03-03-2004, 11:00 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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Build A Special Lapdesk For Your Pocket PC
You know, I am convinced that some of you readers out there (yes, YOU!) are among the most creative and ingenious people in the whole world. Whenever there's a perceived need for a special Pocket PC accessory that's either not available in stores or is too expensive, I can always count on somebody out there to find a way to build, kludge or bolt one together on his or her own.
Here's a case in point: Brad Isaac over at Pocket PC Addict needed a more convenient way to use his keyboard-equipped iPAQ2215 while sitting on his couch, bed and Lay-Z-Boy recliner. So, he re-invented and re-designed the ages-old lapdesk to suit his needs. In fact, he built a gorgeous one out of hardwood, leather-like vinyl and a few tools.
Brad has put together a set of very detailed instructions on how he built his padded lapdesk and has posted it for all to see. The design is elegant in its simplicity and his step-by-step instructions are so basic that even I can follow them.
This is one of those ideas that gives people flat foreheads from slapping themselves for not thinking of it sooner. Sure, the lapdesk has been around for literally centuries, but Brad's adaptation for Pocket PC use is new. In fact, after seeing how seemingly simple it is, I think I'm going to make a one for myself this weekend. [Just don't tell my wife...She's been talking about some "birthday"or something...]
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03-03-2004, 12:42 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 383
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Re: Build A Special Lapdesk For Your Pocket PC
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brad Adrian
[Just don't tell my wife...She's been talking about some "birthday"or something...]
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If she asks, just gift wrap that thing when you get it finished and sing happy birthday. Loudly.
Problem solved. :lol:
/jizmo
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03-03-2004, 01:59 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,734
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This is an example of what they call Carpentry Geeks at slashdot 
Anyways, very good work. I am just surprised at, after having done all that hard work he went with vinyl instead of leather, which will looks worse with scuffing, not better.
Surur
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03-03-2004, 02:45 PM
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03-03-2004, 03:26 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 176
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Brad,
thank you for the kind words  ops:  ops:
If you decide to go ahead and build one and get stuck or anything, let me know. It's a fun project once you get past the the "biscuit join". And trust me, your wife will love it! My wife is always running off with mine to pay bills or write in her journal.
Surur, I went with Vinyl because it was easier to come by. There isn't a local place where I could buy leather. Towards the end of the project, the anticipation was killing me :wink: I couldn't wait on having some leather delievered.
With that said, the rails on the back can be removed in 2 minutes and a leather pillow can be installed in a heartbeat.
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03-03-2004, 03:44 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 78
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Walgreens has a lapdesk, very nice plastic top and bean bag bottom. Price $9.99, very comfortable to use.
Concidently, I also use it for my HP ZD7000....it rulez! :lol:
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03-03-2004, 04:27 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 974
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I actually have a laptop computer that works well too!
Maybe someday we'll see laptop computers make it mainstream so we can all enjoy setting our computers on our laps, seeing a nice sized screen, be able to polay games, surf the web, type email etc...
:jester:
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03-03-2004, 05:48 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 65
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Re: Build A Special Lapdesk For Your Pocket PC
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brad Adrian
[Just don't tell my wife...She's been talking about some "birthday"or something...]
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My wife says I never listen to her
or something like that :wink:
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03-03-2004, 05:57 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 97
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by cybrwulf
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I just thought of a cool hack for this lap desk!
Since it has the light, it must have a battery pack stored somewhere in it. Hack that pack and space to have some extra batteries. Get a the appropriate DC voltage regulator and run a little cord. So when you are using it, you can also "hook up" to external power as well.
-nice, hmmmmm, I wonder how I could do that same thing with the cheaper Walgreen's version?
FYI,
Jim
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03-03-2004, 06:05 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
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That's much better than the lapdesk I made. Mine's a little bit simpler, though.
Step 1: Find a sufficiently large, yet thin book with a hard cover
Step 2: Place on lap
Step 3: Place keyboard on lap-desk-book
Step 4: Place iPAQ on keyboard
OK, not elegant, but I have simple needs. That real lapdesk looks great, and I certainly want something like that. And the "hack" for extra batteries appeals to me :mrgreen:
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