Is a laptop stand worth it?
Short answer: yes if you have an external monitor, or if your neck notices after a few hours. No if you mostly work on the laptop display itself.
The honest answer first
A laptop stand solves exactly one problem: it raises the screen to eye level. If you already look at an external monitor, that is not its job.
What we use
A vertical UGREEN aluminium stand and a Lamicall tablet stand. Not for you if the laptop is your only display.
And the cables underneath
A tidy desk rarely fails on the stand and almost always on the power strip.
FAQ
01
Is a laptop stand really worth it?
If you work several hours at a stretch on the laptop: yes, but only together with an external keyboard. If you already use an external monitor, you want a vertical stand for space, not a raising one.
02
Does a vertical stand make the laptop hotter?
With the lid closed and an external monitor, the laptop is not driving its own display anyway. Metal-base stands also conduct heat away. In practice we noticed no difference.
03
What can I use instead of buying a stand?
A stack of books works surprisingly well for height and is the most honest first test. If a week on books feels better, buy one. For the vertical use case there is no good improvised substitute.
More: Setup Lab · Docking stations.