Just doing a quick google search as I am looking into purchasing a new laptop stand and was curious as to the progress of Crane’s kickstarter Elite stand from last year. Looks like Crane quietly slipped their release…
Here is a couple over views of it:
Djoybeat
ADJ
Curious as to the quality of these overtime. I’m weary on the aluminum top shelf as it looks to flex quite a bit and the risers part (which to me is the main selling point) don’t lock down completely as demoed in the ADJ video.
Has anyone used these yet or have seen these in person yet? What do y’all think?
I like the price, and just intend to use my laptop on them, but from the videos, they don’t express the long lasting statement of the originals due to the new materials. I imagine being made of aluminum as screwed attachments, Crane anticipates replacing parts that may bend. Hope to see DJTechTools do a review of the new product.
Me and thee have discussed stands numerous times - both being fans of the cheapo Maplins stands of which I still have 3 but I ab-so-lu-te-ly love my Crane Stand Plus.
£79 is a LOT for a stand but it’s foldability has been a god send to me on a hell of a lot of gigs to made pay for itself a few times over. The ‘Z’ position is one of my favourite sexual positions
The Crane Stand Pro is too rich for me and not necessary - the Plus rocks.
The Elite ? well I think it probably does everything anyone would need but I would only buy it if I needed it to be that flexible and I required it to work at a million different positions which, in reality I don’t.
Aaaaarrrgh can’t edit the typos and nonsense in my post. The forum is doing that weird thing again where when you click ‘Edit’ it brings up a blank box.
I can see how it’s worth £80 if you need portability - those Maplin Stands are great, but a pain in the a$$ to break down and build up again.
Come to think of it - I think I paid nearly £80 for my Uberstand. I think I’d prefer a Crane to the Uberstand for the money (but, again, the Uberstand is great for a permanent install).
Bloody expensive game, these laptop stands!
It’s the same as anything (especially in this game!) - if you’ll get the use out of it, and you can afford it, go for it!
Yeah the cheapest I got one for was £14 of eBay (in shelf). It’s probably a slightly less well built than the one you linked of which I one.
I leave the £14 one at my Tuesday residency and it gets used by another DJ and I’m constantly having to bend it back into shape (just slightly) so it doesn’t wobble. God knows what she does with it..?
My only issue with the one in your link is the rubber stoppers that prevent the laptop sliding off are a tad low. They were fine for the Macs pre-unibody but the bevelled edge of the unibody scares me in a club where it ‘could’ ‘possibly’ be knocked by a punter.
I once raised my hand to type something and accidentally lifted the Mac clean off the stand, I caught it as it started to tumble towards the ground… That was a very scary moment, my heart was in my mouth.
I got around that by attaching “cool balls” to the bottom of my laptop at the rear. It raises the laptop at the back just enough to give those little rubber stoppers enough of the front of the machine to locate against.
Thought I’d add some more info I came upon. Promise I’m not a sales rep for Crane (or any other retailer for that matter). But, I’d be down for a discount for the promo work…
Apparently, the allen screw designs allow different (future) trays to be switched out and there will be a way to attach the stand to your table with (future) attachments. This makes the unit more modular than current competing brands w/ expansion possibilities. Really cool. Also according to Crane’s Twitter, the Elite design is an upgrade from their previous flagship model. The price would indicate differently, but I think due to materials used, easier production methods, and competition may be reason of lower prices.
However, I have yet to see a couple things:
a promo video demoing a laptop or controller on this stand at full height (this would be a clear indication of its stability)
a page on Crane’s website (so far only found on distributors’ sites)
DJ websites (worx, techtools, digitaltips, etc.,) mentioning this item’s release or review (curious as to why?)
Since I am in the process of purchasing my 1st laptop stand, I am curious to this new one being from a top brand w/ significant differentiation from its competition and its own past models. I realize now the market seems flooded with so many options now (and a range of prices), but still haven’t came upon one yet that I like. This may be my one though.
