Reviews for Rain Design iLap Stand for 15.4" MacBook Pro

I've had the Rain Design Stand for over 2 yrs. now. I've tried numerous others over the years as this is my 3rd MacBook. This is beyond any shadow of a doubt the best I've ever had. It keeps my Pro cool regardless how many hours it's on and in use.

I'd recommend this stand to everyone. Previous ones I've tried, the rubber pads
to hold your computer and keep it from sliding, always started coming off within a a few months. They may have cooled the computer from what it would be like without a stand but my computer still got hot on the bottom. Not with this one!

Being disabled, I use my computer in bed. Sometimes it's sitting on a pillow, sometimes on the flat surface of the bed itself, sometimes on my lap.
No matter where it is, I always use this stand.

The height/angle is adjustable and that section is lightly padded on the bottom. I assume that was intended to protect furniture, as well as be comfortable resting on you. It works. When I'm reclined and it's on my lap, it's still comfortable sitting on me with the adjustable portion forward.

The wrist pad/bolster folds up or down. It's velvet covered foam.
The foam has held up well and the bolster is comfortable to use.

Yes, as another reviewer commented, it does come off occasionally, but it's easy enough to put back on. You simply slide the underside of the "U" at the front bottom of the stand into the groove on the attachment part of the bolster. There is velcro type material on both the stand and the bolster to help hold it there. In order to wash the bolster, it has to be removable.

My only complaint is that after 2+ yrs., and all the use it's had, I've finally worn away the "velvet" nap of the fabric where my wrists or forearms rest, but that's
no big deal. It doesn't look as nice as when it was new with these shiny spots, but it still does the job.

Bottom line: A lot of thought went into the design of this stand.
Highly recommend.

19 of 20 people found this useful

I was pretty bummed when I first bought my MacBook because the computer was so hot sitting on my lap. I am a hot-natured person, so I would have to go find a desk or table top on which to sit my laptop so I wouldn't burn up! So I bought this iLap, and the difference is unbelievable. It sits comfortably on my legs, and thanks to the design, the computer stays relatively cool. The pads also make it much more comfortable to use my MacBook! I love this thing!

20 of 24 people found this useful

If you take off the cushion in the front (which as some reviews mentioned, kept falling off anyways) and put your macbook on it, it will slide right off! What kind of laptop stand is that?! I took the rubber bushings that came in the box with the iLap, which are intended to be attached to the bottom of your laptop and put them on the front end of the laptop stand surface to hold my computer in place. Once I did that, it works fine.

17 of 20 people found this useful

the first thing i have to say was that in the first couple weeks of use, the front velvet cushion smelled like plastic.

however, it did keep my notebook very cool. i even used it on my hp laptop, and was amazed at how much cooler it was. it really works.

also, it works on desks too if you remove the front cushion.

i was reading the reviews, and saw that many people complained about how it was hard to remove the front cushion. not true. its just velcro, and it doesn't slip off (that would be annoying when in use!) but it's definetly not a hassle to take off.

however, i'm not sure that it is really worth the 50 bucks. if you are intent on keeping good posture and a cool notebook, you should buy it but it is not completely necessary

15 of 16 people found this useful

I had the ugly dual-fan cooling pad, and it was nosily and took up a USB port. The iLap really helped with the over heating issues, and puts the laptop into a more comfortable position when typing.

13 of 13 people found this useful

I bought this lap stand for my Macbook Air 13". It was a little pricey but I was immediately happy with it when first using it. The sticky pads that come with it have stayed on the stand for months now without migrating at all and it really holds the laptop in place well. I can shift my laptop around without worrying at all.
At first I liked that it has a removable pad at the front, because it makes it easy to use either on a desk/table or on your lap, but I started hating it after about the first week when I noticed the material is a very annoying texture that basically acted as a fur-magnet (I have three pets). Seeing as it's now covered in hair and all attempts to wash it failed miserably, I just don't use it at all which then leaves me with an annoying Velcro strip that is constantly exposed and it just doesn't look nice.
I also thought I would like that it's metal and not plastic, but i can't stand it because both my laptop and super-drive (which I use often) have the same material exterior and when all three of them rub against each other it's worse than nails on a chalkboard. It could be worse and I like the idea, but you can probably find a better stand.

13 of 14 people found this useful

I do like the design very much, but it is uncomfortable when placed on my lap and the cushions are very cheap and so is the back swivel. For $50 I wish I would have seen this before I purchased it because I would have just gotten the CushTop from Belkin, which is much better, but obviously different in style. If I could recommend some changes on the iLap, I would at least put that tempur pedic memory stuff for the cushions and a higher quality swivel. I would not recommend this product to anyone, until some improvements are made.

15 of 18 people found this useful

After running some processor-intensive programs I found that after an hour or so the glue on the silicon nubs that rest between the iLap surface and your MBP start to slip. After a few months the glue is completely gone. WIthout the nubs my MBP slowly slides off the stand. Nothing a little superglue won't fix, though.

Very comfortable initially on lap or on coffee table. Highly recommended.

15 of 19 people found this useful

Very comfortable whether on the sofa or a motel room bed. Adapts easily to crossed legs, etc. But the most amazing thing to me is how much cooler my 15" aluminum PB runs. All PB users know how hot they get underneath. After working on the iLap for three hours in Photoshop and Dreamweaver -- heavy CPU operations -- the bottom of the PB is warm, but not hot. Amazing heat sink capability. This alone makes the iLap worth it, because it's extending the life of an expensive computer. If I had to cite an objection, it would be that the rear padded stand is riveted to the main legs. If it were detachable, the iLap would fit in my Brenthaven Trek backpack along with all my other gear. (Come to think of it, it wouldn't be that difficult to drill out those rivets and replace them with lightweight bolts and wingnuts.) But this by no means is a reason not to buy this. As far as price goes, $50 is a small price to spend to extend the life of a $2200 PowerBook. Footnote: That front pad is an answer to prayer when it comes to cushioning the heel of my hands from the front edge of the PB. Thanks, Rain Design. iLap rocks.

13 of 15 people found this useful

I just received my iLap today and really love it! My macbook pro fits perfectly. The velvet cushion is wonderful! I work on my laptop a lot and need the support for my arms. I no longer strain my wrists! I really recommend this product. It is a bit pricey, but it's worth it!

14 of 18 people found this useful