Griffin Technology iCurve Laptop Stand

Other products by Griffin Technology

Product Details

Product Manual [50kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00007L6IA
• Item model number: 1090-CURV
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 6, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Amazon.com Review More and more people are steering clear of desktop computers in favor of laptops, which are smaller, easier to transport, and every bit as powerful. However, anyone who's used a laptop for prolonged periods at home or in the office knows that it has a few ergonomic shortcomings. Enter Griffin's iCurve portable laptop stand, which suspends your laptop at eye level while offering space beneath for a separate keyboard and mouse. The combination is intended to make a laptop more comfortable to use, and because its screen is raised to the correct height, to prevent neck and back pain. The iCurve also has a smooth base so users can swivel the monitor around when showing off a project or asking for advice.

iCurve not only looks great, but it frees up valuable desk space and positions your laptop for better cooling airflow.

Design
Though it's compatible with PC laptops, the iCurve is clearly Mac focused. The clear, rounded plastic matches the material used around the edges of many Apple monitors--specifically some of its Cinema displays--so it should blend in to most Mac installations, including multi-monitor setups. Griffin even designed the iCurve so that PowerBook monitors would rest at 16 inches above desk level, the same height as Apple's 17-inch LCD monitors. If appearance and consistency matter--and to many Mac users, they clearly do--the iCurve makes a good fit. PC owners shouldn't fret, though, as the iCurve's sleek form will complement any computer.

The iCurve is also pretty tough. Its two slanted arms hold up durably whether carrying a brand-new, I-can't-believe-it-weighs-this-little laptop or an older, heavier model. The stand also offers full access to a laptop's rear access door, FireWire ports, and other connectors, making it easy to attach peripherals without disturbing the laptop itself. And finally, the iCurve allows air to flow freely around a laptop, which keeps it running nice and cool.

Features and Performance
Laptop owners who don't connect an outside keyboard and mouse won't have much use for the iCurve, as it holds the laptop at a 15-degree angle a good 4-1/2 inches off the desk. In other words, it's simply not comfortable to type at that angle. However, anyone who does use a separate keyboard will find a lot to like about the product. When positioned on the stand, the laptop screen sits straight ahead for comfortable viewing. The laptop body is positioned far enough above the desk that you have plenty of room to type or maneuver the mouse. Users can also fit additional peripherals within the curved base to save space. Should the monitor feel too close or far away, users can effortlessly reposition it by sliding it forward or back, much like they can with the iMac's floating monitor.

Laptops fit securely on the iCurve thanks to the nonslip grips. It takes a significant effort to slide the computer along the top of the iCurve, and even then it budges just a little. The iCurve's base, on the other hand, is intentionally smooth, letting users swivel the laptop around. Should the slippery bottom seem a bit unsound, the iCurve comes with four extra base pads that you can attach for greater stability. We preferred the iCurve with the base pads attached (mobile computers make us nervous), but it works fine either way.

If you work on a laptop all day long, the iCurve makes a great addition. In fact, for anyone who suffers from long-term neck and back pain, it may not just be a luxury, but a necessity. --Rivers Janssen

Pros

• Suspends laptop at eye level, preventing neck and back pain
• Sleek plastic material complements most Mac laptops and monitors
• Friction pads keep laptop from moving

Cons

• None

What's in the Box
iCurve laptop stand, four round base pads, quick start guide.

Product Description

Brings your Apple PowerBook or iBook up to eye level and at arm's length with optional external keyboard

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes a Great Notion, July 24, 2003

By	Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Griffin Technology makes a business out of introducing ingenious accessories for MacIntosh computers - in my case, a 15" Titanium Powerbook. As with al companies who do so, some ideas are winners and others are easy to underappreciate. The iCurve, a simple. Elegant computer stand designed for portables is one of their most outstanding products. Although, at first it seems somewhat unassuming.

If you are mostly a road user, then the iCurve will not seem all that useful. But if you are like me and use your portable primarily as a desktop that can be moved around, the iCurve is a lifesaver. I originally bought it because I wanted to use the Powerbook with a standard Apple keyboard and a special mouse. With everything flat on my desk it was getting crowded. The iCurve resolved that problem right away.

What I did not consider was the the ergonomic improvement the iCurve would work. With the screen at eyelevel, pressure on my back and eyes simply vanished. It is far easier to sit back. think, and type - an unexpected productivity gain as well. The shame is that this gadget is primarily marketed to Mac's, even though it will work with any portable, with the same benefits.

I did discover one flaw. If you use the supplied footpads to keep the iCurve from slipping around (I have a glass table top) make sure you place the front feet far enough forward. If you don't, the base becomes a bit unstable. Being a klutz, I wound up getting one extra footpad and placing it square in the front middle. That being done, the iCurve is as solid as a rock.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, Elegant and Most Importantly Functional!, August 17, 2005

By	troyronson "troyronson" (Concord, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Bought this to replace a Targus Chill Hub with broken fans after only 5 months. When this happened, I searched Amazon for a replacement product (to provide cooling), stumbling on the iCurve. Once unboxed, this product looked so simple and aesthetically pleasing. Since I own a 17 inch Dell notebook, I was apprehensive about buying a product aimed primarily at Apple owners. Also, I was worried about suspending a $2,000 plus notebook in the air! Let me reassure any other Dell (or PC) owners, that this product is excellent. I use my notebook primarily as a desktop replacement. Not only does the iCurve sturdily support my computer, but I now have enough desk space to use a full size wireless keyboard, my mouse has more room to roam, and the screen is at a much better elevation. Not quite perfect (this stand is unadjustable for height), but good enough and certainly a vast improvement. Simple, yes. Elegant yes. But most importantly, it serves a multitude of functions in improving the utility of notebook computers. Great product.

PS I called the manufacturer's customer support phone number prior to my purchase. They were very courteous in answering all my questions.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stronger Than You Think, November 14, 2004

By	W. Sullivan "Designer/Photographer" (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased the iCurve for my 17" PowerBook so I would have more room on my desk for a Bluetooth keyboard. It has worked out beautifully and it's practically invisible. I didn't even apply the extra no-slip pads provided with the stand and it stays in place very well.

An added bonus is that it keeps my laptop's processor nice and cool since air can circulate underneath and all around the unit - unlike when it's sitting against a desk where heat is trapped.

For the money and aesthetics, this stand is highly worth it.