I have a large, cushy chair that I make my office because I don’t like to sit at a desk, and that means I need a comfortable but functional laptop desk.
I’ve tried them all. I never used the phone holder on the desk with phone storage I bought, and the bamboo desk with storage didn’t work because the pillow was too rigid. On top of that, I ended up with sticky notes along the right side, which wasn’t optimal, so I bought a small whiteboard to attach to the laptop desk.
Somewhere in my search, I stumbled upon this hidden gem. It’s a laptop desk with a smooth whiteboard surface. The pillow underneath is cushy but flexible enough to be maneuvered on your lap, and that’s a feature I don’t appreciate until I try another lapdesk and spend the day wiggling it around.
But there are plenty of other reasons to love this handy productivity tool. Let’s dig in.
LapGear Large Magnetic Dry Erase Board Lapdesk
Specifications
- Price: $24.27.
- Surface dimensions: 17 inches x 14 inches.
- Fits: Up to 15.6-inch laptops.
- Weight: 2.6 pounds.
- Features: Phone holder, elastic strap, magnetic surface.
Pros
- Versatile whiteboard surface
- Lightweight but sturdy build
- Affordable
Cons
- Scratches easily
- Included marker isn't great
- No storage
Unboxing the LapGear: Open, Unwrap and Go!
The desk arrives in a large, flat box with no packing materials. It’s shrink-wrapped, so you’ll merely need to extract the lapdesk and remove the plastic.
Included in the Package
- Laptop desk with cell phone holder
- Marker
Earlier versions came with an eraser, a magnetic clip and some round button magnets, but the desk I ordered didn’t have those. I never used them, anyway, and I only realized they were missing while writing this.
The desk ships with a marker in the cell phone slot. I’ve never used that slot for my phone. It serves as permanent marker storage. But the magnet attaches to the whiteboard itself, so you can rest it anywhere on the desk if you want to free up that slot.
You’ll need to remove the product sleeve, but once you’ve done that, you’re ready to start using your new desk.
My Daily Use: Why It’s Become Essential
While I’ve owned a whiteboard desk since 2022, I have to be honest — I’m on my third whiteboard desk, all identical models. Why? It turns out, with daily use, this item can accumulate scratches. I can deal with a few, but eventually, it gets distracting.
My most recent whiteboard desk replacement came thanks to a mishap with the feet under my laptop. For some reason, they slipped out of the indentations in the bottom of my laptop case, and the glue that was supposed to hold it in place got on the desk’s surface. I tried removing it with whiteboard cleaner, then alcohol, but that stuff was not coming off. For $27-ish, it was worth trashing it and buying a new one.
For most people, this lapdesk could last a long time. The marker will wear out, though, so you’ll need to grab some whiteboard markers. I like the JR.WHITE Fine Tip White Board Markers, but you’ll find plenty of options out there. In fact, I don’t even use the marker that comes with it because its heavy ink makes it tough to erase.
This desk is truly a productivity hack. Best of all? You can customize it to fit your needs. Some people use it to keep kids busy on road trips, while others track information while gaming.
For me, it’s all about organization. I keep my to-do list toward the top, then jot any notes near the bottom. If I think of something I need to do while I’m working, I make a note to myself. Then I can keep working and save that to-do item for the next time I get up.
LapGear Large Magnetic Dry Erase Board Lapdesk
What Works: Smart Design + Versatility
You’ll find plenty to love about the LapGear Large Magnetic Dry Erase Board Lapdesk. Here are a few things that have turned me into a longtime loyalist:
Smooth, Sleek Whiteboard Surface
The dry-erase desktop is the main attraction here, and on that front, the LapGear delivers. The surface is polished and responsive to most dry-erase markers.
But what I love most is that it turns my workspace into a scratch pad. Need to remember something as you toggle from one screen to another? No problem. Just jot it down and there it will be.
Conforming Cushion for Comfort
The cushion builds in plenty of flexibility. Simply set it on your lap and wiggle it around. If you do need to set it on a table or desk, you can maneuver the cushion to get exactly the angle you need.
Magnetic Surface
The entire surface of this lapdesk is magnetic, which comes in handy if you need to attach small notes or keep your marker close. As mentioned above, the desk no longer ships with magnets, but you can find those fairly easily if you need to clip things to your desk. I solely use the magnet feature to hold my dry-erase marker when it isn’t stored in the cell phone slot.
Portability
I sometimes take my laptop desk on the road with me, and I can’t tell you how easy it is to tote this sucker around. It weighs less than three pounds and even comes with a carrying handle to make transport a breeze. The only reason I don’t take it with me every time is that it’s not exactly easy to squeeze into a carry-on!
What Doesn’t Work: My Honest Gripes
After three years of daily use, you can probably imagine I have a few complaints. Some of these items aren’t issues for me but might be dealbreakers for you. They include:
Not Resistant to Sticky Messes
Why did the feet on my laptop case come off? I’m not sure, but I do know that once this lapdesk encounters stickiness, it’s done. And further complicating matters, whiteboards are sensitive to certain cleaning chemicals, so you’ll need to be careful what you apply to it. That issue doesn’t exist if you choose a lapdesk with a fiberboard or plastic surface.
No Built-In Wrist Rest
Wrist rests can reduce forearm fatigue when typing, especially if you sit in front of your keyboard all day. Some lapdesks have built-in wrist rests, but this isn’t one of them. You can find plenty of wrist rests online, though, and that lets you choose the option that best fits your needs.
Limited Included Accessories
As I mentioned, the magnets and eraser that originally shipped with this desk weren’t included this time. It comes with one marker, but I found when I tried to erase it, it left a mess. I was able to finally wipe the board clean, but it wasn’t worth the extra work. I switched to markers I bought separately.
Not Scratch-Resistant
I have no idea how my whiteboard desk gets scratches. My laptop has protective rubber feet on it, and yes, they do seem to come off eventually, but a MacBook shouldn’t scratch a desk. Yet somehow, my whiteboard desks always end up with scratches. If they’re in the area where I jot notes, the ink lodges in the scratches somehow, making them obvious. For the price, having to buy a new one every year or two is no big deal, but if you’re looking for a scratchproof option, this isn’t it.
LapGear Large Magnetic Dry Erase Board Lapdesk
The Verdict: Worth Every Penny, Despite Its Flaws
Nothing’s perfect, but LapGear Large Magnetic Dry Erase Board Lapdesk is one of my favorite things. If I travel without it, I realize just how much I rely on it for simple tasks like reminders and to-do lists.
I’ve recommended this lapdesk to so many people over the past few years, and I’ve learned that it’s not for everyone. But if you feel like it can enhance your productivity, go for it. You can’t beat the price, even if you have to replace it after a year or two of daily use.
