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 angle of inclination of the surface on which the laptop is mounted. Technically, the tilt can be adjusted on any stand — by placing an object under one of its edges or holding it at the desired angle; however, in this case, adjustment is exclusively due to the devices provided in the design — legs, foldable supports, etc. This feature provides additional convenience — it allows you to set the position of the laptop keyboard at the most optimal angle, without using any specific tricks.

— Height Adjustment. The ability to change the height of the surface on which the laptop is placed. This feature offers enhanced tuning options: you can set the optimal height (within certain limits, of course) right on the spot, without moving the structure to another surface or placing additional objects under it. Height adjustment requires the use of special supports and is therefore mainly found among tables (see “Type”).

— 360° Rotation. The presence of a rotating platform on a bearing or friction disk, which allows the screen to be turned in any direction without rearranging the base. The practical purpose is to quickly share a presentation with a colleague, point the camera during a call, switch between an external monitor and the viewer at the table, without pulling cables or scratching the tabletop. Compared to fixed sta...nds, such a unit enhances ergonomics and saves time, but requires a sufficient base area and load capacity so that the laptop does not tip when rotating; it's good if there is a rubber coating and a ring for cable management — thus the rotation remains smooth and safe. In everyday use and offices, it is convenient on narrow tables, in classrooms, and in kitchens, where the laptop is often turned to the interlocutor or the cooking area.

— Fan Speed Adjustment. The ability to change the fan speed installed in the stand with an active cooling system (see above). With high speed, good airflow intensity is achieved, but noise and power consumption increase accordingly, and intensive cooling of the laptop is not always needed; at the same time, a “quiet” mode may be insufficiently effective for complex tasks with high system loads. Speed adjustment allows you to adjust the fan's performance depending on the current load. However, this needs to be done manually.

— Place for Mouse. The presence of a place in the construction of the stand to accommodate a computer mouse; it can be either a separate additional shelf next to the main platform (often removable) or a part of the platform/desktop not intended for the laptop. In any case, this feature will eliminate the need to search for a suitable flat surface for working with the mouse; and in some models, it is possible to even choose the side of the shelf placement — for right- or left-handed use. Most stands with a mouse place are related to tables (see “Type”).

— Laptop Locks. The presence of fastening fixtures in the construction of the stand for securing the laptop. With such fastenings, reliability and safety of use increase: the laptop will not fall off the platform even with a fairly strong shake, and in some models — even when the structure is turned over. However, when purchasing a model with this function, it is worth checking the compatibility of the locks with your laptop model, especially if its size does not match the maximum diagonal declared in the specifications (see above).

— Built-in Speakers. The presence of built-in speakers in the design; thanks to them, the stand can also act as an external audio system. However, the quality of such speakers is usually not very high; nevertheless, they sound louder than most built-in speakers while not taking up additional space and creating no extra hassle during transportation (unlike traditional portable acoustics, not to mention full-sized ones).

— Sliding Drawer. The presence of a sliding drawer in the stand — similar to those used in desks. The dimensions of such a drawer are usually small; nevertheless, it can be quite useful for storing various small items, such as personal notes or external storage devices for the laptop.

— Smartphone Holder. The presence of a holder for a smartphone in the laptop stand design. It allows placing a mobile gadget at hand in a visible and convenient place — this comes in handy when it is necessary to work on the laptop and use the smartphone simultaneously. Such holders are usually made in the form of a notch, slot, or separate stand on the side — the smartphone is fixed in them mainly in a vertical position.

— Display. This feature is equipped in certain advanced stands with active cooling and extended capabilities (lighting, USB hub, etc.); in simpler products, installing a screen is simply unnecessary. The display itself usually has a very basic design: a monochrome LCD capable of displaying 2–3 digits and some additional symbols. This is quite enough to inform about the operation of the electronic components of the stand: for example, the screen can display data on the speed and number of fans involved, USB port operating modes, failures, and malfunctions, etc. The presence of a display somewhat affects the cost, but most often this moment is almost imperceptible 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.