Laptop on the sofa

CliffyG

CliffyG

CliffyG

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Joined
18 Oct 2002
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Cambridge
Have recently bought my boys a 17" gaming laptop and am trying to find a solution for them to play it safely on the sofa / bed / floor without stacking loads of cushions etc. So far I've only found 1 thing which is big enough for the laptop and a mouse which is the CouchMaster Basic. Quite pricey though (they will have to combine their Christmas money for it). Does anyone have any other suggestions? My DIY skills are rubbish so knocking something up myself is out of the question.
 
A desk.

Seriously, gaming on an unstable surface is a terrible experience with a PC. With a gamepad, sure, but with a keyboard and mouse, just no.
 
CliffyG said:
Have recently bought my boys a 17" gaming laptop and am trying to find a solution for them to play it safely on the sofa / bed / floor without stacking loads of cushions etc. So far I've only found 1 thing which is big enough for the laptop and a mouse which is the CouchMaster Basic. Quite pricey though (they will have to combine their Christmas money for it). Does anyone have any other suggestions? My DIY skills are rubbish so knocking something up myself is out of the question.
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A small foldable table that can be brought out as and when needed?

Hitman_Leon said:
Make something?
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CliffyG said:
My DIY skills are rubbish so knocking something up myself is out of the question.
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The couch masters are great but pricey. Their design is quite simple and could be replicated cheaply no doubt.

Your options are pretty limited if you want something stable
 
It's also worth pointing out that gaming on your lap is incredibly unergonomic, and the more you encourage your kids to sit and play in that position for hours at a time, the worse their potential RSI issues will be later in life.

Sadly, only around 1% of parents give any thought to that until it's too late.
 
Hi, maybe one of those small bed tables that some use for breakfast in bed!!!! They sell them on the bay (Laptop bed/sofa table) I don't know if they are any good though.
 
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Richdog said:
It's also worth pointing out that gaming on your lap is incredibly unergonomic, and the more you encourage your kids to sit and play in that position for hours at a time, the worse their potential RSI issues will be later in life.

Sadly, only around 1% of parents give any thought to that until it's too late.
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I would also bring this point up. If it was for 30 minutes a day, then you'll probably be fine, but i'm guessing as it's a gaming laptop, they will be sat with a bad posture for several hours a day.

Can you not connect the laptop upto the TV, and have a wireless keyboard/mouse that can be used fairly comfortably whilst sat down.
 
Semple said:
I would also bring this point up. If it was for 30 minutes a day, then you'll probably be fine, but i'm guessing as it's a gaming laptop, they will be sat with a bad posture for several hours a day.
.
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It's really an area that parents in general are woefully ignorant of due tot he relative newness of the conditions and dangers associated with them. RSI related health issues are a ticking time-bomb that are going to explode over the next decades and cost the NHS millions and also employers through time off work etc, and by the time your kid has it, and starts to do anything about it, it's almost too late to do anything other than control it for the rest of your life.

Kids start with technology yo young nowadays that more really has to be done to raise awareness of this.
 
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A cushion behind their backs and a dinner laptray. Or a couchmaster if you have deeper pockets.

And 1% of parents Richdog? An interesting statement. Source?
 
Ahh..

I think you're doing the parents of this country a disservice as every parent I know (my entire social circle since 1993 :( ) have a responsible attitude to computer use.
 
ExRayTed said:
Ahh..

I think you're doing the parents of this country a disservice as every parent I know (my entire social circle since 1993 :( ) have a responsible attitude to computer use.
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They may have a responsible attitude to computer use (ie limiting time and content) but I would wager most do not have an awareness of RSI related risks and preventative measures. If you have never had the issue it is generally out of sight and mind until you first notice it in yourself or someone else.
 
So then, getting back on topic, i just found this but don't know if it's available over here (although i'm sure you could get one imported if not)

Edit: it says they ship worlwide right on the page :o
 
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