Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Clever, aesthetically pleasing design
- Excellent battery life
- Range of remappable keys
- Makes working-from-home extra ergonomic
Cons
- Not journey pleasant
- Expensive
Our Verdict
The Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk is a good way to make working from house and not using a devoted monitor extra ergonomic, however its heavy construct means it’s not appropriate for utilizing on the go.
Price When Reviewed
Not obtainable within the US
Whilst the pandemic made working from house extra mainstream, not everybody has the area 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 obtainable within the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
This multifunctional product appears to be like like an extraordinary guide when closed, however homes a number of surprises that may remodel your less-than-ideal do business from home set-up right into a extra ergonomic expertise…in principle. But how does it work in apply?
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 completely different.
When closed, the Casa appears to be like like a big pocket book. It’s obtainable 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 maintaining the ‘book’ safe is lilac, however this can range relying on the mannequin you select. The case contains a cloth design that’s wipeable, although mine did decide up a small stain that wasn’t fully eliminated with a moist fabric.
When opened, the entrance cowl expands out, then folds in on itself to create a stand – there are two protruding elements 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 units 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 bit for the charging cable – however you may simply retailer pens or different small objects within the latter. The keyboard is smaller than a normal one, however not so compact that you just’ll really feel cramped when typing.
It contains 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 instances could be on a practice or at a espresso store. Sadly, the unwieldy construct implies that your bag might be hefty to hold round.
It appears to be like subtle, it’s simple to make use of and has a wonderful battery life
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 swap between as much as three completely different units.
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 units, then you definately’ll must obtain the free Logi Options+ app – it’s solely obtainable on Windows (10 or later) and Mac (macOS 11 or later). Besides checking on the battery lives of your units, it’s also possible to remap buttons, with all kinds of instructions to select from. You may 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, nevertheless it labored simply tremendous 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 can provide as much as three weeks of use.
These estimates are primarily based on round a full working day (eight hours) value of use. During my quick stint of testing, I haven’t made a lot of a dent within the battery lives of both gadget.
When it involves the battery life, you needn’t fear
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 obtainable both instantly from Logitech or John Lewis. At the time of writing, this product isn’t obtainable within the US – simply the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
There is nothing in the marketplace that may instantly compete with this product, however regardless, almost £180 is just not precisely low-cost. I’d solely think about the Casa if there’s presently no area for a monitor in your house, and also you’re searching for an all-in-one resolution that may assist provide you with higher posture.
If the Casa Pop-Up Desk is out of your value 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 fully distinctive with the Casa Pop-Up Desk. It appears to be like subtle, is simple to make use of and has wonderful battery life. The pack away construct and deceiving guide design additionally make it an amazing ornamental piece for across the house.
Whilst it’s primarily an answer for folks working from laptops and not using a devoted monitor or desk, a lighter construct would additionally permit it to be a great tool 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