Rain Design iLevel2 Adjustable Height Laptop Stand (Patented) (Silver)

Like so many people these days, a lot of my life revolves around being on my laptop. Like so many people these days, all that time hunched over a laptop was causing physical discomfort. Once I realized the source of my problems and reading up on solutions to common laptop ergonomics problems, I chose this laptop stand as one of my tools to correct the ergonomics issues facing me, and eight months later I am happy to inform you that this has done its job well. Fortunately, I was already using my laptop on a standard-height desk, but having the screen at desk height (30" off the floor) was the major source of neck pain for me. At its lowest setting (the knob all the way to the left), it raises my 13-inch MacBook Pro about 5-3/4" off the table (measured to the bottom of the aluminum body that covers the back of the laptop screen). Note that if your MacBook has a different depth (measured from front to back), the amount your screen is raised will be a little different. At the highest setting (knob to the right), the screen is raised about 7-1/2" off the table. I am just over 6' tall and tend to find that my neck is able to maintain a comfortable neutral position when the knob in the right third of the slide, but of course that varies according to each user, their sitting position, and own comfort zone. All-in-all, this provides a really great range of screen heights that is likely to fit most peoples' needs, especially on 30" height desk. I think the pictures do a great job of covering aesthetics (that is certainly a big part of this purchase). It is high-quality aluminum, and like all aluminum, it is a fairly soft, scratch-prone metal. Mine has remained in nearly new condition after 8 months, and it maintains a clean look that looks almost looks like an Apple product. If you have one of the newer space gray or colored-aluminum MacBooks, that might obviously be an issue. Mechanically, the stand is solid. There are no indents or notches in the slide. There is a slight spring to the upper "lever" of the base such that if you have the knob set to the lower positions, the upper part of the base springs upward to the highest position when the laptop is removed. In the highest position, the stand is already at its highest position, and there is no movement. I suspect that the spring is actually to help the upper arm move upward as the knob is slid to higher positions. One caveat for use of this stand should be used with an external mouse and keyboard. Of course, Apple's Magic line of keyboards, mice, and trackpads work well with this, but the point is that when the laptop is raised, it is no longer comfortable (or ergonomic) to use the laptop's keyboard and trackpad. Overall, this product delivers in every way I need. The price is on the high side, but I hope it will last through the life of this laptop and at least one replacement or three (and maybe even the days when the laptops become archaic relics of the past). The range of screen lift (about 5-3/4" to 7-1/2") suits me well (and I suspect, will suit a large number of people) and the aesthetics are a great match for MacBook users.

No assembly required! It's been a long time since I've ordered anything with more than one part that didn't. Opened the box, took it out, put my laptop on it, adjusted the height (easily) and got to work. I've had it a few weeks now, and it's sturdy. A terrific product. Worth the price.

THIS IS PERFECT PRODUCT. My Mac laptop is now easier to see and use without slumping down. You ideally need an external (wireless?) keyboard to make it even better.

I purchased this product for my laptop after reading a rave review on WireCutter (NY Times). While I generally like the design there are some definite flaws to it: 1) there is a bit of bounciness and 'springy' shaking when typing on the laptop keyboard. I suppose with a separate wireless keyboard this wouldn't be a problem, however I am using only the attached laptop keyboard. 2) The iLevel is useful in that it has adjustability from a lower to higher height level. The lowest level however still seems a bit high for me, and if I raise my desk chair ro accommodate, then the hand/wrist position becomes uncomfortable. 3) But the biggest annoyance I find, is that the metal edges are all quite sharp. A bit of thin rubber strategically placed at the edges where we lay our wrists would have been a well-added feature!

So the overwhelmingly negative reviews you'll notice for this product specifically surround the "bounciness" of this stand when someone is typing on it—however what is confusing to me is how people are purchasing a laptop stand in theory to optimize their ergonomics, yet also stretching their arms out and elevating them to type on said laptop once it's raised. the point of a laptop riser/stand is to elevate the screen so that you can maintain a more natural posture. One would assume you have an external keyboard to use in conjunction with your laptop once you place it on a RISER, because the idea is to elevate your laptop as a SCREEN and then have a level/flat surface to type on, thereby alleviating any awkward hunching or neck strain looking down or anywhere not naturally eye-level. as it is, it's a perfectly functional and elegant laptop riser. I don't find myself wanting to adjust the height often if ever, but in the one or two instances I experimented with it, found no mechanical issues. It looks nice with Apple hardware and allows me to have my laptop's screen flush with the bottom edge of my additional external monitor, so it serves my purposes well. for people complaining about how it bounces when they type on it ... STOP typing on your laptop's keyboard when you have it elevated on a riser! this defeats the purpose and probably also makes your arms tired—buy an external keyboard!

If you take the laptop off the stand, the stand goes up because it's spring-loaded. But the actual maximum height is determined by the knob you slide to the right, which moves along a ridge that pushes up more as you move to the right. But that's at least 2.5" lower than when the laptop is not on the stand. So the actual maximum angle is something like 30 degrees, if that. As a result the screen is much further away from me. If it could be more vertical it would be higher and closer by several inches. At first I thought it was weak springs but then I realised that the springs aren't to support it, the knobby slider thing is. It's much better than when it was sitting on the desk so I think it might be worth 3 stars. Sorry to be a downer about it.

OK, I had my doubts. Yes, the iLevel2 is highly-reviewed. And yes, it's really (really) important to have your laptop screen at eye level (get it? iLevel?) But spending 60 dollars on an adjustable laptop stand? Couldn't I just pile up a couple of old books for free? Well, as a contractor once told me when I made a really dumb suggestion, "You COULD do it that way..." The iLevel2's main virtue is that the angle/height adjustment knob is rock-solid, as is the platform. It's just an extremely well-made, solid product. And the adjustment knob, which is on a left-right track on the front of the product, allows you to dial in your laptop's screen height to the millimeter. Result: a totally-custom, ergonomically-friendly setup. Love it.

This is my second Rain Design laptop stand (I also have the mstand). This one is just as sturdy, and is adjustable too. You have to have a laptop on the stand in order to see the adjustability, without anything on it will just spring back to the top position. I actually use this stand on my lap, because it was surprisingly very good for this. Laptops are always too low when you actually use them in your lap but this stand is stable enough with a 14" Dell Latitude 7490 to use on my lap sitting on the couch. It really saves my neck. Some people complain that it's not stable for typing but I found it fine. Maybe their laptops are larger and heavier. On the desk it's fine, but the mstand actually frees up a little more space since you can put things under it. If you can just buy one, the ilevel is definitely more versatile and IMO is worth the extra money. These stands are all very high quality, both the ilevel and mstand are made in Taiwan and very sturdy.