Belkin justifies $30 for a pillow, calls it CushDesk
If you're still up for spending unnecessarily these days, Belkin has the perfect excuse to blow 30 bones on a couch pillow replacement. The oddly, almost comically named CushDesk, is nothing more than a sophisticated lap cushion with a somewhat sturdy top that acts as a portable tabletop for your molten-hot laptop. It's available in a number of soothing hues, and while it's fully compatible with mobile PCs and Macs up to 17-inches in size, we're still waiting to hear back about compatibility with UMPCs, MIDs and Linux-based netbooks.























Call it KushDesk and you open up a whole new demographic
Do people really need desks just to smoke weed? Or am I missing the point?
yes .. you have missed the point .... completely
Was thinking the same thing. ++ to you.
A) Have you ever tried rolling joints or cigarettes in your lap on a piece of cardboard or magazine? It sucks. OP has a good point actually, they should market it as such.
B) You don't see too many pillows with hard tops, I don't get why Murph's gotta make this sound like a stupid idea. I'm sure Belkin's making a nice 50%+ margin on this, but hey, welcome to America.
I use it for both. It's not a Belkin model though, just some cheap ass one I scored from IKEA. It works equally well at keeping my laptop and my legs cool when it's out of it's dock, and as a sturdy rolling platform for even the biggest of Blunts.
or...
I bought something very similar to this at officemax a year or so ago, absolutely loved it. perfect for kicking back in the recliner
The ikea one is definately cheaper
and it has a side pocket for storage,
however it is the least attracting item i've ever seen from them
by the way, is it just me or does that model look just like that girl from the real world?
If belkin wants to pay me to write a review, just let me know. It looks like it would be a great product. (If belkin offers enough for my review)
It will be fully compatible with UMPCs, MIDs and Linux-based netbooks as long as you keep those damn things on the cushion!!
Common sense not so common nowadays?
Yep, common sense is no longer common... but have you heard of sarcasm?
So if I connect a 15" screen to the Mac Pro, this will be compatible?
Btw, I'm sure compatibility with UMPCs, MIDs and Linux-based netbooks can be forced by placing them on it. Try it.
Yeah but if Belkin doesn't officially suport them, you're on your own when they start inexplicably sliding to one side, or the screen is un-level, etc.
Say it isn't so!
You're gonna have all kinds of system instability and potential for crashes
*rimshot*
Btw, I'm sure compatibility with UMPCs, MIDs and Linux-based netbooks can be forced by placing them on it. Try it.
Sarcasm.Try it.
I give up.
Although, to be fair, the hard top keeps the airflow to any laptop vents clear and will therefore prevent your laptop combusting. It's not a new idea though: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spongebob-Padded-Laptray-Lap-Tray/dp/B001E81QE6
They should totally bundle it up w/ a cushion for ppl to sit on and call it Bum-Top
Looks like a StableTable to me: http://www.comfortdiscovered.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=216
Theve had these things forever at office supply stores (and im sure walmart has a few..)
They are called lap desks or something like that, and $30 sounds about the going price unless you want one of the cheapy plastic ones that have bumps on them so they can't actually be used as a desk.
Oh this definitely is not a new idea. My parents have a pillow lap desk from like 25 years ago. Its just based off that same idea. Probably has a better top though for optical and laser mouse compatibility. My parents' lap desk doesnt work with those types of mice....
I already put a pillow on my legs to stop my future children from being burned. Not going to pay a premium for one that is built FOR laptops
Lack of ventilation through the bottom might overheat your computer. Be careful.
As long as the future babies are not overheating.
laptop>future babies.
FYI, you can always make more future babies (if you're a guy). What is it, like 30 days for a complete refresh of "stock"?
So (Laptop>Future Babies) ++
I think it is not only heat, but cell mutation through radiation. Keep it up and your babies will come with Bluetooth, bluray, blueskin, low resolution eyes...
Wonderful product. I would like to thank Belkin for giving the rest of us idea to to get board and staple a pillow to it. Voila.
Meh, I can see a use for it.
I may have to dual boot my Linux-based netbook so I can use it though, I'm not to pleased that Belkin hasn't offered any support to my platform.
You know... Belkin has the CushTop as well. http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=472656
I refused to pay $30 for it, but when a local K-Mart cleared them out (dusty and gross from sitting on the shelves at $30 a pop) for the lowly sum of $14.99, I hopped on the deal. What's interesting is that I find myself using it daily. The inner "hole" works great for cable management, or I typically just pop my Seagate FreeAgent Go in there, and run the cable up to the laptop. On my Latitude XT, the power adapter even fits in that area of the CushTop. This CushDesk looks to be a bit "shorter" in how high it boosts the laptop, and that's one of the key things I liked about the CushTop... So, I don't know how good this thing will work. I also agree that it's been done before, but is much more "standard issue" than Belkin's prior CushTop design, so maybe they are just trying to conform.
Still, it beats the shit out of idiots lagging out during a raid because they play with their laptop on their bed... Ya I know some clerics that could use this thing :p
Bah. This is just a lap desk -- been around forever. I have two of them. One was $40 at Borders or something, with a nice solid lip at the bottom to stabilize a PC or book, but with a leather "pillow" that gives new meaning to the term "hot as balls." The other one was $12 at Target and is nice and light and breathable with a large surface area. Must have for a work-from-home couch potato (for $12 -- more than that is ridiculous).
I'll assume I am the only one surprised to see that creepy girl bare-foot right there in the middle of the photo near her right hand.
That's no foot...
Looks more like a TushDesk.
But my Macbook Air gets to hot on a pillow. I think I might just get one...
i think is great idea, not that belkin is the first to do this, i actually i have one, a school student did this at peru and sold some, including to me
it is very funny to see how many people just fallow engadget point of view...
PS Engadget doesn't really have an opinion. They just couch things that way to get people to comment. It worked!
$17.99 at IKEA
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80115790
I got the same thing for $5 in store, must have been a promo.
Why not call it the iCushDesk, say it's designed for Mac, charge $80 for it and watch these things sell like hotcakes!
hahahah this post was actually hillarious!! i actually ROTFLMFAOASDKFJKLJ haha keep it up guys!
Vanessa =)
"Belkin has the perfect excuse to blow 30 bones..."
*gaydar...tingling...*
...damn internet...
gb2 Joystiq
We saw these stupid things at Frys selling for $20. I can't imaging why anyone would by one, when you can get a laptop cooler pad for the same price. I bought a Logitech cooling pad with a nice comfortable shape and a built in fan for a few bucks more.
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/notebook_products/stands/devices/5493&cl=us,en
Nice! My first Engadget post and I throw out a nice typo. By "by", I of course mean BUY. Brainfart!
I've seen similar products like these out for years.. what's the big deal about yet another version of this?
Belkin can't design one decent product that isnt junk or falls apart. Go to a store and that buys returns and sells them , its full of nothing but belkin and dlink products.