Comparison Borofone Eagle vs Gembird NBS-1F15-04

— Stand. Classic laptop stands include models that are not equipped with clearly defined additional supports — in other words, they are simply platforms, without legs or other similar devices. In practice, this means that the height of the laptop on the stand depends mainly on the thickness of the platform itself. Such models are lighter, more compact and cheaper than tables, but not as versatile (although tilt adjustment is often found among this type).

— Table. A distinctive feature of tables is the presence of fairly high supports. In practice, this means that the height of the laptop depends not so much on the thickness of the platform, but on the height of these supports. In most models, they are made foldable, which allows you to use the table also as a classic stand (see above); at the same time, tables have more extensive functionality, it is in them that you usually find pull-out drawers, a place for a mouse, etc. (see "Additional"). Another convenience is associated with the use of laptops in the absence of tables - sitting in a chair, lying in bed, etc.: if you have to hold the stand directly on your knees, then the table can be leaned on surrounding objects (for example, the surface of the bed). On the other hand, devices of this type are not as portable as stands, and they are more expensive.

— Stand. Lapt...op stands can be either floor-standing or tabletop. They consist of a laptop platform, legs or other support points that provide stable support for the structure. Adjustments in stands usually include the ability to change the position of the laptop platform in height and angle. Tabletop options allow you to properly organize the space on your desk or surface, placing the laptop in an elevated position and freeing up space for other items. Floor-standing options are great for conferences, presentations and off-site events, and they also work great when it comes to setting up workspaces in small rooms with limited space.

— Folding stand. Stands with folding or sliding elements in the design that can be adapted to a specific laptop. As a rule, the device holders in such devices support extension adjustment. Folding stands are compatible with many models of laptops, and their specifications often indicate the range of the minimum and maximum allowable diagonal of the laptop screen. Another advantage of the folding design is the compact size of the corresponding stands when folded, making them easy to transport and taking up a minimum of space in a bag or backpack.

The presence in the design of the stand of its own built-in active cooling system.

Active cooling is called cooling, in which heat is forcibly removed from a heated object. In laptop stands, this function is usually provided by fans. Such devices remove part of the load from the laptop's built-in cooling system, and also increase the overall efficiency of heat dissipation; this is especially true in hot weather. The main disadvantage of such stands is the need for power (see below); in addition, active cooling significantly affects the weight and cost.

In modern models, 1 or 2 fans are installed at a minimum, and in more advanced models this number can reach 4. It makes no sense to bet anymore, because. the area of the cooling system in this case may be larger than the area of the bottom surface of even the largest laptop. The more fans provided, the more intense the heat removal and the higher the efficiency of the cooling system (ceteris paribus, of course). On the other hand, the noise level increases noticeably, and there are “multi-fan” stands, respectively.

The diameter of the fans also plays an important role. The larger the fan, the more advanced it is considered: a large diameter allows you to create an intense airflow at relatively low speeds, which reduces the noise level compared to smaller options. On the other hand, the large size also affects the cost accordingly.

The highest rotational speed of the fans provided in the active cooling system of the stand (see above).

Rotation speed is one of the parameters that directly affects efficiency: the faster the fan, the more powerful airflow it creates and the more heat is removed. At the same time, only fans of the same diameter can be directly compared by speed. In addition, high rotation speed increases the noise level; therefore, comparatively slow but large fans are considered more advanced than small and fast ones with the same performance (see "Airflow").

The maximum airflow that a cooling fan can create; measured in CFM — cubic feet per minute.

The higher the CFM number, the more efficient the fan.

The presence of a lighting system in the design of the stand. Usually, this function is purely decorative: it does not affect the functionality, but it gives the product a stylish appearance.

The color of the backlight will be useful for those who want to match the stand with the design of the laptop or the decor of the computer desk.

Note that the ability to change the color is usually not provided in this case. So if several options are specified in the specifications, such as blue/green/red, it means that this model is produced in several versions, differing in backlight color.

Source of electricity for the functions of the stand that require power — primarily for the active cooling system (see above).

— From USB. Powered by computer USB port. The main advantages of this option can be called battery life and versatility. It is enough to connect the stand to the USB connector of the laptop installed on it — and it can be used regardless of the presence of sockets until the battery runs out, and if the laptop is powered by the network, then it is generally unlimited for a long time. Of course, you will need to use one USB port for use, but in many models this disadvantage is compensated by the presence of a USB hub (see "Additional"). But of the obvious shortcomings, one can only distinguish a decrease in the battery life of the laptop — after all, the stand also consumes battery power.

— From the network. Powered by a conventional household network 230 V. This option provides high power, which is more than enough even for the most high consumption cooling systems. On the other hand, it only works when there are outlets nearby and requires the use of a power cord, which creates inconvenience and limits mobility. Theoretically, the advantage of AC power is that it does not drain the battery of the laptop; however, in fact, this point can hardly be called significant, because. such coasters, by definition, are not designed for stand-alone use when you need to save battery. As a result of all this, mains power is very rare — mainl...y in the largest models.

The material from which the main element of the stand is made is the platform where the laptop is placed. The material of the legs (if any, see "Type") may vary, but this is quite rare.

— Plastic. The advantages of plastic are low cost, low weight, an abundance of possible shapes and colours, as well as strength that is quite sufficient for most cases. At the same time, it loses to metal both in terms of reliability and thermal conductivity — in other words, it removes heat less efficiently. As a result, this option is found mainly among inexpensive coasters.

— Metal. Most metal models are usually made from aluminium alloys. Such alloys are quite light, while they are significantly superior to plastic both in strength and in the quality of heat removal. The main disadvantage of the metal is a rather high cost, so it is found mainly in models of the middle and upper price range.

— Metal / plastic. Platforms that combine both materials described above in the design at once. Mostly these are models with active cooling (see above): a metal grill is made in them, on which the laptop directly stands and under which fans are placed, and the platform frame is made of plastic. This makes it possible to somewhat reduce the cost, while retaining the main advantage of metal platforms — the high efficiency of heat dissipation.

— Tree. This m...aterial for laptop stands can be attributed to the "designer" options. Wood has an attractive appearance, and is also considered more pleasant to the touch than other materials. At the same time, from a practical point of view, it has no noticeable advantages over plastic, it costs significantly more, and loses to metal in terms of heat removal efficiency. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to wooden coasters if style and aesthetics are in the first place for you, and the quality of cooling does not play a decisive role.

— Textile. A rather non-standard material for laptop stands, which, nevertheless, has its own advantages. So, some fabric coasters look like soft rugs, which can be compactly folded for easy storage and transportation during non-working hours. Such material passes air and heat well (manufacturers select the appropriate types of fabric), is quite pleasant to the touch, and looks good. Among the shortcomings of the fabric, it is worth noting the difficulty in cleaning — if it is enough to wipe the plastic or metal surface with a damp cloth, then the fabric stand will have to be washed (if such a procedure is generally allowed for this model).

Dimensions of the stand when folded. First of all, the convenience of transportation depends on this: if you plan to carry the product along with a laptop, you should pay attention to ensuring that the bag (case, backpack ...) has the right amount of space.

Note that the height of many models in the folded state is rather small, so manufacturers may not indicate it in the characteristics, limited only by the length and width.