Reviewed: July 31, 2008
Reviewed by: Jason Flick
Manufacturer
LapWorks
Type: Portable Desk
System: PC
Rating: 8.0
What's in the box
System Requirements
None
MSRP: $39.95
The way that gaming has changed over the years with the current advancements in technology is quite astounding. Companies like Microsoft and Sony are finding ways to bring the computer to the living room. HDTV’s are now capable of allowing laptops to be displayed on them and desktop graphics cards are capable of running on a gamut of newer television sets.
With the ever increasing move to the living room and of portable gaming via laptops, the companies that already make a slew of gaming and multimedia equipment have to adapt to the converging markets. One such company, LapWorks, known for their lineup of ergonomic heat reducing laptop desks and stands has released The Gamers Desk to aid in the transition from desk to living room.
Aesthetics - 8
The Futura Gamers Desk upon first inspection looked like it was pulled from some sci-fi show and sat before me. This is fine by me as I actually like the style and color. The Gamers Desk is the comprised of the Futura Laptop Desk and Two MouzPads and 4 locking plugs. Every piece in this package is gun-metal grey.
The main body or rather the Futura Laptop desk features several ventilation slots to keep the heat on your legs from your laptop down. The Desk will hold just about any laptop including my Dell Inspiron 9100 which is huge. The Laptop Desk also features several rubberized surfaces that will keep you laptop or keyboard from moving or sliding off your lap.
The Gamers Desk comes with two Mouzpads that easily snap on either end of the Futura Laptop Desk to allow the use of a mouse whether you are using just a keyboard or a laptop with it. The MouzPads are made out of the same material as the Futura itself. The cool thing is that they are easy to remove and can be permanent or semi-permanent. Simply snapping in the 4 Locking Plugs, or rather gluing them in per the instructions that came with my set, will give you that much needed space for your mouse.
The Gamers Desk fully assembled is 26 - 3/4” long and 11” wide giving you plenty of room for those large gaming keyboards. While the Gamers Desk is made of high-impact ABS plastic, it weighs a remarkable 1 lb. 9 oz. completely assembled. The Gamers Desk fully disassembled and folded is only a ½” thick. Being able to fold the Gamers Desk in half is perfect for taking it with you on the road.
Durability - 8
The Futura Laptop Desk is made out of high-impact ABS plastic with a solidly constructed reinforced spine to keep from it from collapsing in on itself while holding a fairly heavy load. The MouzPads that are included are made of the rigid plastic that can take even the heaviest handed mouse users.
The MouzPads easily snap on but aren’t easily detached by downwards pressure. Removing them is pretty as it only takes a couple pounds of upward pressure to remove. Also it is not advised to pick the Gamers Desk up by the attached MouzPads as that could be fatal if you have your laptop on it.
Performance - 8
Performance wise, The Gamers Desk does exactly what it was meant to do. I’ve used The Gamers Desk quite a bit over the past few weeks and I like it for the most part. It is versatile as both a Laptop Desk and as a Laptop Stand. The Gamers Desk can easily be folded in half and held up by a support to raise your computer in five different angles of comfort.
One of the things that I do really like about the Gamers Desk, is that it keeps the most of the heat off of my legs when I’m out and about and using my 9100. I’ve been used to sitting my laptop on my lap that the Gamers Desk is a welcome if not necessary addition to my mobile gear. The only thing that detracts from the performance is that the MouzPads are a bit small at times for using a mouse. The good news is that LapWorks is actually working on creating bigger versions of the MouzPads.
Value - 8
The Gamers Desk retails for $39.95 via their website. I personally think that 40 dollars is fairly reasonable for comfort and the versatility that the Gamers Desk offers. The ease of portability due to its weight and ability to be folded in half makes this item a must have for the person always on the go and for those seeking to move their gaming from the desk to the living room.
Overall – 8.0
In the time that I’ve used the Gamers Desk, especially while writing this review, I have to come to love it. I have always been skeptical of laptop desks, stands and cooling pads for some time now as most of them are not efficient enough for the laptop I own. I now find myself a little less skeptical after using LapWorks’ newest product. Comfort and ease of use go a long was with me and the Gamers Desk has both.