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I use a laptop at work, and though I have a docking station, I use the laptop open because I only have one small external monitor otherwise. I use an ergonomic keyboard, which sits in front of the laptop. But that puts a fair bit of distance between my eyes and the laptop screen. (It's a 17" 1900x1200 screen, and I find myself squinting. I know I can adjust font size, resolution, etc., but I really just want the screen to be closer.)

What I really need is a tray or stand that I can put over the laptop and put the keyboard on it, so that I can have the laptop closer to me while I use it.

Any recommendations?

EDIT: What I'm looking for is something with a shape similar to this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PS3AIY/

Something that would lift the laptop high enough that I could put the keyboard under it would be an option as well.

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The keyboard would be too high, it would not be very comfortable, I suspect. – Snark Oct 14 '09 at 21:16
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up vote 2 down vote

How about a "make your own" vertical laptop stand? I've been meaning to try that one for a while but just haven't got the round tuit yet.

[updated]

Say, I just found this one at Amazon and you can see a bunch of similar "laptop risers" in the related products section. Turns out there's tons of 'em. Who knew? I don't know if these are exactly what you had in mind, but sure seems like they'd fit the bill.

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I've used something like the one from Amazon. Mine was specific to Dell, and the Port-Replicator attached to it. Not only can you get the monitor closer, you can get it higher as well. I was able to get the laptop monitor high enough that I could comfortably use it next to a 21" CRT with no issues. Also gives you a place to stash the cables. – BillN Oct 14 '09 at 22:50
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up vote 1 down vote

You're begging for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Why not just move the laptop?

enter image description here

@snark: You're right, my bad.

@Kyralessa: Don't get fixated on one possible solution. Presumably you've got a mouse, and we know you've got a keyboard, so why not spring for a monitor? Alternately you could look for an under-desk tray for your keyboard, those are extremely common. Or get a laptop stand to put the laptop OVER the keyboard.

I did some cursory googling, and I can't see anything like what you're asking for...Even if you did find something, I can't see how it wouldn't cut off the bottom part of the laptop screen.

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Why not just move the laptop? Because he uses the laptop opened, as the main screen – Snark Oct 14 '09 at 21:18
This "answer" does not answer the question. I'm not looking for advice on how to improve my life; I'm looking for a keyboard tray. (And you're wrong anyhow; you're more likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome by having your keyboard too low, not too high; having your keyboard high leaves the wrists relaxed.) – Kyralessa Oct 14 '09 at 21:50
This is for work. I already have one external monitor (which they gave me), but I don't intend to buy a second one with my own money. – Kyralessa Oct 14 '09 at 23:05
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