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Provides: Elevation and placement of laptop computers
Developers: Just Mobile (Xtand Pro) and Griffin Technology (Elevator)
Minimum Requirements: Laptop computer
Price: $79.95 (Xtand Pro) and $39.99 (Elevator)
Availability: Out now

I’m a big fan of my neck. I greatly enjoy the way it holds up my head, allowing me to turn it when I so desire. To show my neck how much I appreciate the bang-up job its done so far, I try to put as little stress on it as possible. And laptop computing? Not conducive to a neck-friendly workplace. Tilting your head down to view that little screen makes for an uncomfortable work environment, which is just one reason why all laptop users who often find themselves doing work at their desk should consider a laptop stand. In this review, I’ll take a look at two: JustMobile’s Xtand Pro and Griffin Technology’s Elevator.

Xtand Pro

I first caught sight of the Xtand Pro at Macworld Expo 2009, and was instantly struck by its design. The solid aluminum construction is a perfect match for the unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro, but looks pretty good with whatever laptop you want to place on it. The stand is an oval base to which you affix a small but sturdy pedestal. Two pedestals are included: One keeps the laptop slanted barely above the desk, allowing you to get a few more inches in height and a comfortable typing angle while still using the laptop’s keyboard. The second pedestal comes in at 4.5” high, raising the back of your laptop 6.5” above your desk. This is best for viewing, as you won’t have to be hanging your head down to see the screen (and in the case of the MacBook, I no longer had to constantly adjust the screen angle to get the best picture).

Affixed to the pedestal and base via a screw (the developers recommend you use a coin to tighten it) is the platform. It’s shaped like an X flattened off at each point, offering plenty of open air for your laptop to breathe. Each point of the X contains a rubber pad to prevent your laptop from scratching and sliding. The bottom two points contain a lip to hold the laptop in place, and each of these feature a pad, as well. Obviously, the lips are there to prevent your laptop from sliding off, but they will prevent those with front loading CD/DVD drives from using the Xtand Pro.

I absolutely love the Xtand Pro. It’s attractive, it’s sturdy, and I never had a problem with the laptop sliding on it or it sliding on my desktop (the base sports rubber grips, as well). However, the stand’s construction (a pedestal affixed to an oval base) prevents you from placing a separate keyboard or other device under the laptop. Therefore, it ends up consuming more retail space than it appears it would. This isn’t an issue for those looking to raise their laptop for ergonomic/viewing purposes, but if you want a laptop stand so you can reclaim some desk space, the Xtand Pro is not the way to go.

Elevator

Rather, you’d want to try the Elevator from Griffin Technology. With this stand, the platform and the base are made from single units; two C-shaped aluminum bars that have been slightly bent forward. These are held together and properly spaced by inserting the bottom tips into a separate, clear plastic spacer.

The bottom portions contain four rubber pads to prevent the unit from slipping on your desk, while nearly all of the top portion is covered with rubber. This adds extra grip for your laptop, which is necessary because there are no lips to hold it in place as with the Xtand. This is good news for those with a front-loading CD/DVD drive, as there’s absolutely nothing to block access. However, it’s not as secure as that of the Xtand Pro. My MacBook never slipped off, but I did notice it would shift a bit when my kids would jump around in my office or the dog would hit the desk while chasing the cat. Where you position your laptop can affect the usefulness of the rubber grips, and that’s just not something I want to bother with or worry about when I’m not there.

In addition, there is some wobble in the construction after the unit is put together. This isn’t much of a factor when the laptop is in place on the stand; it’s not designed for you to use the laptop keyboard while it’s elevated. But you will notice your laptop shaking a bit if any sort of physical activity is going on nearby.

If you’re looking for the ability to hide away an external keyboard, however, those shortcomings will be easily cast aside so you can use the Elevator. It’s very easy to pick up a keyboard and place it behind the plastic bar, where it’ll rest completely underneath the stand. It’s very handy, and the area is long enough to accommodate pretty much all of your standard sized keyboards.

The Winner

I’m going with the Xtand Pro, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. It’s $40 more expensive than the Elevator, after all, and that alone will be enough to dissuade many customers. But it’s the more elegant solution; your laptop will look better sitting on it, making it great for an office setting or just for showing off your equipment (it’s also a perfect compliment to the Xtand for iPhone or iPod touch). And considering how sleek many laptop models are looking these days, there’s something to be said for that. But you can save yourself $40 and get the added benefit of a convenient place to slide your external keyboard when you need your desktop for something other than typing if you go with the Elevator. Just be sure you babysit it for a while to make sure you’ve got your laptop placed in a manner so that it doesn’t slip down the unit.

But no matter which way you go, your neck will be much better off. The only real loser here is your chiropractor.