Everybody Else Is Making A Laptop Stand, So Why Can't I?

Or how I transformed a tray into a laptop stand.

We don't have TV, but we like to lay on a blanket and watch DVDs on the laptop.

This laptop stand will insure good stability and air flow.

Step 1: A Laptop, a Blanket, and A Tray

So we have a new big laptop (they've become both big and cheap these days), and my worry is that the blanket could obstruct the laptop vents and lead it to overheat.

We also have a very nice and stylish looking tray, made of plywood and melamine. The designer thought it would look cool with only two raised edges (and I found it too). But the surface is very smooth and thus slippery. As a result, things slide too easily, and the tray is quite unusable, as such. (To find similar trays, see www.esprit.co.uk/, or www.cb2.com/family.aspx)

Fortunately, these two problems happened to nicely merge into a one solution.

Comments

[spawnos3717]

Excellent work! This project would look cool in a steampunk theme!

[MRedu]

Good job i like it.

[atronix]

fantastic idea

[ushuaia]

That's so cute, in a sense. And it also solves the cooling problem. Good job!

[Goodmornin]

Its kind of funny because I have the EXACT same laptop it's a compaq cq60 right? I've also been looking for a good way to cool it because when it overheats (which it does a lot) it shuts down.

[updown789]

I have it too! I have the exact same problem lol.

[sweedy]

hey i would love to make one of these myself .. would you mind telling me where you got that tray from .. i absolutely love the look of your laptops stand .. i voted for this

[Mr.alexc992]

 Haha I have same laptop....
Your Stand has to be the most beautiful of the lot. GREAT JOB!!!! for a more permanent application, you could modify it to pump water under there.Or at least fix a fan to accentuate the air flow. But what ever you do DO NOT use USB power 1. you are wasting your battery juice, 2. powering up through a usb generates more heat.

[jg210ao]

Great Ideal. It kinda looks like it has enought room for a small fan just to put some airflow. But for saving money this would be the best.

[rsadeddin]

 you should think of selling them, there are not alot on the market that are cheap =)

[memyselfand1]

Nice one! As i type this, I can feel my laptop burning a hole in my leg.

Speaking of which, what type of laptop is that?

[laxap]

Hewlett-Packard Compaq Presario CQ 71

[rahasia123]

good thank you for the idea

[The Real Dave]

Very Nice :)

Go Ubuntu lol :)

[mondaymonkey]

Great eye!  I had to go back and check the pictures to notice.

Great 'ible, and great OS too. 

[The Real Dave]

True that :)

[mosquitoloco]

Excellent & good looking JOB! COPY PASTE COPY PASTE! jajaja

[Creativeman]

Outstanding, laxap!  Well done. Cman

[laxap]

Thanks, Cman.

--  Laxap

[Ice Angel]

Love this instructable!  The lines and shape of this stand is very modern... now all I need to do is to find a tray like that in SA and get my husband to build me one (and one for himself of course)!

[Funk_D]

This is slick! I had to build my own stand because of the bottom vent on mine getting hindered by my leg. My laptop is so small it's almost a netbook though, so I went to the dollar general, found this "plant carrier" thing that had a frame similar to your design and fit perfectly. I just flipped it over and took off the casters and plopped my laptop on it. Not near as nice as this though.

[Christopher B.]

 I wonder if Crate&Barrel has had a sudden spike in sales for this tray thanks to your instructable.  I have to admit I'm tempted -- the final product looks damn fine!

[denali206]

Here is the tray...

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=230&f=4360&q=tray&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1

[Datawolf]

Epoxy glue, for wood ?

[laxap]

Yep. Sometimes. Why not after all...?

[bsdaiwa]

Looks great, now where can I get that same tray?

[laxap]

In a furniture shop.

Seems to be made by ESPRIT: www.esprit.co.uk/. Please tell us if you manage to get one!

[cdhack3]

 where did you get the tray at?

[laxap]

In a furniture shop.

Seems to be made by ESPRIT: www.esprit.co.uk/. Please tell us if you manage to get one!

[Eonir]

Excellent instructable! Two thumbs up.

[isacco]

I like this Instructable. The desing is simple and very elegant, an optimal mix of shape and function. The crafting and finishing are very good and all the steps are clearly illustrated.
Congratulations
Isacco

[laxap]

Grazie!

[Baughb]

Slick! ;) Thanks.

[lukaj2003]

Great looking stand.
Where is the tray from? Looks like something I might want... 

[laxap]

Trays there exactly like mine.

[hbbyboy]

Thank you.

[mattnoks]

Very cool, my laptop feels like its burning a hole in my leg, this could help.

[paganwonder]

VERY nice!  Thanks for posting this.

[=SMART=]

It looks really nice !

[Wicken]

 I've marked this for later reference because it's one of the few stands that look like furniture that I could leave out around the house -- which is the kind of thing I do because I want to carry the laptop, not the stand.  Classy and clever.  I wouldn't be sorry to leave it lying around.  :)