First, I picked up a "laptop stand" at Office Depot a year or so ago, put a portable podium on it and have it in the corner of my office. It is my standing desk for reading, reviewing, writing, etc. I have a nice desk lamp on it and the podium has slots in it where i can put entire files or a notebook or whatever. I use it once or twice a day and enjoy the break.
Now what I'm thinking is this. I use a Surface Pro 3 at my home office, hooked up to an external monitor and a docking station. I have a small monitor riser that fits well for the laptop screen and a "blue switch" external keyboard that just works great. Add in my ergonomic anker trac ball wireless "mouse," and it's ideal.
But occasionally, I like to take the Surface Pro 3 "on the road" with me to my office. The main reason is when I do separate billing and tax preparation. I have other software on it that I do not have on my office computer. Not to get too specific, but there are two different "businesses" and it allows me to keep one separate from the other.
What I typically do is this--just bring my Surface Pro with the type cover keyboard--just ok, but for short term use, it's ok. Sit it on my desk, and hunch over. Difficult to get a proper height on it to type and to view the monitor because it's a laptop substitute.
So here's what I'm considering, and all relate to standing at my desk. One of 3 options.
a) Portable laptop stand. This one adjusts in 15 degree angles, and tilts so the monitor goes up higher. Wouldn't be perfect, but better than now. Here's the one I've been looking at. I've heard it has sold for as low as $39, so I'll keep looking.
https://www.amazon.com/Executive-Off...e+laptop+stand
b) "Make your own" stand. Now this one intrigues me. With IKEA materials for a cost of $22, you can have something that has a dual level, for both keyboard and monitor. Now, if I did this, I would also buy a bluetooth keyboard so that I could use it separately with the laptop--but that would be a good thing, as I could improve the typing experience with a quality bluetooth keyboard.
Here are the instructions. Seems simple. Almost as simple as upgrading a Palm Pilot.
http://iamnotaprogrammer.com/Ikea-St...2-dollars.html
Note--one of the pieces is no longer being sold, and would have to be substituted. Otherwise, it looks very simple and easy to do. I like the price. Problem--this MAY be too big for what I want. I almost want something that would just sit on the corner of my desk when I need it. In fact, if they had a "smaller" version of the same thing, it might be the best of all worlds. Might have to look for smaller "side tables" to make that work.
c) Standing desk converter. By and large, this one has had good reviews. It only has one level, though. It's more of a standing desk converter for a desktop, it seems to me, than a laptop, which is what I'm seeking, but could probably work.
https://www.dealgenius.com/adjustabl...cid=c1k1_earei
Some guy suggested buying two stackable shoe racks at Target for $10 each and putting them back to back to make one, but I don't think I want to go there.
I've been very pleased with the standing desk, but this might allow me to bring my laptop to the office more often, and/or to use it for longer periods of time.
Thoughts?
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