Comparison UFT FreeTable-3 vs UFT T4

The presence in the design of the stand of its own built-in active cooling system.

Active cooling is called cooling, in which heat is forcibly removed from a heated object. In laptop stands, this function is usually provided by fans. Such devices remove part of the load from the laptop's built-in cooling system, and also increase the overall efficiency of heat dissipation; this is especially true in hot weather. The main disadvantage of such stands is the need for power (see below); in addition, active cooling significantly affects the weight and cost.

In modern models, 1 or 2 fans are installed at a minimum, and in more advanced models this number can reach 4. It makes no sense to bet anymore, because. the area of the cooling system in this case may be larger than the area of the bottom surface of even the largest laptop. The more fans provided, the more intense the heat removal and the higher the efficiency of the cooling system (ceteris paribus, of course). On the other hand, the noise level increases noticeably, and there are “multi-fan” stands, respectively.

The diameter of the fans also plays an important role. The larger the fan, the more advanced it is considered: a large diameter allows you to create an intense airflow at relatively low speeds, which reduces the noise level compared to smaller options. On the other hand, the large size also affects the cost accordingly.

— Tilt adjustment. The ability to change the degree of inclination of the surface on which the laptop is installed. From a technical point of view, you can adjust the tilt in any stand — for example, by placing an object under one of its edges, or by holding it in your hands at the right angle; however, in this case, adjustment is implied solely due to the devices that are regularly provided for in the design — legs, folding supports, etc. This feature provides additional convenience — it allows you to adjust the location of the laptop keyboard at the most optimal angle, without using specific tricks for this.

— Height adjustment. The ability to change the height of the surface on which the laptop is installed. This function provides advanced customization options: you can set the optimal height (within certain limits, of course) right on the spot, without moving the structure to another surface and without placing additional objects under it. Height adjustment requires the use of special supports, and therefore is found mainly among tables (see "Type").

— Fan speed control. The ability to change the rotation speed of the fan installed in the stand with an active cooling system (see above). Due to the high speed, good airflow intensity is achieved, however, noise and power consumption increase accordingly, and it is far from always necessary to intensi...vely cool the laptop; at the same time, the "quiet" mode may not be effective enough for complex tasks with heavy loads on the system. Speed control allows you to adjust the operation of the fan depending on the current load. However, this must be done manually.

— USB hub. The presence of a USB hub in the design of the stand — a set of additional USB ports. This feature can be quite relevant given that USB is the most popular modern standard for connecting peripherals, and even one dedicated to powering the cradle can significantly limit the laptop's ability. The hub (splitter) helps to correct the situation. There are models with both one outlet and more advanced ones with four.

— Place for the mouse. The presence in the design of the stand space for placing a computer mouse; it can be either a separate additional shelf next to the main platform (often removable), or a part of the platform / tabletop that is not intended for a laptop. Anyway, this function will save you from having to look for a suitable flat surface to work with the mouse; and in some models it is even possible to choose the side for placing the shelf — under the right or under the left hand. Most mouse pads are tables (see "Type").

— Laptop holders. The presence in the design of the stand mounts for fixing the laptop. Thanks to such mounts, the reliability and safety of use are increased: the laptop will not fall off the platform even with a fairly strong shock, and in some models even when the structure is overturned. At the same time, when buying a model with this function, you should clarify the compatibility of the latches with your laptop model, especially if its size does not match the maximum diagonal stated in the specifications (see above).

— Built-in speakers. The presence in the design of its own built-in speakers; thanks to them, the stand can also play the role of an external audio system. However the quality of such columns in most cases is not very high; however, they sound louder than most built-in speakers, while not taking up extra space or creating unnecessary hassle during transportation (unlike traditional portable acoustics, not to mention full-sized ones).

— Drawer. The presence of a drawer at the stand — like those used in desks. The dimensions of such a box are usually small; however, it may well come in handy for storing various small things, such as personal records or external laptop media.

— Smartphone holder. The presence of a smartphone holder in the design of the laptop stand. It allows you to place your mobile gadget at hand in a visible and convenient place - this will come in handy when you need to work on a laptop and use a smartphone at the same time. Such holders are usually made in the form of a recess, a slot or a separate stand on the side - the smartphone is fixed in them mainly in a vertical position.

— Illumination of the case. The presence of a lighting system in the design of the stand. Usually, this function is purely decorative: it does not affect the functionality, but it gives the product a stylish appearance.

— Display. This function is provided in some advanced units with active cooling and extended capabilities (backlight, USB hub, etc.); in simpler units there is simply no need to install a screen. The display itself usually has a very simple design: a single-color LCD matrix capable of displaying 2-3 digits and individual additional symbols. This is quite sufficient to provide information about the operation of the electronic components of the stand: the screen can display, for example, data on the speed and number of fans involved, the operating modes of the USB ports, failures and malfunctions, etc. The presence of a display somewhat affects the price, but most often this point is almost unnoticeable against the background of the overall cost of a high-end model.

Source of electricity for the functions of the stand that require power — primarily for the active cooling system (see above).

— From USB. Powered by computer USB port. The main advantages of this option can be called battery life and versatility. It is enough to connect the stand to the USB connector of the laptop installed on it — and it can be used regardless of the presence of sockets until the battery runs out, and if the laptop is powered by the network, then it is generally unlimited for a long time. Of course, you will need to use one USB port for use, but in many models this disadvantage is compensated by the presence of a USB hub (see "Additional"). But of the obvious shortcomings, one can only distinguish a decrease in the battery life of the laptop — after all, the stand also consumes battery power.

— From the network. Powered by a conventional household network 230 V. This option provides high power, which is more than enough even for the most high consumption cooling systems. On the other hand, it only works when there are outlets nearby and requires the use of a power cord, which creates inconvenience and limits mobility. Theoretically, the advantage of AC power is that it does not drain the battery of the laptop; however, in fact, this point can hardly be called significant, because. such coasters, by definition, are not designed for stand-alone use when you need to save battery. As a result of all this, mains power is very rare — mainl...y in the largest models.

The material from which the main element of the stand is made is the platform where the laptop is placed. The material of the legs (if any, see "Type") may vary, but this is quite rare.

— Plastic. The advantages of plastic are low cost, low weight, an abundance of possible shapes and colours, as well as strength that is quite sufficient for most cases. At the same time, it loses to metal both in terms of reliability and thermal conductivity — in other words, it removes heat less efficiently. As a result, this option is found mainly among inexpensive coasters.

— Metal. Most metal models are usually made from aluminium alloys. Such alloys are quite light, while they are significantly superior to plastic both in strength and in the quality of heat removal. The main disadvantage of the metal is a rather high cost, so it is found mainly in models of the middle and upper price range.

— Metal / plastic. Platforms that combine both materials described above in the design at once. Mostly these are models with active cooling (see above): a metal grill is made in them, on which the laptop directly stands and under which fans are placed, and the platform frame is made of plastic. This makes it possible to somewhat reduce the cost, while retaining the main advantage of metal platforms — the high efficiency of heat dissipation.

— Tree. This m...aterial for laptop stands can be attributed to the "designer" options. Wood has an attractive appearance, and is also considered more pleasant to the touch than other materials. At the same time, from a practical point of view, it has no noticeable advantages over plastic, it costs significantly more, and loses to metal in terms of heat removal efficiency. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to wooden coasters if style and aesthetics are in the first place for you, and the quality of cooling does not play a decisive role.

— Textile. A rather non-standard material for laptop stands, which, nevertheless, has its own advantages. So, some fabric coasters look like soft rugs, which can be compactly folded for easy storage and transportation during non-working hours. Such material passes air and heat well (manufacturers select the appropriate types of fabric), is quite pleasant to the touch, and looks good. Among the shortcomings of the fabric, it is worth noting the difficulty in cleaning — if it is enough to wipe the plastic or metal surface with a damp cloth, then the fabric stand will have to be washed (if such a procedure is generally allowed for this model).

Dimensions of the stand when folded. First of all, the convenience of transportation depends on this: if you plan to carry the product along with a laptop, you should pay attention to ensuring that the bag (case, backpack ...) has the right amount of space.

Note that the height of many models in the folded state is rather small, so manufacturers may not indicate it in the characteristics, limited only by the length and width.

The size of the surface intended for the direct placement of a laptop. This parameter allows you to fairly accurately assess how the stand is suitable for your device — after all, even laptops with the same diagonal can vary slightly in length / width.

The maximum height that the worktop can rest on in the base table (see "Type"). In models that do not have height adjustment (see "Additional"), the maximum height is at the same time a regular working one, and it is worth choosing taking into account how much such dimensions suit you. If there is an adjustment, then the greater the maximum height, the more versatile the stand is, the less risk that in a given situation its height may not be enough; at the same time, this versatility increases the size and weight.

The total weight of the stand. You should pay attention to this parameter first of all if you plan to constantly carry the stand with you, along with a laptop — here light weight can be a noticeable advantage. But if you are looking for an option purely for home use, there is most often no need to pursue low weight: other things being equal, it can be a sign of a small thickness of materials and, as a result, relatively low reliability. In addition, a more massive stand is more stable, it is more difficult to budge or knock over by accidental touch.