The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group
Users Helping Users
Joe Henry		  

Joe Henry says computing is not just about computers, it’s also about software, accessories, people, the help, the benefits and most importantly the sharing of ideas and experiences

For June PC Update I wrote an article about a friend of mine, Grant Walker. Grant is a Melb PC member who lives at the Barham Hospital and he is restricted to a wheelchair; He has limited use of his left hand and no use of his right hand. Grant has a number of computers that he uses to assist him in his art, desktop publishing, Web design and database work.

Timing

During the week prior to a visit to see Grant, I happened to be walking through the Bendigo store of a large national, office supplier and I picked up their Workplace Solutions catalogue. Later when browsing the catalogue I saw a Notebook Computer Stand and ended up buying it for Grant. This was good timing - I saved $30 - the stand was on special at $99.00 marked down from the RRP $129.

Description
The stand is described in the catalogue in flowery terms. "Providing you with the flexibility of the modern business landscape, the versatile notebook stand can go wherever your business calls. With adjustable height and a tilting top, it can be used in any environment, home or office. Silver finish with attractive black tops."
See Figure 1.

It's similar in size to a hospital meal table; one that can be used over a comfortable chair or over a bed, but has a handy, two-part work surface. The larger part can be tilted through a wide range of angles, while the smaller part remains horizontal.



Figure 1. The illustration of the Notebook
Stand from the Catalogue.

Packaging

The stand came flat packed in a single box 74 cm x 64 cm x 16 cm, weighting 12 kg, with a single plastic handle on the top. Since I have a large van, transportation to Barham was straightforward. All the parts and bolts were present, well laid out and well protected, packed in polystyrene along with an allen key, a spanner and a set of detailed assembly instructions.

The design of the stand is simple and clean; all the parts are well finished with no sharp edges. On the metal components all the nuts are welded to the inside of the pipes and the wooden panels had the nuts pressed into the panels.

Both the height and tilt adjustments are simple and easy to use.

Assembly was a breeze. The instructions were printed in clear, easy to follow English and contained a very clear parts list with a description and drawing of all parts and the required quantities. Even the bolts, which came in three lengths, had a spot of colour on the thread to assist in sorting them.

It could be assembled by one person, but on this occasion, Grant supervised the work. My partner Karen did the assembly while I took the photographs and passed her the parts as required. Assembly took less than thirty minutes - from opening the box to admiring the finished stand.

Configuration Options

Grant chose not to fit the base plate on the stand. This was to enable it to fit under the footplate on his wheelchair, as seen in Figure 2.

I think the base plate, which can be seen in Figure 1, could be used to hold a printer, but then Grant wouldn't be able to get the laptop into an ergonomically acceptable position. From casual observation it was clear that a base plate could also be used as a footrest and probably wouldn't last long. I would also have chosen not fit the base plate.

I was told at the office suppliers that you could assemble the stand with the two work surfaces reversed. This would mean that none of the wheels would need to go under the wheelchair or bed. It certainly would be possible to assemble the stand this way, but I would seriously question its stability and would not recommend it.
 



Figure 2. Grant Walker in his chair with laptop
on the notebook stand.



Figure 3. Grant showing the old and new tables.

Advantages

The Notebook Computer Stand has a number of advantages over a hospital meal table. It looks like a piece of home or office furniture, not a piece of hospital or industrial equipment. It is also lighter and has three big wheels, which makes it easy to move, and it has only one horizontal bar to go under the bed or chair.

Possible Improvements

The lip on the tilt table is a length of painted timber about 10 mm high. From Grant's point of view it would be better if it was about 20 mm high and had a small lip on the top. This would enable the table to double as a magazine stand and hold the pages open while he read.

When set to maximum height the table will not fit over a raised hospital bed, but it would be fine over a normal bed. Grant will still be able to use the table over his bed, but he will have to lower the bed to provide clearance for his legs. In Figure 3, the Notebook Computer Stand is shown at maximum height compared to the normal height of Grant's old hospital meal table.

Would we recommend it?

I'd have no hesitation in recommending the stand for use at a chair or by someone in a wheelchair. If the clearance between the table and your legs in the bed is sufficient it is also suitable for use by someone confined to bed.

I recommend using a product like a Targus Podium CoolPad or a Lapramp under a laptop at all times to create an air gap that will assist with cooling. This was not done in the photos. Using the notebook computer stand also enables the laptop keyboard to be presented on a user-friendly angle, which is the second major advantage of using one of these accessories.

I purchased Grant's table in early April when it was on special for $99 and the sale is over. I'm beginning to think now that I should have bought one for myself as well, and saved another $30, but you always think of these things when it's too late, don't you?

Officeworks advises that the notebook stand may not be displayed at all locations but can be ordered from any of their stores.

Users Helping Users

Helping Grant is a joy, not only because of his warped sense of humour, but I get to travel to Barham to visit him, and because his requirements cause me to think, and frankly, I get as much out of it as he does.
I have always found that the more you put in, the more you get out of something, so remember the Melb PC motto - Users helping Users.

About the Author
Joe Henry, joe@castlemaine.net.au has worked as a consultant and trainer for over 20 years, helping clients Australia wide to select, set-up, use and support computers and software. Joe is a former Melbourne PC User Group committee member and convener of the Melb PC Bendigo Group.

Reprinted from the July 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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