New Ikea laptop stand is too sexy for its name
I think the newest laptop workstation from Ikea is far too sexy for its name. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to call something this sleek and modern “Dave?”
The stand is height adjustable and you can close the hull to hide the contents when the workstation is not in use. There is even a recessed shelf and a cable outlet in the back to help wrangle cable clutter. It’s available in both black and white, for a very reasonable $69.99.
33 comments posted
Posted by Kelly - 04/08/2010
We have the original version of the Dave – a less sexy and less expensive version with a flat top that tilts. I love the tray addition, as I am often trying to balance peripherals, but probably won’t rush out to replace our current Dave. The other Dave in our house, my husband, probably wouldn’t want me to replace him with a sexier version, either.
Posted by Dan - 04/08/2010
I love the design but doesn’t this fall into the “unitasker” classification? Laptops fold up so they can be tucked away anywhere and used on any surface. This device can essentially only be used for a laptop and means that said laptop now has to take up floor space
Posted by Brian - 04/08/2010
I wouldn’t call it a unitasker. With a piece of tape across that hole to keep from losing small things, one could use this for any number of art/craft projects performed while watching television. Crayons & coloring books, Pencils & sketchpads, maybe even needlepoint if we’re in the habit of getting lap-based things off of our laps. Anything with accessories and a flattish focal item.
Posted by Carson Chittom - 04/08/2010
I’m fairly sure that’s the ugliest “desk” I’ve ever seen.
De gustibus non disputandum, I suppose.
Posted by David Albee - 04/08/2010
Hey! What’s wrong with “Dave”?
Posted by Oonafey @ Little Pink Houses - 04/08/2010
I would think they named it Dave because it’s futuristic, after Dave from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
I agree with Brian, I think it would be great for a lot of small projects.
Posted by Sean - 04/08/2010
Why does it seem the main focus of Unclutter is to convince the reader to buy more stuff?
As for the product: I can just picture my forearms digging into the hull as I type.
Posted by Shalin - 04/08/2010
Cool! With a little imagination and paint you could personalize it well
–S
Posted by Christina - 04/08/2010
I agree with Oonafey – I’m pretty sure they named it after Dave from 2001: A Space Odyssey!
Posted by tolmsted - 04/08/2010
Do we have any idea when it will be in stores?
Posted by Erin Doland - 04/08/2010
@Sean — This isn’t an anti-consumer website. We believe in having the right products in your home to fit your needs. It’s about quality over quantity. Most of the products we feature are related to getting rid of clutter (like the ScanSnap to get rid of paper clutter), desk organization (like this Dave unit), small-space multi-purpose products (like ottomans that have hidden storage inside of them). My favorite topic that we revisit from time-to-time are folding bikes. I don’t have a need for a folding bike (I have sufficient storage for a regular bike), but I know many of our readers live in apartments and don’t have the storage luxury I do.
Posted by Robin - 04/08/2010
Love the blog, and Ikea, but I gotta say: that is neither sleek NOR sexy!
Posted by Dave Thielen - 04/08/2010
Aw, why can’t Daves be sexy?
Posted by Mike - 04/08/2010
So drive your car or take the bus
Lay your cash down, and put your trust
In the land where the furniture folds
To a much smaller size!
Billy the Bookcase says “Hello!”
Down to the Table, whose name is Ingo
And they stand near a ladder-back birch
But his friends call him Karl.
IKEA!
Just some oak and some pine
And a handful of Norsemen.
IKEA!
Selling furniture for
College kids and divorced men.
Everyone has a home
But if you don’t have a home
You can buy one there!
- “Ikea,” J. Coulton, 2006
Posted by Anders - 04/08/2010
This is called Dave because the youth market responds well to single-syllable male names. Apple has Mac, United has Ted, there’s even some guy with a list called Craig.
Posted by Ange - 04/08/2010
Am I wrong, or do you have to take the laptop off to fold the tray down? Or does it close “around” the laptop? (Hope that makes sense…)
@Anders – thanks for the laugh. I think I’ve heard of that Craig guy.
Posted by Dave - 04/08/2010
I find your accusation that “Dave” is an unsexy name offensive.
But these do look pretty nice, way nicer than the older version.
Posted by infmom - 04/08/2010
We have two of the original “Dave” laptop stands and my daughter and her partner also have two. I blush to say that the one that’s in the office at the moment has a pile of stuff on it that’s waiting to be put away, and my laptops are in their neoprene cases on the bookshelf.
The new version looks a lot bulkier than the original, which was minimalist useful furniture at its best.
Posted by Dave - 04/08/2010
I think it’s not sexy enough to be called Dave.
Posted by klutzgrrl - 04/08/2010
not bad, but I don’t get the closing cover thing. To me the laptop feels trapped between the sides. I’d prefer a simpler, open table. If I could get something in between this and the usual ugly particle board….
Posted by Kelsey S - 04/08/2010
I can’t lie, I might be in love with this! I’ve been searching high and low for a laptop desk that doesn’t look “flimsy,” and I think this one might just be it!
Posted by Pam - 04/08/2010
I agree with Dan. My first thought was this should be in the unitasker posts.
Posted by Edgar - 04/08/2010
I have the original “Dave” also, and i find this new revision far inferior/bulkier/unsexier than the original one
Posted by Shana - 04/08/2010
It is not cute; how do you not bump your forearms on it while using?
Posted by Adam - 04/09/2010
My stand from Wal-Mart (also sold at Staples) costs half as much and is far more functional: it has five casters so I can roll it around, the laptop tray tilts, and it has an extra, smaller tray next to the laptop tray that I have an LCD monitor on. This IKEA one seems both over- and under-engineered, and puts form over function.
Posted by reinkefj - 04/09/2010
Where’s the extension cord up the leg and a retractable plug at the bottom? Notebooks need power (for the most part) and recharging. Sorry but this sucks. Good effort, but not designed by a user. Does it telescope up and won so you can work standing up like Franklin or Jefferson? Does it pivot, swivel, or snake to serve while you sit on a sofa comfortable? Does it secure the notebook adequately to prevent damage in a fall or tip over situation? No, too “kool” to absorb the “hidden requirements”. Sorry, Dave.
Posted by Rik Ahlberg - 04/09/2010
I was disappointed to see that this thing is only table-height… I’ve been looking for something small lie tis to use as a standing desk in my home office. Any suggestions from folks here? I particularly liked this since it had some cable management and could close up to hide all the nerdiness…
Posted by Nat - 04/09/2010
I have the original Dave. I’d have to see this one in person to really decide what I think, but as a mom of a toddler and host of many playdates, I’d like one of these to be able to quickly hide the laptop away and use the surface for something else, such as food and drinks for my guests. It does look bulkier than the original, but the stand looks sturdier. Question is whether the tabletop is less wiggly than the original. My Dave wiggles a full inch up and down on the sides.
Posted by Onepot - 04/09/2010
Unitasker. Unsexy.
Posted by astrogirl - 04/10/2010
I would prefer a version that lets the air circulate underneath the laptop. The air vents on many people’s laptops are on the bottom, so even putting it on a flat surface, it starts to heat up after a while. The makers could have achieved this by making the surface more of a small honeycomb grid so air could flow from underneath.
Posted by ULiP - 04/11/2010
Be happy with the 70USD – in Europe (germany) the same unit costs 99EUR (~ 135 USD !!!) …
Posted by Crystal (Married To A Dave) - 04/16/2010
Personally, I think Dave is a damn sexy name:) Of course – I might be a little biased… lol
Posted by Jake - 06/05/2010
What keeps the laptop from crashing to the floor when the cat knocks into Dave?
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