I’m not right here to promote you the concept of laptop computer stands—see that story right here—however if you happen to’re going to drop a small fortune on an iOS machine, it deserves a pedestal that enhances its sculptural craftsmanship. Apple has surpassed 2.2 billion energetic units as of February 2024, so odds are you personal no less than one. And if Apple made laptop computer stands, they’d appear like Rain Design’s.
Apple units are identified for his or her elegant simplicity, and Rain Design simply will get it. All of its stands disappear behind the machine that they’re meant to assist and don’t drown your office in visible litter. Most of its merchandise hover between $25 and $65 (excluding the $319 iGo monitor stand) and have iOS-esque finishes—silver, gold, house grey, black, midnight blue, and starlight (that champagne hue)—and most are designed with a cable outlet.
Apple carries Twelve South stands, however I desire Rain Design’s. They barely cheaper, with a greater diversity of kinds and colours. They usually’re sturdy, in order that they’ll nonetheless be holding sturdy even after you’ve changed your MacBook with its shinier successor.
Stability You Can Rely On
The mStand is my favourite of the bunch. It’s rock-solid, cast from a stable aluminum plate, and designed with a large base (7.5 x 10 inches) that makes it some of the steady stands I’ve examined. I very a lot respect the slot beneath to tuck my exterior keyboard and mouse when not in use. In case you collaborate in-person usually, the mStand360 mannequin provides a swivel base. Rain Design makes mStand variations for iPhones and iPads, too.
{Photograph}: Rain Design
In case you desire slightly extra flexibility, the iLevel2 ($65) allows you to dial the peak from 5.4 to 7.9 inches with a easy entrance slider. The mTower ($50) is a vertical stand that allows you to stow your Macbook upright, releasing up useful desk house—ultimate if you happen to use an exterior monitor. And if you happen to’re somebody who meant to work at your desk however in some way ended up on the sofa after lunch, the iLap ($45)—with its removable entrance cushion—is among the few lap desks which are simply as steady for desk work. (The iRest does the identical for tablets; all three cushions are detachable to fold down and pack.)
Prepared for Motion
The mBar Professional+ is the most effective moveable stand. The 5.5-inch elevation feels excellent for comfy viewing and typing. Once I’m not toting this to a espresso store, it stays stationed on my already cluttered desk, prepared for once I want a second display.
You probably have a pill, mBar Professional+, which works with most MacBooks, can be appropriate with the 9.7-inch iPad, 10.5-inch, and 12.5-inch iPad Professional in horizontal mode. It folds down to simply 9.5 x 6 inches and weighs lower than a pound; it is compact sufficient to throw into any tote bag, together with my Lululemon Boxy Mini Tote. Plus, it comes with a svelte pouch, like the entire firm’s moveable merchandise. In case you desire decrease laptop computer stands, the foldable mBar professional ($55) and the mBar fastened stand ($25) each increase your MacBook by three inches.
Rain Design isn’t out right here making an attempt to reinvent the wheel with flashy options. The corporate has taken the basics and made them higher, providing an assortment of stands that—on the very least—do not buckle underneath stress. Basically, Rain Design delivers what all of us need: unwavering stability, real thoughtfulness, and sturdiness that’ll outlive your Apple machine.