While sitting on a couch watching a movie or television, it is nice to have snacks and beverages close at hand with a TV tray. When in bed, a lap desk can be used to support a laptop for work or entertainment. Sometimes at work, you need to get up out of your chair and work from your desk while standing. Normally you would need three different products for each of these situations. However, the new FoldPlay entertaining station offers a single solution for all of these needs.
What Is the FoldPlay Entertaining Station?
The FoldPlay entertaining station is the latest product by PortaEase. This portable tray table and laptop desk is designed to be used on a couch, bed, or even a desk or table. The height is adjustable and the magnetic top keeps the available storage boxes and computer stand from sliding around. Everything folds up for compact storage and travel. The FoldPlay entertaining station is now available for preorder on Indiegogo. The FoldPlay sells for $99 and comes with one storage box and a computer stand. Additional storage boxes and computer stands are available separately for $10 and $15 respectively. The FoldPlay entertaining station is expected to ship in August of 2024.
What’s in the Box?
The FoldPlay entertaining station includes the following:
- 1 FoldPlay
- 1 Storage box
- 1 Computer stand
How to Use the FoldPlay Entertaining Station
The FoldPlay entertaining station is easy to use and store. It comes folded up. The two legs fold out from the middle of the underside and two supports fold out from the edges and slide into one of two slots designed into the legs. This allows the FoldPlay to be used on a couch for snacks, controllers, and devices, or also as a standing desktop on a desk or table. For a lap desk, the legs can slide out towards the edges so the user can place the FoldPlay over their legs while seated. The FoldPlay has a metallic layer under the surface so that magnetic objects will be attracted to it. In addition, the FoldPlay can be used as a large mouse pad on a desktop and has enough room for both a keyboard and mouse.
The top of the FoldPlay is 600 mm (23.6 in.) long and 300 mm (11.8 in.) wide. When folded up, it is only 15 mm (0.6 in.) thick. The legs can be adjusted so the FoldPlay stands 212 mm (8.3 in.), 215 mm (8.5 in.), 275 mm (10.8 in.), or 300 mm (11.8 in.) high. The storage box is 108 mm (4.2 in.) wide, 130 mm (5.1 in.) long, and 50 mm (2 in.) deep. The computer stand can be adjusted to three different angles and c0ntains internal magnets to keep it from sliding on the FoldPlay desktop.
Why You Should Get the FoldPlay Entertaining Station
The sectional couch in our living room does not have cupholders and we have a ottoman in front of it instead of a coffee table. Therefore, when we are watching something on the television, if you have a drink you have to hold it in your hand. The FoldPlay fits perfectly on a couch and can be set between two people so both can keep their beverages and snacks in easy reach. The two legs are solid panels which provide a steady support on uneven surfaces such as couch cushions. Adjust the legs so they are spread farther apart and the FoldPlay easily becomes a lap desk you can use while sitting on a couch or in bed. There is plenty of room for a laptop, mouse, a phone, and other items you may need. The first thing one of my daughters thought of when I showed her the FoldPlay was that she could now play The Sims on her laptop in bed without having to rest the laptop on her lap.
At work, our conference room has large wooden tables with glossy finishes on top. While they look great, they are terrible when using a mouse due to the reflectivity. Since I prefer a mouse over the touchpad, I always have to use a folder or something to place under my mouse. For my most recent meeting in the conference room, I took along the FoldPlay and kept it flat on the table and used it as a large mousepad. I also sat my laptop on it as well as the mouse and it worked wonderfully. The surface worked well for writing since it is smooth and solid. Back in the classroom, I found it useful as a standing desk. Sometimes I want to stand up while I am working and the FoldPlay easily holds my laptop and mouse at the perfect height. I also found it great when presenting in class. I can set it on a student desk and it quickly becomes a lectern to hold my notes, laptop, and anything else I need. I no longer have to stray behind my desk or bend over while standing during a lesson.
Finally, the FoldPlay works as well outdoors as it does indoors. Use it to hold drinks and snacks while lounging in the backyard. Since it folds up nice and compact, it makes a great tabletop for camping as well. Use it as a small game table with the storage box as a dice tray or to hold game components while enjoying nature. It also works great as a place for setting an electric lantern and other gear inside a tent.
My family and I have been impressed with the FoldPlay entertaining station. In fact, I have found more uses for it than I originally planned. The top surface has a bit of texture so it is not slippery or glossy and wipes clean with a moist towel. I like that it provides a sturdy surface and the legs can easily adjust for different heights and uses. Finally, since the FoldPlay literally folds up so it is only a little more than a half of an inch thick, it is easy to store behind or underneath a couch or take with you to work or on vacation. It will fit inside a standard suitcase, but is a bit long for a carry-on suitcase. In addition to the FoldPlay, I also found the computer stand useful since I like to type with my keyboard at an angle rather than flat. The magnetic attraction to the FoldPlay also keeps the computer stand from sliding. The storage box also works well for holding food or other objects and magnetically attracts to the FoldPlay. While the FoldPlay would be worth the purchase for any one of these uses, because it can easily adapt from couch to bed to desk to outdoors, you will easily get your money’s worth of value out of the FoldPlay entertaining station.
For more information or to purchase the FoldPlay entertaining station, visit their page on Indiegogo.
Disclosure: GeekDad received a sample of this item for review purposes.
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