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Vertical Laptop Stand

S

shazammy

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 22, 2004
72
1
I've been searching for a vertical laptop stand for awhile now, since I use my MacBook Pro and my Dell Inspiron both in clamshell mode and connected to the same monitor. There were some pricy options out there ranging from $40 to $300, and then I found the perfect solution at the thrift store today for $1.50: a napkin holder.

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-4-In...?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1245370437&sr=8-23

I bought one very similar to the one pictured here, and will be sanding it down and painting it black. It works extremely well as a vertical stand, and I'm getting a second for the Dell. Forget overpriced stands and repurpose something!
 
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You must not like your Mac or Insurance company very much, the Dell is another story though :rolleyes: Oh yeah, don't forget the two sided tape for the bottom of it so it won't get bumped off your desk. Hate to see such an engineering masterpiece have a flaw…
 
Artful Dodger said:
You must not like your Mac or Insurance company very much, the Dell is another story though :rolleyes: Oh yeah, don't forget the two sided tape for the bottom of it so it won't get bumped off your desk. Hate to see such an engineering masterpiece have a flaw…
Click to expand...

Have you people ever looked at a wooden napkin holder? I mean, seriously? The thing offers just as much support as the $40 vertical laptop stand I saw from this company (in person):

http://www.powersupportusa.com/product/show/macbook-docking-stand

Plus the napkin holder has a wider base. If you want to spend a ton of money on something useless, go right ahead, but this thing solved all the vertical mounting problems I had, and then some, for pennies. It's made of solid wood, and ain't going nowhere. I also sanded it and painted it today, and it looks like it was made to be a laptop stand. Woot! Now I have $38.50 to take to a baseball game and spend on overpriced drinks and nachos.
 
There's no way I would stick my MBP in that thing.... different strokes though I guess.
 
Yes I have seen a wooden napkin holder in person, my gram and I'm sure a few other peoples grandparents have had these at some point. But the point being while I do like wood things the base is made different such as smaller footpad and the way the wood sides are held in, there are three pieces and not one or even two and how deep are they anchored in and by what, glue? Really have you tested one other than just sliding in a laptop? I'm all for saving money but doing it when it's not going to possibly cost me something far greater is all I'm getting at.
Not poking at you, just the unit itself since it was made for napkins which are far less smaller in size and weight and also cost a whole lot cheaper than any laptop.
 
Artful Dodger said:
Yes I have seen a wooden napkin holder in person, my gram and I'm sure a few other peoples grandparents have had these at some point. But the point being while I do like wood things the base is made different such as smaller footpad and the way the wood sides are held in, there are three pieces and not one or even two and how deep are they anchored in and by what, glue? Really have you tested one other than just sliding in a laptop? I'm all for saving money but doing it when it's not going to possibly cost me something far greater is all I'm getting at.
Not poking at you, just the unit itself since it was made for napkins which are far less smaller in size and weight and also cost a whole lot cheaper than any laptop.
Click to expand...

Well, the base of this holder, which the MBP rests on, is 8" wide. The MBP itself is 14" wide, so by placing it in the middle it's extremely sturdy. The side are 5" wide, very thick, and provide more than enough support. It's been doing just fine on my desk, and short of a fairly large earthquake in Los Angeles, it's not going anywhere. What more testing do I need to do? Shoot it with a shotgun? Roll a bowling ball at it?
 
shazammy said:
Well, the base of this holder, which the MBP rests on, is 8" wide. The MBP itself is 14" wide, so by placing it in the middle it's extremely sturdy. The side are 5" wide, very thick, and provide more than enough support. It's been doing just fine on my desk, and short of a fairly large earthquake in Los Angeles, it's not going anywhere. What more testing do I need to do? Shoot it with a shotgun? Roll a bowling ball at it?
Click to expand...

Well if it's the holder then yes but you may only get a single test run if you're a good shot but I can't agree to do the same with a MBP :p All I know is that some scanners had the old place me on my side holders just like you have shown here and even though they were made for such things, one bump to the desk and wham! Flat every time and a scanner is cheaper than a Mac that's all. I give you kudos for doing this it's just it didn't look/seem sturdy is all.
Give some pics when your all done and let's see a new utilitarian type laptop holder.
 
shazammy said:
Have you people ever looked at a wooden napkin holder? I mean, seriously? The thing offers just as much support as the $40 vertical laptop stand I saw from this company (in person):

http://www.powersupportusa.com/product/show/macbook-docking-stand

Plus the napkin holder has a wider base. If you want to spend a ton of money on something useless, go right ahead, but this thing solved all the vertical mounting problems I had, and then some, for pennies. It's made of solid wood, and ain't going nowhere. I also sanded it and painted it today, and it looks like it was made to be a laptop stand. Woot! Now I have $38.50 to take to a baseball game and spend on overpriced drinks and nachos.
Click to expand...

1.) Expensive vertical stands are not useless.

2.) Pics please!!! I'm curious to how it looks on a desk.
 
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/214l4ZxHMeL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
How about something like this?. You would need one a bit thicker, but I had two thoughts on it. Dremel out one side of two of them and they could be book ends. Perhaps for additional support for the napkin holder? Or you could just use one and put some wholes in it for some cable managemeent. I'm gonna start looking for holders and ill post pics if I make anything.
Also you can by adhesive grip pads which could be put under the stand for friction on the desk. Or inside the napkin older for friction on the computer itself. Or both!
Just some thoughts.
 
haha well i would make myself something thats for damn sure!!!

DSC_0299.jpg


lol or use my snow board rack =D

DSC_0295.jpg
 
shazammy said:
I've been searching for a vertical laptop stand for awhile now, since I use my MacBook Pro and my Dell Inspiron both in clamshell mode and connected to the same monitor. There were some pricy options out there ranging from $40 to $300, and then I found the perfect solution at the thrift store today for $1.50: a napkin holder.

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-4-In...?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1245370437&sr=8-23

I bought one very similar to the one pictured here, and will be sanding it down and painting it black. It works extremely well as a vertical stand, and I'm getting a second for the Dell. Forget overpriced stands and repurpose something!
Click to expand...

Throw some foam padding on the wood and you're good to go.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
h1r0ll3r said:
TopHatPlus said:
haha well i would make myself something thats for damn sure!!!QUOTE]

how's the hot iron work for you? mine was a little iffy and kept burning up the wax.
Click to expand...

haha it works good, are you having issues melting the stick or the shavings? i had some issues with the shavings for a while, its just TO HOT, lower the temp a bit and you should have no issues.

what temp do you run it at? i do not every go past mid
Click to expand...
 
TopHatPlus said:
h1r0ll3r said:
haha it works good, are you having issues melting the stick or the shavings? i had some issues with the shavings for a while, its just TO HOT, lower the temp a bit and you should have no issues.

what temp do you run it at? i do not every go past mid
Click to expand...

Originally started melting the stick but the shavings (although a little dicey at first) turned out fine for me. I had mine on medium and it was searing hot for some reason. Think it might be a dud but just needed to make sure. Thanks. :)
Click to expand...
 
Alright well I aborted my plans to use a paper towel holder. I instead found this old book case with sliding book ends which works great.
Yea that's my Gateway, but I'm sure that y'all's MPB's would work just as well.:D
Cheers.
 

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