LapLogic offers the LapDesk in both a standard and wide version. The latter is great for wide-screen notebooks, left or right-handed mouse users or for simply giving yourself more space. The G800 ($69.95)is the smaller model (11 x 16 x 1 inches), and it's more portable. The wide W800 ($79.95) is less portable (it's 11 x 20 x 1 inches), but that extra space can come in handy; you can use it for a mouse, TV remote, books, etc. Unless space is at a premium, I'd recommend the latter.

I've test driven both sizes for about two weeks now on a MacBook Pro (15 inch), MacBook and MacBook Air. The LapDesks do a fine job of keeping all the heat the portables generate away from you bod. How do they do it? Thermal channels conduct heat away from your laptop; the LapCases have ridges that the laptop sits on, allowing air to pass under and around the computer.

Also, both sides of the LapDesk’s have a non-slip coating that keeps your laptop from sliding off. The coating works well even when the LapDesk is at a slight angle.

Another nice touch: on the flipside of each of the pads offer slots for storing CDs or other thin items. The Laplogic Aerogel Extreme comes in two color combinations: black (dark grey) on top of a shiny blue, and black (dark grey) over a shiny gold.

Thee LapDesks aren't cheap. But they handle their job -- keeping your lap cool -- with aplomb.

Macsimum rating: 9 out of 10

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