Laptop stands and desk accessories buying guide
A stand is one of the cheapest ergonomic upgrades, provided you also fix the keyboard.
- Raise the screen so the top edge is near eye level, and use a separate keyboard and mouse once the laptop is lifted.
- Check the maximum laptop size and weight the stand supports, and whether the base is stable when typing.
- Open designs let heat escape; a solid aluminium stand also helps a laptop run cooler under load.
- Adjustable height and angle beat fixed stands if the desk is shared by more than one person.
- Foldable stands are handy for travel, but check that the hinges do not wobble.
Common mistake: Lifting the laptop and then typing on its built-in keyboard, which strains wrists and shoulders instead.