nerdytec Couchmaster CYWORX (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://www.nerdytec.com/en/Couchmaster-CYWORX.html
Lapdesks form part of a strange category in tech accessories; and is one that I learned of rather recently. As the name might suggest, it is a desk for your lap, from where you can use your tech devices from the comfort of a sofa or even a bed. You might wonder why such an accessory exists, and I was wondering whether couch gaming was a big enough market to warrant such an accessory But for people who are bedridden or bound to a wheelchair, such a device can be a game-changer. On top of being an accessibility tool, it can be a handy add-on for days you want to game/work from your couch or bed (who hasn't been tempted to during the pandemic?). For this purpose, I think lapdesks are quite appropriate for laptops and tablet use, but you can also use them with your keyboard connected to your desktop while you’re on your couch.
Couchmaster by nerdytec specialises in such accessories and covers the market for both desktop and laptop users. Being myself more of a laptop user these days, I was provided the Couchmaster CYWORX to review and looked forward to my first experience with a lapdesk. How did it turn out? Read on to find out more!
Before digging in, let’s see what you’ll find out of the box:
- 1x Couchmaster CYWORX bamboo lapdesk
- 2x Side cushions
- 1x Mouse pocket with velcro strap
- 1x Mouse pad with double-sided tape
A lot of lapdesks come simply with what is essentially a flat board with grooves to hold your tech devices in. The CYWORX surely comes with that, and this model’s material is made of bamboo. I am particularly fond of this aesthetic over the run-of-the-mill plastic or even metal finish. It packs several cutouts for specific purposes: a ventilation outlet on the left and a slot on the upper right side to hold your tablet or phone with an opening for your device’s charger. On the lower ends of the board are padded extensions that serve as wrist pads.
However, where nerdytec’s Couchmaster products differ from regular lapdesks is that they come with two rectangular cushions on top of which the lapboard sits. These cushions are made of memory foam and have a removable, soft textile cover. On top of providing more than decent padding for your forearms, they raise the lapboard and the devices it holds by 16cm. This makes for a more ergonomic positioning of your arms and reduces the need to bend to access your device’s keyboard. This is a common issue with regular lapboards as they merely rest on your lap, leading you to inevitably bend forward to reach. nerdytec’s alternative is a simple yet elegant solution that works, especially if you are using it in bed, with each cushion on your sides.
Moreover, given that the cushions are separate, you can easily adjust the distance between them to fit on your side. They also enable you to position the lapboard anywhere along their 60cm length to your preference. This ease of configuration for a custom fit is also a highlight of its simplicity and ease.
nerdytec also exploited the real estate that the cushions offer to include accessory pockets. On the right side, you’ll find two pockets that you can use to store chargers, headphones, or even a notebook. The CYWORX also comes with an additional mouse pocket that attaches via velcro straps to the side of the left cushion that faces you.
In use, the CYWORX is pretty comfortable and can hold a number of devices, based on your needs. I can easily have my phone, laptop, and notebook on the board at the same time, without the setup feeling crowded. The side cushions ensure that my forearms are comfortable and well supported while keeping the lapboard fixed. The latter, being made of sturdy bamboo, holds my tech devices in a stable manner while packing a classy look. The side pockets on the cushions are also quite handy to store in additional accessories that I might not need immediately but could use later on.
While I had a more positive experience than I thought I might have with a lapdesk, there are some aspects of the CYWORX that could do with some… work. For one, the placement of the ventilation outlet seems rather off. For an accessory that aims to improve ergonomics, the positioning of the airflow isn’t totally ergonomic. Being located on the left of the lapboard means that’s where nerdytec expects you to place your laptop, which will result in, at the very least, your arms and head tilting in that direction. In my opinion, a better placement would be in the middle so that your laptop faces you directly. But this would mean less space for a mousepad, so the ventilation outlet’s placement might have been a compromise.
Another aspect that feels off is the included wrist pads. While they are welcome additions, the way you will use your laptop/tablet on the CYWORX means that the wrist pads will actually be more of forearm pads than anything else. And if you position your laptop to the left as intended by nerdytec, it will mean you will have access to only one wrist pad at a time while typing; and your other arm, being in the middle, will be pad-less. A better option might have been to include the wrist pad extension across the whole lower length of the board. The padding could also use more work as they merely provide additional grip than padding as they are quite thin. A padding like the one used for the mousepad would have provided more comfort.
Regarding the included mousepad, it is rather large for the board and nerdytec includes a double-sided tape to fix the pad onto the board. However, I would recommend against this if you want to have the lapdesk be more versatile. By not taping the mousepad permanently to the board, you can easily add/remove it based on your convenience. And if you happen to need to write/take notes from your laptop screen, it’s much easier to write with your notepad on the board rather than on the mousepad with its raised edges. And if you want to have your laptop/tablet face you, the mousepad could get in the way of typing as the keyboard won't be on a totally flat surface. Nevertheless, the mousepad is a handy addition and I’m glad it is included in the package.
What I wish was also included in the package was a mug holder. Even if nerdytec sells modular add-ons like ashtray or phone holder for its lapdesks, it currently doesn’t have a mug holder option. A mug groove could even have been included on the board as I am sure many among you (like me), enjoy the company of a hot beverage while doing their internet things.
As an aside, you might have noticed two holes on the side of the board. nerdytec has not made their purpose explicit but I am guessing that these might be openings to attach extra accessories/modules to, should you want to get one.
Despite some areas that could have welcomed some polishing, nerdytec’s Couchmaster CYWORX is a handy lapdesk to own. Given its modular and relatively lightweight nature, it can easily be stored when not in use and set up in a matter of seconds. It offers decent space to hold a number of devices that can be comfortably used from your couch/bed. Moreover, even if the CYWORX model is advertised for wireless devices, it can also be used for couch gaming on your console/desktop as it can easily fit a wireless (or even wired) keyboard and mouse; or you can simply use it to hold your drink snack while you game on your console with a controller.
While the 124 EUR price tag might not turn everyone into a lapdesk convert from the get-go, it is an easy recommendation for a lapdesk if you’ve been looking for one.
UPDATE:
Following the publication of this review, nerdytec reached out to request a bigger laptop to be tested as this can improve the ergonomics and the cutouts would be more aligned. I did test it with a bigger laptop as you can see in the pictures below. However, the issue still persists in this case as the cutouts have been deliberately placed on the left while manufacturing the board. Maybe this could be less of an issue for an even larger laptop but I am not sure how commonly these are adopted.
Save for this new bit of information and pictures, the update did not change the content of the text nor the score.
Verdict
- Handy and comfortable accessory
- Easy to store and move around
- Easily adjustable configuration
- Bamboo aesthetic of CYWORX
- Weird placement of ventilation outlet
- Wrist pads could be extended
- Lack of thicker padding in wrist pads
