Price When Reviewed

Not accessible within the US

Whilst the pandemic made working from dwelling extra mainstream, not everybody has the house nor privilege for a devoted workplace with exterior monitor/s, a desktop PC unit and standalone keyboard and trackpad. 

The actuality is that many individuals are nonetheless working from laptops on eating room tables, which isn’t precisely good for posture (simply take into consideration these cricks in your neck!). This situation has impressed Logitech’s new product: The Casa Pop-Up Desk, now accessible within the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. 

This multifunctional product appears like an peculiar e book when closed, however homes a number of surprises that may remodel your less-than-ideal work at home set-up right into a extra ergonomic expertise…in principle. But how does it work in observe? 

Further studying: Lap desk buying guide: Work and game comfortably from your couch

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Design and construct  

• Three color choices
• Houses a keyboard, trackpad and a compartment for cables/stationery
• Weighs 1.2kg (2.6 kilos)

Logitech merchandise are almost all the time high-quality, and the Casa Pop-Up Desk is not any totally different.  

When closed, the Casa appears like a big pocket book. It’s accessible in three colour choices: Classic Chic (deep gray and inexperienced), Bohemian Blush (pink) and Nordic Calm (off white) – I examined the latter.

That means the stretchy silicone strap protecting the ‘book’ safe is lilac, however this may differ relying on the mannequin you select. The case encompasses a cloth design that’s wipeable, although mine did choose up a small stain that wasn’t utterly eliminated with a moist material.

When opened, the entrance cowl expands out, then folds in on itself to create a stand – there are two protruding components in your laptop computer to nestle into, and they’re safe and durable. According to Logitech, the stand helps laptops from 10- to 17-inches, and might maintain gadgets weighing as much as 7.5kg (16.5 kilos).  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

The backside of the Casa has three compartments, housing a keyboard (the Casa Keys), trackpad (the Casa Touch) and a piece for the charging cable – however you might simply retailer pens or different small objects within the latter. The keyboard is smaller than an ordinary one, however not so compact that you simply’ll really feel cramped when typing.

It encompasses a vary of helpful shortcut buttons, together with a dictation button, a screenshot button and even an emoji button for utilizing in messaging apps. However, the keys aren’t backlit, so that you’ll want a good exterior gentle supply whereas typing.

The Casa weighs 1.2kg (2.6 kilos), which is a much like some slim laptops. Whilst Logitech hasn’t suggested this as a journey product, one of the vital pure use circumstances can be on a practice or at a espresso store. Sadly, the unwieldy construct implies that your bag will likely be hefty to hold round. 

Features and usefulness  

• Connects through Bluetooth
• Works with Windows, macOS and ChromeOS
• Uses Logi Options+ app

The Casa Keys and Casa Touch don’t require a dongle, merely connecting through Bluetooth. The Touch can simply change between as much as three totally different gadgets.

While the Casa Pop-Up Desk is technically suitable with all laptops from 10-17 inches, Logitech particularly suggests Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and iPadOS. The latter raises the prospect of utilizing the iPad or one other pill, although it’s not precisely designed for this use.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

If you need further customisation over your gadgets, then you definitely’ll have to obtain the free Logi Options+ app – it’s solely accessible on Windows (10 or later) and Mac (macOS 11 or later). Besides checking on the battery lives of your gadgets, it’s also possible to remap buttons, with all kinds of instructions to select from. You can even alter the contact and faucet controls on the trackpad and alter the cursor pace.  

The Casa Keys is quiet to make use of, and I observed little or no lag when typing on my laptop computer. I had minor points with highlighting textual content in WordPress with the Casa Touch, however it labored simply fantastic in all different purposes, with the gadget responding to fast swipes and shortcuts.

Battery life

When it involves the battery life, you needn’t fear. The keyboard can last as long as 5 months on a single cost, while the trackpad may give as much as three weeks of use.

These estimates are based mostly on round a full working day (eight hours) price of use. During my quick stint of testing, I haven’t made a lot of a dent within the battery lives of both gadget.  

Charging is through the USB-C ports on every gadget, and a cable is included within the field. Whilst I haven’t time to run this gadget to flat, Logitech claims {that a} one-minute cost provides you with a full day’s use on the Keys, as will a 3-minute cost on the Touch.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Price and availability 

The Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk prices £179 and is accessible both straight from Logitech or John Lewis. At the time of writing, this product isn’t accessible within the US – simply the UK, Australia and New Zealand.  

There is nothing in the marketplace that may straight compete with this product, however regardless, almost £180 is just not precisely low-cost. I’d solely think about the Casa if there may be presently no house for a monitor in your house, and also you’re in search of an all-in-one resolution that may assist provide you with higher posture.  

If the Casa Pop-Up Desk is out of your worth vary, then try our charts of the best laptop stands, keyboards, and mice.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Verdict 

There is not any denying that Logitech has created one thing solely distinctive with the Casa Pop-Up Desk. It appears refined, is simple to make use of and has glorious battery life. The pack away construct and deceiving e book design additionally make it an excellent ornamental piece for across the dwelling.  

Whilst it’s primarily an answer for individuals working from laptops with no devoted monitor or desk, a lighter construct would additionally permit it to be a useful gizmo for working when travelling or out and about in public areas. Plus, it doesn’t come low-cost.  

Specs

• Colours: Nordic Calm, Bohemian Blush and Classic Chic
• Total weight: 1.2kg
• Battery life: 5 months (Casa Keys), 3 weeks (Casa Touch)
• Casa Book dimensions: 29/160 x 230 x 290mm (shut/opened as laptop computer stand)
• Casa Keys dimensions: 17 x 112 x 280 mm
• Casa Touch dimensions: 14 x 88 x 125 mm