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Kensington Notebook Stand with ‘Smart Fit’ 

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If you use a notebook on the move and at a desk then the latter is often a ‘pain’ as you are almost certainly looking down at the screen. With the addition of a keyboard and a mouse this item can solve the neck pain.

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It’s hard to describe the size as it varies according to your palm size, yes the size of your palm. In the box you get a sheet of paper with four palm sizes spread one on top of the other and according to which colour your palm fits you adjust the unit to that setting and this is stated to be the setting most ergonomic for you.

It is 50cm tall and 30cm wide with the depth dependant on your palm size so this varies from 17 to 28cm. It weights a little over two kilos (without a notebook inserted).

This idea in not new – but the palm sizing is – as I have looked at such items in the past. Then it was always one size fits all. Of course some people go the other way and have a panel on their desk along with the mouse and keyboard so all they are really using is the computer processor. Here you get the chance to use the notebook panel.

Once you have decided what size your palm is you open your notebook (close to flat) and insert the keyboard part in the ‘sandwich’ with only the panel showing.

The modern idea is that looking almost straight at the panel is the correct posture and indeed I was quite happy doing my tests in this position.

This clever piece of plastic has another plus in that it also has a four port hub and thus avoids the potential problem of trying to fit the notebook in the ‘sandwich’ and still have access to your USB ports. In all probability as least a couple will be near inaccessible once in the ‘sandwich’. Unless you use Bluetooth or Wireless keyboard/mouse then a couple of the four upward facing ports at the top of the unit will be taken by the mouse/keyboard.

While I have tried 12inch inch notebooks upwards without any problems this works best with 15inch or above as the depth the unit descends into the unit is 18cm and my 12inch notebook has only 20cm before the screen.


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I currently do not have anything smaller but I suspect the 10 inch Netbooks would not work without some adjustment such as a load of packing to lift it sufficiently. Very large 20inch plus might also give a problem but only because of the added width, the near 4cm outer edges of the sandwich should accommodate most notebooks without difficulty.

The front edge of the unit has a clip to allow you to attach sheets of paper underneath – hands up if you remember copy boards – idea for those who need to transfer printed documentation.

I may have made it sound a little cheap by calling it plastic, however it is very sturdy and the knob on the right side that your turn according to your palm size has a colour square of the appropriate colour to tell you which setting you are on. There is also a colour line on the side beside a check mark if the rear of the unit is not easily visible for any reason.

I do not think this will be a huge seller but for the market I described the person who works in and out of the office it could avoid problems with neck pain by making you work by looking ahead rather than down.

Doing my Internet searches found the Kensington Notebook Stand with Smart Fit at a best price of £28.16 including free delivery from the first link below.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000VG6N8G?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634

http://uk.kensington.com/html/14440.html

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Features3
Performance3
Value3
Ease of use3
Design3
OverallKensington Notebook Stand with %C2%91Smart Fit%C2%92 rated 76 out of 100

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