Stylish Stand: Rain Design mStand for MacBooks

Pros: Attractive, Sturdy, Integrated Cable Management
Cons: Not Adjustable
In Sum: If MacBook Pro silver is your thing and you don't mind a fixed height, mStand delivers
Pricing: $49.90
More Info: Product Page

Back at MWSF in January I got a preview of Rain Design's mStand, an anodized metal laptop stand designed with Rain Design's signature good looks. To my delight, a few weeks ago I got an email from the folks at Rain asking if I still wanted a review sample. Indeed I did. So now, after a few weeks with mStand on my desk, I can safely say it works, it's pretty, and it's not adjustable. All of which means it's a great fixed-height stand for your MacBook, PowerBook, or iBook ... particularly if you like silver metal and curves.

mStand is fashioned from a single piece of aluminum that's finished to match MacBook Pro's sand blasted, anodized look. mStand stands just under six inches tall at its highest point, and its laptop tray that accomodates computers with a depth of up to 10.4". The tray slopes forward at a gentle angle, which Rain Design claims helps improve airflow under the machine. A circular cut out on the rear panel provides simple, but effective (and subtle) cable management.

I set mStand up with my MacBook and external monitor/keyboard/mouse set up. As with other fixed-height stands I've reviewed, I had to place mStand on a platform in order to get it - and my MacBook's screen - up a few more inches to my preferred viewing height. That's not Rain Design's fault so much as it is a drawback of fixed-height platform stands, although Rain does offer an adjustable stand, iLevel, for $79.90

The height issue aside, I found mStand to be a top notch solution. It's sturdy and stable, and my MacBook didn't wobble on it under normal usage with an external keyboard. A front-edge metal lip kept my MacBook from sliding forward off of the stand, and rubber pads on the tray bottom and inside of the lip kept mStand's metal from scratching MacBook's plastic housing. mStand's look also matches the MacBook Pro line near perfectly, and the sliver metal goes pretty well with a white MacBook, too. I can't comment on how it compliments the Black, but I bet it works ...

Fifty bucks is a bit pricey for a laptop stand, but with mStand you're paying for form and function. The stand is stable, sleek, and large enough to accomodate even the 17" MacBook Pro. If you like the look and the height works for you, mStand is highly recommended.

Rain Design's mStand sells for $49.90 direct from Raindesigninc.com.

* * * *

Get the best price for your new iPod at PCPrices.net/iPod

* * * *
Noah Kravitz is the Reviews Editor for PBCentral. A writer, educator, and musician, he lives in Oakland, CA and is the author of Teaching and Learning with Technology.