Logitech Alto Express Notebook Stand Review

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by Kevin O'Brien

The Logitech Alto Express Notebook Stand is a trendy, simple, and affordable notebook stand. This no-frills solution to turning your notebook into a desktop computer promises that it &quot;elevates your display for viewing comfort&quot; and &quot;reduces clutter&quot; by giving you an area to organize your USB cables.

Specifications:

• Stylish design and high-quality construction: Rubber feet help secure your notebook.
• Reduces clutter: Use the opening in the base to organize and secure cables.
• Real value: A smart alternative to large, expensive monitors and docking stations.
• Works with virtually all notebooks: Use it with your current notebook -- and your next one.
• Warranty: 3-year limited hardware
• Price: $29.99

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Features and Design

The Logitech Alto Express Notebook Stand is made from clear plastic with rubberized plastic molded into the base. The stand features rubber feet to hold your notebook in place, instead of slowly sliding off the surface after it has been put in position. It seemed to be missing proper rubber feet on the surface below, allowing the stand to slide around on your desk.

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The footprint of the stand is compact enough to fit on most desks, and if you are that pressed for space you can store items under the stand since it has a ton of open space below.

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In Use

I found the position that it put your monitor was just about right for comfortable viewing. Cable routing is handled well thanks to the sloped cutout, but for the most part my notebook stuck out past the sides of the stand. This made the cutout useless for routing cables around, and more just for good airflow beneath the notebook.

Conclusion

Overall this stand is a good value for people looking for a very simple notebook stand that won't take up a lot of space on their desks. What more can we say?

Pros:

• Cheap
• Cool shape and design
• Stand cutouts help with airflow under notebook
• Compatible with Windows, Apple, and Linux operating systems ... and DOS ... or any future OS.

Cons:

• No rubber feet on the back of the stand, making it easy to slide around

 

 

More of a general question regarding all notebook stands: Do you think that the notebook components should be kept at this angle? My manual recommends that the notebook be operated on a flat horizontal surface. My concern would be items like hard drives and fans operating out of spec.

 

I believe operating either dvd/cd rom or hd on a slant is fine these days given the advent of all in one units (imac etc..) operating in similar fashion. And being elevated gives a freer flow of air and makes cooling your rig better.

 

A nice and elegant looking product for an affordable price. An HP QuickDock or any port replicator would fit nicely underneath. My only concern would be the notebook sliding off the stand and then off my desk - do those rubber feet hold it securely?

 

how big is the stand? will a 17 inch laptop such as the dell inspirion e1705 fit on it?

 

They dont clamp onto the laptop or anything, its just rubberized stops towards the bottom of the tray the laptop sits on.

And 30 dollars for some bent plastic isnt the best value.

The notebook shown is a 15.4" notebook, and it has slightly overlap from the sides. A 17" notebook should fit, but its going to be hanging off the edges.

 

:O i really want the alto connect when it finally reaches stores ...

 

Does the stand let you connect audio ports in the front. That rubber stop doesn't look like it would accommodate front ports for my laptop.

 

yes i was wondering the same thing about a computer hard disk/cd drive that is operating at an angle. because harddisk an cd drive has a disc that is rotating, it wil create some sort of gryro effect don't you thing? wouldn't it put more stress on the bearing? and that the spin rate be compromised? and reduce the operating life/reiability of the drive?