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

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 the best laptop stand I've ever had, bar none.

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.

This is a lightweight and sturdy design. It is attractive and simple to use. It definitely lifts up your laptop to a level that is much more ergonomic than having it simply set on the desk or table. I use this with a magic keyboard and a macbook pro and it's seamless.The reason I'm giving this 4 and not 5 stars is because I really wish the stand brought the computer up a few inches higher. I'm 5'8 and find this just a bit lower than I'd like, even on the highest setting. That said, it's still a big ergonomic improvement for me.Another minor negative is that this unit is not pack-able. In an ideal world, I'd love a stand that I could fold flat and stick in my backpack. Some other designs offered this, but overall this seemed like the best design. It had good reviews in industry publications and also here on Amazon. As I say, it's not perfect, but I am pleased with it after using it daily for about a month.Since it's only a month old, I can't speak to durability, but the design is solid and it seems quite sturdy and durable. It feels worth the price from both construction and design perspectives.Also, just to respond to something that comes up in other reviews - this isn't really designed or marketed to be used without another keyboard if you're doing any kind of writing on it. In fact, doing so kinda defeats the purpose because, while your neck is getting a break, you'll be putting everything from your shoulders to your fingers out of whack by trying to type on this while it's on the stand. It's fine to use it this way if you're hitting a key now and then but, if you're typing for any extended period of time, you'll want a separate keyboard with it.Okay, overall - nice stand if you want to make your laptop set up more ergonomic.

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.

Rain engineered all the weak, fussy stuff out. You put your laptop on it and slide the knob for the degree of tilt you want — that’s it.The extra height is about the same as you’ve been getting with a couple of thick reference books.Strong, stable, nice-looking, passively conducts heat from the skin of your metal laptop. Perfect for a 12–15-in notebook PC, but your 16-in lappie might overhang too much for comfort.