Good Questions: Sexy Home Laptop Table for Less?

Hello AT,

I spend a lot of time on my laptop and have been searching for an attractive side table to rest it on (as opposed to my lap – very bad for you apparently). There are many laptop tables out there but they tend to be pretty ugly – nothing that would double up as an ordinary side table for example. Until this… the Little Friend table by Fritz Hansen (pictured) which recently popped up on the DWR site. The only problem is the cost: a whopping $735 plus shipping and tax. And that’s just the fixed height version!...

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions

The height, tabletop size and look are perfect, but I don’t think I can justify the expense. Do you have any suggestions for alternatives that are just as sexy but more affordable? So far I am considering Room & Board’s Edit table (presumably a knock-off but taller than I’d like with a wide and oddly shaped tabletop) and the Nelson end table (classic looks but a bit too low and with slightly less useful legs).

Any other ideas?

Thanks, Paul

Comments (20)

Do not get IKEA's Dave laptop table. I bought it and had to get rid of it. It was quite unstable. Try CB2's peekaboo clear c table. http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=114&f=3008 It's $149, simple, clean and you can move it around.

I really like the bent ply Mag Table by Offi. It can be a low side table as its shown on the site, or you can stand it up vertically to use it as a laptop table. It comes in four finishes and is ony $139 to $159 depending on the finish. See it at: http://offi.com/products/tables/magtable.php

Funny how DWR is becoming more and more out of reach...

I am looking for a laptop table as well. I like the DWR piece in the picture, but the price for the adjustable height gives one pause. Although not much cheaper, I really like the look of the Archimede table (adjustable, with wheels):
http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=10260

Is DWR the only place to get this? Any chance it will be sold somewhere else or for less if I wait?

We bought the Bommerang table from the EQ3 (a great retailer from Canada with stores throughout the US) for this very purpose and it has been perfect. It is a well built table that can be height adjusted so it can be used with almost any chair or sofa, and it is a steal at $89. See it at:
http://eq3.com/cat-eq3/3020-032.html

Ikea quality isn't always consistent, so perhaps I got lucky: I'm using the Ikea Dave table at work, and I've had no problems with stability. It's not absolutely stable (i.e. the surface does rock left/right a teensy bit), but I keep a docking station on it and have no problems pressing my laptop into the docking station.

I recently did a HUGE search for a decent laptop table as a holiday gift for my husband and also came up short. I wanted something that would look sleek but be functional with a laptop. Meaning, I wanted it to be height and tilt adjustable as well as have wheels so I can move it easily from room-to-room. I didn't think this would be to difficult to find as laptops are are gaining more and more popularity in the homes... I was proven very wrong.

After watching the below video, I also realized I needed the table to have a "catch" for the laptop (like an arm rest) to prevent it from sliding off when the surface is tilted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly0-Vbqyby8

After pouring through dozens and dozens of less than "pretty" options, I decided that I have to give up looks for functionality and opted for a model from staples:

http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?prodCatType=2&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=151520&cmArea=SEARCH

My husband and I are now in the process of trying to return it as it is neither elegant NOR functional. It's incredibly unstable, the tilting mechanisms are difficult to control and the wheels don't even roll! I realize that at $59.99 I shouldn't expect much.. but boy - this thing isn't even worth 5 bucks!

moral of the story: I would also greatly appreciate a decenly priced, and decently styled laptop station!

Duh - I read the entry again and you are already considering the two tables I listed. You have good taste. ;)

I bought a white and chrome tilting tray table at Walgreens for $19.99.

Yes, it's ugly, but I put it away when I'm not working, and it folds up.

I can't use most laptop tables, because I NEED to use my mouse.

I second the suggestion of the EQ3 table. I was just in a store a week ago and found myself saying "Hey, this table would be perfect for working on the laptop in a chair/bed!" They were having a big sale at the time, also (it might still be going on - a lot of stuff seemed to be half off)

i like the R & B edit table. i'm going to go look at it after work. you just gave me a great idea for my husband's birthday present.

I have this one --http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/1,1592,a10-c440-p156,00.html -- Herman Miller scooter table and it works very nicely. May be too woody for your look, but it's good quality, about $330.

Uh, just to mention it again - the plywood mag table (on end) is meant for laptops, very cool, and can be a side magazine table when you are not using it.

Only 159 at Room and Board, no need to go to Offi - apparently R&B delivers fast anyway!

I like the computer tray table from Frontgate.com. It is a reasonable price and has some good features: Height adjustment, 2 trays, and a lip. I haven't seen it in person yet though.

I guess I'm pretty uncomplicated - I purchased an unfinished solid wood TV tray table ($14.99), finished it in a rich walnut/mohagany stain and use that for my laptop.

While I cannot roll it around (no wheels), it's surprisingly stable and I like the simple lines of the wood. There is about 8" of space on right left over for my mouse. And even tho I usually keep it out, it does fold flat and can go under or behind the sofa/couch when I want it away.

Well, this is not exactly a table, i would consider this more of a tray for laptops. It transforms into different configurations, and just might be able to fit the table description. Here is actual product called the lapdawg Laptop Tray

They have an excellent gallery of the thing on the right column. Pretty neat!

Here is my favorite config. http://www.lapdawg.com/functions/book-holder.html

TannFastic

I searched all over to find an over-the-chair/couch/bed laptop stand that had a low profile on the bottom so it would easily slide under low profile furniture. The problem I encountered in my search was that they were unattractive or poorly-built or too tall on the bottom to slide under most furniture. I finally found Lounge-Tek in Italy and their Wood Stands or Sail Stands definitely fit the bill of being "sexy" as well as affordable. Plus, I received my Lounge-Book in less than 3 days from Italy to the US. Here's Lounge-Tek's link: http://en.lounge-tek.com/imgsrcPortals27kgifalignmiddleBuyNow/tabid/307/language/it-IT/Default.aspx