum Laptop Riser with Heat-Vent, Compatible for 10-17" Laptops

www.amazon.com

 

[HiVolt]

Or you can just wedge a book under it.

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Or you can just wedge a book under it.

Hi V,

I was thinking that, but then I saw these on Amazon. Only about £10 each… I imagine that’s how on Amazon that’s the way they put you in!

They arrive soon, and I’ll give them both a go

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi all,



Been trying these 2 risers this weekend.
Nice idea - The screen is higher, less looking down so much, using the laptop as a standalone laptop.
Not working for me though, I'm sad to say - Both too high on their lowest height settings:


Reason why they do not feel that comfortable:
1. Shoulders aching - I cannot put weight down on the heels of the palms
2. Hands flicked up because of angle of keyboard




Other Things I am trying:

A) I'm currently trying an old keyboard wrist pad as the laptop riser instead!
1. Only thought of this once started using these risers
2. Much lower angle compared to the risers.
3. Does not slip around - the wrist pad has anti slip on it etc.


B) Other ergonomic tips trying
1. When typing out text - have the input box at top of the screen as much as possible - less looking down!
2. Some of arm weight put onto the edge of table, on the fore arms.. - not sure if this is best practice, but wrists at less of an angle now.


Will carry on experimenting!

Best wishes
Martin

Edit:
Spelling corrections!

 

[Marty_Macfly]

End of day summary:

On reflection:


I looked at my proper workdesk set up:
1. My mechanical external keyboard is on its flattest setting
2. Using wrist wrests - So overall the angle of the keyboard is pretty flat
3. I set up the keyboard this way, as I found touch-typing a lot easier with a flatter keyboard.



Looking at the 13" M1 MBA keyboard:
1. The laptop is a work of art
2. There is a very slight wedge shape so the keyboard angle is ever so slightly rising
3. I recall now, going on holiday this year, and using the MBA keyboard a lot - and thinking - great keyboard! The angle was one of the reasons why.



By the end of my time today, using the old wrist wrest pad as the riser prop:
I was getting use to the greater angle up of the keyboard.
Not the best set up though.



For stand alone use:
Same angle keyboard, but on a much bigger laptop - so not look down so much - would be awesome!
16" MBA anyone? A different conversation thread today!



Best wishes
Martin

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi All,

The potential answer was literally staring me in the face!

My other half is using an old monitor on the same dinner table, for her working from home during the working week.

I just need a cable from the MBA's usb-c port, to a VGA port!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thunderbolt-Compatible-MacBook-Samsung-Pixelbook-1-PACK/dp/B082R5W86P

I've ordered this £12 cable from amazon. Will see if that works.

Sure, not state of the art monitor tech - but will work wonders for the ergonomics

Much better than splashing out on a 16" MBP for the kind of stuff I would be using it for!


Best wishes
Martin

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi All,

The potential answer was literally staring me in the face!

My other half is using an old monitor on the same dinner table, for her working from home during the working week.

I just need a cable from the MBA's usb-c port, to a VGA port!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thunderbolt-Compatible-MacBook-Samsung-Pixelbook-1-PACK/dp/B082R5W86P


View attachment 1830397


I've ordered this £12 cable from amazon. Will see if that works.

Sure, not state of the art monitor tech - but will work wonders for the ergonomics

Much better than splashing out on a 16" MBP for the kind of stuff I would be using it for!


Best wishes
Martin

Hi All,


I just tried the cable - it works! 🤗

I wish I bought the longer lead though 🤔

OK. 16” macbook purchase on hold. Phew….


Best wishes
Martin

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi All,



Tried the cable to the old monitor for a while over the weekend.

The monitor screen is not great. Poor resolution and 'wavy' pixelization?! Not sure how to describe it.

Kept looking down at the mba screen and thinking - gosh that's a fab screen!

In the end went back to looking down at the laptop, with a keyboard wrist wrest propping it up from the back.

Not long sessions, made a point of getting up regularly etc.




Regards
Martin

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi All,

This is getting to be my personal diary on setting up my 13" MBA ergonomically on our dining room table! 😁


RE: Old monitor with VGA lead
ok, I tried my other half's uber old work monitor again one last time, using the VGA lead. it was still awful after making adjustments. Sanity checked with the missus and she said it was bad as well.

The text on the screen was fuzzy, no matter how adjusted. Looking on the internet, VGA connection can be not the sharpest. ok well, I gave it a good try.

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi all,

ok onto the next things to try!

I saw the below riser on a you tube video, on something else completely.

ivoler Laptop Stand, Adjustable Multi-Angle Foldable Laptop Stand​

So I bought one of these things - £13 what the heck with a go.
Its ok, get what you pay for

I tried it with a usb-a keyboard - works ok - we have a way forward!
only addition was to stick 2 thick books under the stand to raise the screen height to a better height for me

 

[Marty_Macfly]

next:

Research on best space efficient keyboard and mouse.


Ended up ordering and getting today:
Magic keyboard
Magic trackpad

Early day yet - getting use to them now 😁