The iCurve from Griffin Technology

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/icurve/' target='_blank'>http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/icurve/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/icurve.jpg" /> <br /><br />It felt a little strange asking for a product that started with "i" (not having ever owned an Apple product), but when I saw the iCurve, I immediately thought of how useful it would be for my desk. I have two laptops: one big 17" widescreen and one little 10.6" widescreen. They look pretty amusing sitting next to each other. :lol: I had been using a <a href="http://www.laptopdesk.net/">Laptop Desk</a> on the small laptop, and while it works great for sitting on the couch, it's less ideal for sitting on a desk because it doesn't raise the screen very much, resulting in me hunching over the laptop. I also have a <a href="http://www.roadtools.com">PodiumPad</a> that the big 17" laptop was on. It's cool in that it rotates, but it only raises the back of the laptop up perhaps an inch - again, some hunching (though less than on the other laptop). Enter the iCurve.<!><br /><br /><a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/icurve1-big.jpg"><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/icurve1-small.jpg" /></a><br /><span>[click above for a larger version of the image]</span><br /><br />They were surprisingly well-packaged in the boxes, having soft foam wrapped around the entire plastic surface to protect it from damage. As the photo shows above, I set up both laptops on an iCurve. The iCurve is designed to life a laptop up closer to eye level, with enough space below to comfortably use a keyboard and mouse. That's not what I used them for. :-) I've found that with both laptops, it's surprisingly comfortable to simply type on the keyboard while it's sitting on the iCurve. I'm 6 foot 2, taller than most, so this might not work for everyone.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/icurve2-big.jpg"><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/icurve2-small.jpg" /></a><br /><span>[click above for a larger version of the image]</span><br /><br />The iCurve is constructed of a hard, clear plastic - and it looks fantastic. The industrial design is superb - the iCurve looks more like a piece of modern art than a laptop stand, and I think they look great sitting on my desk. I initially had some concerns about how well the iCurve would support my 9.5 pound laptop, but it feels perfectly stable and neither laptop slides down at all. There are four soft rubber grips, two on each side, to secure the laptop in place. Each iCurve comes with extra grips for those of you with laptops made of Teflon. The space underneath the iCurve might also be useful for me to cram the USB TV tuner and IR remote - I'll have to do a little experimenting.<br /><br />My only criticism for this product comes from my non-orthodox use: because I'm typing on it, there's a bit of bounce because the plastic support isn't 100% rigid. I think I can get used to it easily enough, and since most people won't use the iCurve in this way, I think it's a very minor complaint. You can purchase the iCurve directly from <a href="http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/icurve/">Griffin Technology for $39.99 USD</a>.

[brianchris]

WOW....just this morning, I meant to buy an (ugly greay flat metalic) monitor stand for my P5020D. Luckily, I forgot, and was planning to go back sometime, but on the very same day you post your review of an elegant and functional item that's specifically designed for what I intended to do. Needless to say, I believe I'll be picking one of these up. Thanks for your post......great timing :lol:

[sylvangale]

Umm... Why don't you just get a clear plastic telephone stand at your local office store for around $10. They come in various designs.

Standard Plastic Stand
http://www.keysan.com/pictures/tspk1406.jpg

[sylvangale]

For $20 at Office Depot

http://www.officedepot.com/pictures/SK/MD/753211_sk_md.jpg

[Jason Dunn]

Umm... Why don't you just get a clear plastic telephone stand at your local office store for around $10. They come in various designs.

Ummm...neither of the ones you posted on look like they'd support a laptop, let alone something as small as a 10.6" laptop and as big as a 17" laptop. Sometimes paying for hardware designed properly is worth it. ;-)

[James Fee]

Sometimes paying for hardware designed properly is worth it. ;-)I agree as I thrust my iPod up to the sky! :lol:

[sylvangale]

I use a stand similar to the one pictured below (but wider) for my laptop (15.1 screen) and it has served me quite well over the years. They are are VERY sturdy and meant to last a very long time, common in an office environment... they also give you room to store things under your laptop and side storage space!

These stands have a full flat surface which would provide a lot more security and better weight than two plastic bars. I would hate for my cat to brush up against one of those.

And though that $20 model pictured above is a bit much it should support a laptop fine and dandy... a very nice storage piece if you use an external keyboard.

There are also larger varieties if you go into various office stores or even high end business stores and find a stand that looks like a piece of art.

You can get this stand for.... $8.44 too! (and it's a brand name)
(Part #RUB2594104, Check out on froogle.google)
http://www.ontimesupplies.com/images/pics/TTEN1282.JPG

[dean_shan]

I like your collection of Despair (http://www.despair.com/) posters.

[Jason Dunn]

I use a stand similar to the one pictured below...

That's great that it works for you, but this is the third message from you trying to convince us that the iCurve is a waste of money and that a phone stand is the best solution. It might be great for you, but for me, there's a world of difference between an iCurve and a plastic phone stand. No one is demanding that you buy an iCurve, this was just a review of something that I thought was really well designed. I think it's time you just let go and let people make their own decisions - three messages on the same topic is enough. :-)

[Jason Dunn]

I like your collection of Despair (http://www.despair.com/) posters.

Thanks! They keep me completely de-motivated throughout the day. :lol:

[James Fee]

You can get this stand for.... $8.44 too! (and it's a brand name)Yea and it looks like it too. :roll:

[sylvangale]

Just merely pointing out the cheapest alternative from froogle.google.com.

Telephone stands come in various designs and in all shapes and sizes as individual tables, stands, or attachments. With pricing ranging from a mere $5 to thousands.

http://www.furnitureny.com/pictures/140_large.jpg