Categories: MacReviews

The ASTAND is a very cool (literally) stand for any Mac laptop

Macally’s $49.95 ASTAND is one of my favorite stands to use with my 15-inch MacBook Pro because it comes with a clip-on fan to keep the laptop cool. I’ve been test driving it with a 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro.

If you’ve paid big bucks for a Mac laptop, you don’t want it to overheat. The aluminum Macally ASTAND raises the screen up to a height of six inches. This not only allows air to circulate around a MacBook Pro (or MacBook or MacBook Air), but allows the viewing angle to meet eye level for an improved posture and view.

But back to cooling: the Macally stand also comes with a small “super fast” (1800 rpm) clip-on fan that adds another cooling element to the design. You won’t notice the fan when it’s running, as it’s practically silent.

Also, the ASTAND has raised front edges and a non-slip pad to keep your laptop from taking a fall or sliding around on your desktop. The elevated design allows you to store your keyboard/mouse underneath the ASTAND.

Some assembly is required, but Macally ships all the necessary tools (four screws and a teeny screwdriver), so it’s a quick, easy job.

One caveat: the ASTAND clip-on fan is USB, not USB-C, so you’ll need an adapter for a USB-C only Mac. Also, there’s no on/off button for the fan; you’ll need to unplug it to power it down.

The bottom line: the ASTAND is — dare I say it? — extremely cool.

Apple World Today Rating (out of 5 stars): ★★★★

Dennis Sellers

Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.