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Taking your MacBook to bed

M

Magritte

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 14, 2007
91
0
Los Angeles, CA
Ooo baby...

Now seriously. To paraphrase, "Love your MacBook...but don't LOVE your MacBook."

I know this is a weird question but what do you use as a surface for your laptop if you're using it in bed? I have a breakfast tray right now that is serviceable but kind of ergonomically problematic. Does anyone have any good solutions for this?

(To stave off any unfortunate responses, I'm partly disabled and at times have a need to use the computer in bed rather than at a desk.)
 
I use a Lapdesk. I got one from Barnes and Nobles for about $20. It is like a bean bag on the bottom and desk on top. It even has some room left over for my mouse....:D
 
Man... my wife got me a great one for when I had surgery last year. And I'll be damned if I can find it on the web. I'll look at it when I get home tonight and post the model. It's VERY lightweight, but really strong (aluminum). The only drawback is that it's slightly complicated to adjust and fold up for travel.
 
yaroldb said:
I use a Lapdesk. I got one from Barnes and Nobles for about $20. It is like a bean bag on the bottom and desk on top. It even has some room left over for my mouse....:D
Click to expand...
these are quite handy...

now i hope my wife allows me to have my MBP in bed... :D
 
I just rest it on the covers. It does get warm since the exhaust is being covered up slightly but unless you are going to be doing any intensive stuff then it shouldn't be a problem.

Ideally for comfort you'd want something like a tray - I'm interested to see what Yellow is referring to; could be useful.
 
Those LapDesks seem like what I'm looking for. The tray I'm using now has a "lip" around it (you know, the way trays do) so resting my wrists on it gets really uncomfortable.

That iLap is funky! But I should have specified that I need something with room for a mouse. I only use the trackpad when there's a gun to my head. :D

Thanks for the replies.

EDIT:

Kilamite said:
...unless you are going to be doing any intensive stuff then it shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...

Yeah, playing WoW among other things, hence the need for a tray of some kind (it gets HOT) and room for a mouse.
 
well i was wondering about the same thing >_<
sometimes my back is in a little pain and i rather use my laptop laying down on bed...using it on pillow or mattress isnt a good idea..the ilap is pricy...so anyway im getting an aluminium cooling pad that has 2 silent fans..do you think that putting it on bed or lap would be okay ?! :rolleyes:
 
Magritte said:
Those LapDesks seem like what I'm looking for. The tray I'm using now has a "lip" around it (you know, the way trays do) so resting my wrists on it gets really uncomfortable.
Click to expand...

Turn it upside down...?
 
I just use a really big book. Of course, my 12 in. Powerbook is a bit smaller than a Macbook, but as long as it elevates it from the blanket it will work fine. It doesn't have to cover the entire surface area.
 
The one I have I use with an MBP, so there's no room for a mouse, but ergonomically speaking, I just plug in a mouse and use my mousepad on a large, stable book on the bed. This is how I play all my PC games via BootCamp. Until my wife yells at me. :D
 
just buy a thin light weight shelf piece from your local diy shop.

get it the same depth as your mb and with 6 inches or so either side so resting on your knees works great! :) or use extra space for a mouse if you still need them - trackpad is all you need!

i got mine for about £2 = $4 dollars from ikea or b&q (oak veneer finish!). you can prob get one with no finish or untreated for less!!

you dont need any ott lapdesks or anything specifically designed for resting laptops on your lap! they are a rip off imho....

actually i have two shelves (other one is mahogany) - one for bedroom and one for the lounge - and they are perfect.

mahogany looks better with a black macbook and oak veneer with mbp :D
 
a1dipship said:
i got mine for about £2 = $4 dollars from ikea or b&q (oak veneer finish!). you can prob get one with no finish or untreated for less!!

you dont need any ott lapdesks or anything specifically designed for resting laptops on your lap! they are a rip off imho....
:D
Click to expand...
you bring up a good option, however, the lap desks have soft bottoms that fit nicely and conform to your lap. For $20, i don't think it's a ripoff.
 
those soft bottoms will make your legs & groin sweat!!! trust me, i know! ;)

if you want sweaty hot nether regions go for it!
 
coffee table is too good for an old pc

use all old pcs as voodoo dolls i say!! take a hammer to it daily!!

die microsoft die !!! :p

(and apple sort out the new mbp wifi and kernel problems!!!)
 
a1dipship said:
coffee table is too good for an old pc

use all old pcs as voodoo dolls i say!! take a hammer to it daily!!

die microsoft die !!! :p

(and apple sort out the new mbp wifi and kernel problems!!!)
Click to expand...

lol I actually gave it to one of my roommates to use. She hasn't kept her eyes of my MBP though...ahhhhh the temptation it brings!!:cool:
 
What I do (although I don't know if this will work for the OP) is raise my knees up and then hollow out the covers between my legs (god tis sounds weird). That way, the vents in the middle are left to the air.
 
A nice wooden tv stand from walmart.
Two small pillows (or large depending on the thickness of your thighs) firm.
Staple gun

Get that wooden tv stand and rip the legs off the bottom. Take your two small pillows and staple gun them to either side in an 0 fashion trying to get the sides of the pillow to the bottom of the frame.(stretch and squeeze)

Voilla a 12 dollar very nice custom made desktop for the bed.
Buy one without the lip, they have very nice solid wood ones for very cheap.
 
i think im going to patent my simple laptop rest ie. wood shelf and market it in different colours and give it some geeky stupid over blown name !!!! add 400% markup, ill be rich!!! rich i tell you!!! :rolleyes:
 
Kilamite said:
Why would you want a mousepad? The whole point in a trackpad is so you can use your laptop in a situation where a mouse isn't convienent. That mouse pad looking tiny!
Click to expand...

i agree! the trackpad is very easy to use..only in home you buy an external mouse for more convenient use :)..
 
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