Customer Reviews

Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700

5 star:		(177)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Whoever thought out all the design features on Logitech's Speaker Lapdesk should be given an award, because there isn't one thing they left out. This is SUPERB if you don't like being chained to a desk, and you're tired of a hot lap from your laptop.

It's simply flawless.

I tried this on my 15" Macbook Pro, and in a few days of working with the Logitech Lapdesk and its features, it's become my new favorite laptop must-have.

First of all, there's no external power source, no batteries and no adapter. All you do is unwrap it, put it on your lap with the laptop, plug it into the USB port, and you're good to go. That simple.

Now for the delicious design features. The Lapdesk top tilts towards you, with two cushioned tabs on the end towards your body that you pop up to keep the puter from sliding into your lap. This means there's practically nothing you can do to make the puter fall off - so put you legs up on an ottoman, bend your knees on the ottoman, lay on the couch with the Lapdesk almost vertical (yeah, I do that), and nothing's going to move!

There are two little nobby things included in the package you can snap onto the grill under the laptop to raise it up if that's your preference. If you have a netbook, you can move the stops closer to you to give your netbook the same desired tilt.

The padding on this Lapdesk is just divine. And whoever picked out the plush fabric that cushions the Lapdesk on your legs is a genius! The padding is ample and lush; you can keep this on your lap for eternity, and you won't get tired or "hot" from it. The fabric is textured and has a sumptuous feel to it. The texture also keeps the Lapdesk anchored to your legs, but there's nothing sticky or sweaty-feeling about it. (I did this dry-run in shorts, so the padded part of the desk was mostly on bare legs. Absolutely no problems.)

The Lapdesk isn't just a padded wedge, though. It's got this brilliant "tunnel" effect under it, which allows air circulation and prevents that hot and heavy "laptop in your lap feel.

There's an ingenuous fan built into the center of the Lapdesk. It draws the heat and pushes it out through a vent in the BACK of the Lapdesk. You have to keep checking to see if it's on, because the fan is THE quietest fan I've ever NOT heard. It's perfection the way it works and you don't even know it's doing its job.

I usually use a compact external speaker system with my Macbook, and it works fine. But the speakers on the Logitech Lapdesk are EXCELLENT. There's a mesh grilling on both sides of the Lapdesk with your laptop fitting in the center. The actual speakers are embeded at the top left and right of the Lapdesk (you're also told to keep your fingers off them, for obvious reasons.)

The sound on these two tiny speakers is phenomenal! All I can do is gape in astonishment how two speakers tucked into a lapdesk can produce such amazing sound! Rich, separated, diverse, like a full sound system set up, in this Lapdesk! It completely makes the sound of my external speakers sound wimpy and whiney in comparison.

I guarantee, you will be amazed that any sound that luxurious can come out of a Lapdesk!

(A tip for Mac users who might hook up the Lapdesk and wonder why there's no sound coming out: you have to go to System Preferences/Sound under the apple menu, and select the Logitech Lapdesk as the speaker set up you want. You also have to quit OUT of any sound programs BEFORE you hook the Lapdesk up to the USB port.)

The size of the Lapdesk is perfect for my 15" Macbook. There's about three inches, give or take, on either side, where the speakers are, and the Macbook doesn't interfere with it.

On the right side is a control panel. The top two buttons are for volume control, the third is a mute button. The last switch is an on/off slider for the fan.

Whoever at Logitech designed this deserves a promotion and a raise. There isn't a thing they missed in the design, and the quality is just superb.

I have one minor quibble, but for laptop acrobats like me who are always moving the thing around, it's a useful idea for future Logitech Lapdesk incarnations. A stop on the BACK of the Lapdesk might be a good thing, similar to the two on the front. Granted, most people probably don't contort themselves while on their laptop the way I do, and the Macbook didn't fall off the Lapdesk while I was engaging in my various exercises, but a tab on the back of the Lapdesk would provide an extra jot of security.

The Logitech Speaker Lapdesk is probably the best computer accessory pick for anyone who uses their laptop computer anywhere but ON a desk. Kudos to Logitech for a comfort and design home run!

I've had this desk for about a month now. It has some serious benefits and some bothersome disadvantages

The good:

1. Fits perfectly in my chair on my lap and has room for a mouse (sort of, see below).
2. The fan is quiet
3. The fan works very well on my laptop which has had overheating problems even on just plain flat surfaces.
4. It is very, very sturdy
5. It was pure plug and play, even for my old laptop.

The not so good

1. It is light by itself, but with the laptop and the weight distributed over a relatively small area, it feels a bit on the heavy side.
2. The shape is such that it pulls air in from both behind and beneath. That means that it needs to create space beneath the tray. The padding at the back of this creates a very narrow padded edge that rests on my legs. The combination of the fabric texture and the weight makes it uncomfortable after a while.
3. The angle on your lap puts the tray higher at the rear than the front. Necessary for air flow, but using an external mouse is basically impossible because a mouse slides off no matter what posture I assume. Yes, I'm a mouser.
4. Using a mouse pad is only a partial fix for the above, and it blocks a speaker. I trimmed an old one to fit, but the mouse still slips off now and then and I have to fish it out of my chair.
5. Sound quality is just okay - a bit on the muddy side with insufficient treble for listening, but music sounds decent and if I'm working, critical listening is not a priority.

I had an old "as seen on TV" lap desk that had a beanbag bottom. It was very comfortable, had room for the mouse, and it would lay flat. Its durability was awful, which is why I chose this item.

I'm keeping the Logitech and actually do recommend it. I'll look for a higher-friction mouse pad and hope the rear padding doesn't tattoo my legs.

Everyone in my home now uses a Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700. In November, I purchased this lapdesk for myself because my laptop speakers are lousy. As soon as my hubby saw it, he said he needed one too. His laptop usually gets hot & he listens to music all the time. My daughter's laptop speakers are even worse than mine & she always listens to music on hers. So they each rec'd this lapdesk for Christmas. Our OS: Windows XP sp3; Vista with all updates, and Windows 7 (I've delayed installing SP1).

Our findings:

~~What bothered my hubby most is using headphones with this lapdesk's fan. He's the only one in the family that uses headphones & found the problem soon after he began using it. Thanks to Lan's review posted on March 1st, my hubby is now able to use the cooling fan & headphones at the same time. I'll post how to do this using Windows 7, which is the OS on my laptop, at the end of my review.*

~~I have trouble using the lapdesk on my lap because I'm short...I don't have enough lap. My daughter & hubby are both average height & have no problems. I usually use the lapdesk on my desk so it's okay with me...and I find the slight tilt to my laptop makes typing easier for me.

~~I would like more room for a mouse or a pull-out table for the mouse. Currently, I push my laptop over to one side & make do with the room I have; it's not ideal but it does work.

~~The lapdesk is on the heavy side; my daughter is always carrying the lapdesk and her laptop to other areas which is awkward & looks a bit comical because the lapdesk's weight, 5 lbs., & size approx 20.5" x 12" x 3".

~~I use the Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra Mini Hub F5U407 with the lapdesk to provide more USB ports.

~It's simple to use; just plug & play.

~We all like the sound.

~The fan is whisper quiet!

~It's very comfortable to use on your lap & works nicely on a desk too.

All in all this is a great lapdesk, but could use a few more features to make it absolutely the best lapdesk ever.
...................

*Using Windows 7, how to use headphones and your lapdesk fan at the same time.

right click on the sound icon in your taskbar; choose 'playback devices'

**choose Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 (it should already be highlighted if you're currently using them)

~choose properties; click on "Use this device (enable)", choose "Don't use this device (disable)" click apply

~When you're finished using your headphones & want to go back to the Logitech N700 speakers, choose "Use this device (enable)" click apply

or
Click 'Start'
click 'Control Panel'
click 'hardware and sound'
click 'sound'
click 'manage sound devices'
follow above instructions beginning with **

I didn't even know how much I needed this Lapdesk w/ built-in stereo until I tried it. I was always putting my laptop on the floor, bed, couch and it usually got overheated after a while. This product fixes that problem, plus the added bonus of a great stereo sound system.

The padded mesh base of the Lapdesk is very comfortable on your lap. There's enough cushioning and there's no heat transfer from the laptop because the internal fan keeps it cool. There's also no worry about the laptop overheating when it's placed on the carpet, bed, etc. The fan is very quiet and turns off automatically when you turn the computer off. (You can also turn off the fan manually) Two rubber tabs are included to raise the computer even more to let additional air circulate.

The base raises the laptop to a comfortable level for typing and viewing the screen whether you're using it on your lap or setting it on the floor. Two rubberized, pull-out tabs in the very front of the base secure the laptop and keep it from sliding forward.

Both my 13" and 15" (a PC and a Mac) laptops fit perfectly and felt very stable and secure on the base. No sliding, slipping or wobbling at all, even with my Mac Book Pro which has a smooth bottom.

The built-in stereo speakers are such a great feature because the speakers in my laptop have a barely average sound. When I played songs from my music library and some movie DVD's, the sound quality from the Lapdesk speakers was very impressive. I'm always watching movies on my laptop and now the sound quality rivals my HDTV. There are also easily-accessible buttons on the right side of the base to raise, lower or mute the sound.

The Lapdesk connects to the computer via a single USB plug and uses the computer's power, so there are no other plugs or adapters needed. There's also no software or installation required which I appreciated. I don't notice any significant drain on my computer's battery life when using the base.

This product is extremely well-designed, ergonomic, well-made and has the kind of helpful features people who use their laptops often really need. My laptop hasn't left my Lapdesk since I got it. Well worth the price. Great product! 5 stars.

The Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 is definitely a luxury and an imperfect product. The sound improvement is not nearly as good as desktop computer speakers. Still, it is an improvement over most internal speakers. Similarly, the cooling is not the best out of the available coolers out there. And the comfort of this unit as a lapdesk is also not the greatest. But the combination of all these features in one unit make this a serviceable product.

PROS:
++ Sound is a step-up from internal laptop speakers
++ Fabric bottom is thick enough and provides some friction for stability
++ Integrated fan provides minimal cooling for your laptop
++ Fan is extremely quiet
++ Thick plastic body deflects remaining heat away from your lap
++ USB connector powers the speakers and cooler
++ Includes on-board controls: on / off switch, volume controls and a mute button
++ Included rubber inserts can be placed in the fan grill to lift your laptop
++ Flip-up *tabs* in the front provide a little stability so your laptop won't slide forward

CONS:
-- Unit may be too heavy for some people
-- Sound is still not great given the MSRP
-- Padding is so firm it may be uncomfortable for some
-- No curve in the surface to allow heat to escape from under your computer
-- Curved bottom prevents the unit from laying flat in your lap
-- The unit isn't deep enough, so it's unstable if you put it forward so the curve hugs your knees
-- No mouse tray like the one in the Logitech N315 Portable Lapdesk
-- Fan doesn't have any speed controls; it's either on or off
-- The list price is excessive for what you get
-- Only available with the cream colored surface

The weight of this unit may bother some people, as it is a little heavy. This wasn't a huge issue for me but your mileage may vary. The weight and design will prevent some smaller people from using it comfortably in their laps. Those with a smaller laptop or a netbook should definitely consider the Logitech N550 Speaker Lapdesk. It will accommodate up to a 13 inch laptop, like the Apple MacBook Pro MC700LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop, or anything smaller. Just keep in mind that the N550 has no fan for active cooling, while the N700 does.

Comfort is an issue with all of these lapdesks. This unit has the thick padding and curved back that is shared by the Logitech N500 Comfort Lapdesk. That unit includes no cooling or speakers.

CONCLUSION

This is a good product that is a jack of all trades, but it's worth the compromises. It has some flaws, and it's not great in any one area. But the combination of features is unique. There's nothing else quite like it and I recommend it. Just try to get it on sale if possible.

Enjoy.

I was a bit skeptical as to whether or not I needed this product prior to trying it out. The feature that particularly appealed to me was the speakers. I frequently find myself having to take my MacBook with me when I'm listening to a podcast if I need to leave the room simply because the sound on my laptop isn't very loud. I seriously questioned whether I needed this cushioned lapdesk with a built in cooling fan.

My husband was particularly excited to test out this product. He does a lot of gaming on his laptop and frequently finds that his MacBook Pro gets too hot. He happily tested out the cooling fan feature on this lapdesk and reports that it works well. He finds the lapdesk to be very comfortable. I thought it seemed cumbersome.

The sound quality on this lapdesk is very good. I can easily plug this into my laptop and hear a pod cast or music from several rooms away. That's a feature that gets high marks from me since it means I will now be free to move about the house while I listen to a podcast on my laptop.

Overall, I think this is a pretty good product. Set up is a snap--simply plug it into your laptop and make a quick change in your audio settings and your done. The cooling fan works well to cool a hot laptop, the sound quality is good and best of all it runs off your laptop and not batteries. The lapdesk can stand on it's side making it easy to store next to your favorite armchair or couch.

This is a great gadget. I'm a big fan of Logitech products, so I was anxious to try this one out. What a great idea - a sturdy but comfortable laptop desk with fan and speakers. You literally plug it into the USB port, and it's set up - very simple. The fan is very quiet (I'll have to remind myself to turn it off), and it not only keeps the computer cool, it also circulates a little air to your legs so your lap doesn't get overheated. I'm someone who works with a laptop on her lap all day every day, so this is an innovation I can really appreciate. The speakers produce excellent sound, considering how small they are. If you work with a lot of sound or like to play music on your laptop, this is something you will really enjoy. The volume and fan controls are situated on the right side for convenience. Couldn't be easier to use. There are two pop-up tabs in the front to keep the computer from slipping off the desk. There were two rubber plugs that came in the package - I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with them. The directions don't indicate. The cushion on the bottom is covered with a nice, sturdy fabric, and it is wave-shaped to improve air circulation. Depending on how you like to position your laptop, you may not be comfortable. I had to work at it a bit. My other complaint is a bit more significant. The laptop desk I have been using for years has a surface that functions as a mousepad. This laptop desk does not. I can anchor a small mousepad under one side of the laptop, but I won't have much room to move the mouse around (and the mousepad would cover up the volume controls). That's a drawback for me, because I do use the mouse all day. That's really the only reason this doesn't get four stars. Otherwise, I think it's a great innovation. I definitely look forward to using it.

I cannot live without this (ok- maybe I can, but I DON'T WANT TO)!!

I've had this for two months and have used it every single day for as long as I am on my computer (which no one needs to know exactly how many hours a day that is...). I wish I had found it sooner, it is just perfect.

The speakers are great. Most laptops don't and can't have good speakers owing to design issues, cost issues, etc. I didn't consider the speakers on my laptop "bad" necessarily, but once I got this, there was no going back.

It's great for watching TV shows, Netflix's Watch Instantly, and of course music.

I also use is simply as a comfortable lapdesk for my laptop. It's fantastic for working in bed and I also use it on my desk. I enjoy having the keyboard tilted towards me and the screen a little higher.

The fan is amazingly quiet. I never hear it or even realize it's on!

One strange thing is that the headphone jack does not work when the USB is plugged in for this. Sometimes I would just like to use it as a lapdesk/cooling pad while I have headphones on. It's not a huge deal because it's only a matter of choosing between fan and headphones (which is why I still gave it 5 stars). But if you're someone who needs the fan on all the time and also wants the privacy of using headphones, this may not be for you.

Rather than repeat the praise so excellently offered in the previous reviews here on this product, I will point out that this is an example of quality design and build.

Works perfectly with my Dell Inspiron 1764 (17" display class laptop) even though the speakers are about one-half covered by the base of the computer. The rear-firing speaker ports and space afforded by the rubber tabs that raise the laptop for better cooling are all it takes to have great sound and effective cooling.

This is a very comfortable lapdesk. Great product, highly recommended.

The lapboard accomplishes everything that it sets out to do. You plug it into a USB port and you instantly (plug and play!!) have a nice, cooled laptop surface that I found reasonably comfortable to sit on my lap as well as some speakers that absolutely blow away anything that's ever been built into a laptop. The fan is nice and silent while still moving a pretty decent amount of air, the speakers were nice and loud didn't really notice much of a difference in my laptop's battery life either, which is a big plus.

Problems? This thing is big. Huge, even. When Logitech decided they needed to put out some quality sounds, they knew that the best way to do it was to get some good-sized speakers in the lapboard. That's what happened. This thing is huge compared to most products like it, but the sound quality compared to anything like it is second to none. You just have to know that is what you are getting into. I assume that anyone who considers this product is looking for something that will put out decent sound anyways, and if that's you, then this is definitely what you want. This thing sounds as good as any $50 set of nice stereo speakers (without a subwoofer) that you can plug into a desktop, you just have a nice package designed for working on your portable. Enjoy!!