Cardboard laptop stand

cardboardlaptopstand.jpg

Tomas Carrillo designed this cardboard laptop stand:

I wanted something that could raise my laptop screen by 8″ and not show too much cardboard. The final result is a stand that is partially hidden by the laptop's keyboard and takes up a small amount of desktop space. Although this stand has held up well under constant use, I wouldn't recommend leaving your laptop on it unattended! I've included some instructions below if you're interested in building your own, or you can download a PDF of the instructions.

PROS: The stand has a small desktop footprint, provides decent monitor height, and is comprised of inexpensive corrugated cardboard. Also, the cardboard can be composted and recycled depending on the recycling facilities in your neck of the woods.

CONS: It's not the most robust or stable stand out there, and CD/DVD slots may be obstructed if they're located on the front of the laptop. Also, if you consider cardboard to be ugly, then it's ugly. Last but not least, it's not advisable to type or mouse on your laptop's keyboard when it's sitting on the stand.




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Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Anonymous on November 14, 2008 at 1:45 PM

Nice.


Posted by: Weazul on November 14, 2008 at 5:42 PM

That's so weird, I built a (crappier) one last night out of cardboard from boxes leftover by my recent move. But it allows me to have the laptop almost vertical. I don't trust it all the way.


Posted by: Juan on November 16, 2008 at 3:15 PM

Its a good simple design. To make it reliable enough to walk away from just use laminated layers of the corrugated cardboard. 2-3 layers alternated with a good strong spray-mount adhesive or Elmer's/wood glue should make for a plenty sturdy stand. And if you're extra paranoid adjust the layout to make the end product wider and a bit more stable.


Posted by: Luz on November 18, 2008 at 6:10 PM

Great job, Tomas! I've got some old political signs hanging around. Bet I could repurpose those with this!


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