Review by Mark for Black Jumbo Lap Desk
Rating:
UPDATED: February 2009

The Jumbo Lap Desk is designed for use when working from a couch or recliner. When I got my first one, this was one of the few options for lap desks that could be described as a “good value.” I knew it wasn’t perfect, but it had enough positives to be worth a shot. Now there are many more options, and you should explore them.

If I could adjust my star rating, I would make this a two instead of a three. Over time, the cons have become more annoying. If you only use this for reading or writing, it’s still a decent low-cost option. But if you use this with a laptop computer, the unit will crack and flex more and more over time. And if you replace it, that unit will crack too. Over time the beads in the cushion also start to leak more. I initially left my more expensive *wooden-top* lap desk at home because it felt a little too heavy to be portable. I now plan to start using that one more if possible.

This is still the *low cost* solution of lap-desks. I would urge you to consider the alternatives. Eventually this will bend and crack to the point of being distracting.

In terms of price, you have to factor in the shipping when buying from a third party. That’s not a deal-breaker and it’s probably not worth waiting to see if Amazon will ever sell it directly. I bought mine at a brick and mortar store, and it was only a few bucks cheaper. So it may be worth a premium for the convenience of home delivery.

THE GOOD

This unit has many uses beyond just laptop use. The included clip and pencil / pen slots make it ideal for taking notes while reading. The built-in handle is convenient for carrying it. It’s so light though you really shouldn’t grab it there to move it with heavy things on the surface. But the light weight also makes this very portable.

A 17 inch laptop will fit on it, but is a little cramped if you’re using an external mouse. It’s perfectly sized for a 14 or 15 inch laptop along with a mouse. The beaded bottom is comfortable in your lap. And along with all of this, the best aspect of this unit has to be the lower price relative to the alternatives.

THE BAD

The hard plastic surface bends and flexes, and over time it will crack. If you are only using this for reading or writing on it that is an acceptable flaw. But the weight of using this with a laptop will make the flexing and cracking worse. Mine cracked in the middle first, and pieces started breaking off. Then the handle cracked. Now if I lift it with something on top, it flexes dangerously. I opted to get another even though it was still useable. The excessive flexing just started to bother me. But the second one also started cracking in short order even though I handled with care.

This isn’t going to bother everybody but should be taken into account. You may still be able to get by with it long after it is cracked and chipped. For a while I didn’t think the flexing would be a deal-breaker for me, but over time it has become more distracting.

The cushion underneath is a little under-stuffed with beads and covered in a synthetic fabric that can be uncomfortable and hot. It’s still cooler than having a hot laptop on your legs, but in the summer time it can be uncomfortable. Over time, more and more of those beads start to leak out. Plan on cleaning them up.

THE ALTERNATIVES

For my part, I plan on using my unit with a wood surface much more. It’s not sold here but is similar to the Wood Laptop Desk. Originally I kept it at home for occasional use, but since the wood won’t flex as much as this plastic top I am hoping that will hold up longer. It’s clearly heavier, otherwise I might not have used these units. Then again, that one cost me about $20 more than this, so it’s a trade-off.

Belkin’s CushTop Notebook Stand may be an alternative for those who use their laptops on their laps without a wireless mouse. It can be flipped over for use with a 15.4 inch laptop or a 17 inch widescreen, and comes in a variety of colors. The downsides are that it is somewhat thicker, adding height, it doesn’t provide as much extra work surface for using a mouse and it may hold heat more due to it’s cloth surface. The Belkin PocketTop Laptop Case has a storage area integrated with it but is not as solid as the cush-top.

Antec’s USB-Powered Notebook Cooler is great cooler, but not very comfortable when used directly on the lap. Some may opt to use this in combination with the Belkin cushtop or the Lap Desk. Others may not require any additional cooling, so the cush-top stand or the lap desk alone may be enough.

All of these options should be reviewed before choosing the one that best meets your needs.

CONCLUSION

This will seem good enough for a while, but when it eventually starts to fail you will wish you had gotten something better. At the right price this can be a good value and a handy extra unit to have around. I would just recommend you look at some alternatives.

Good luck with your choice.

Review by Der Alte for Black Jumbo Lap Desk
Rating:
I got mine from Staples on sale for $12.97. Mine has a black top with a bright yellow pillow. I use a 17″ screen laptop that is rather heavy. With this desk, the laptop’s weight is not a problem. The laptop/desk combination is stable for typing and comfortable for long periods. There is a slight raised edge around the work surface with a strong clip on the side. It’s great with recliners but my favorite is using this laptop/desk combination with my zero-gravity chair. I have a lot of back pain and I can work comfortably for hours this way. This lap desk is light but durable. Get one – you will really like it.