A laptop stand made from a single sheet of recycled paper

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Price, value, and product concept

  • Many see ~$22–30 for a folded sheet of recycled card as overpriced, especially versus $3–20 metal/plastic stands that are adjustable and long‑lasting.
  • Several argue this should have been a free/tutorial design for reusing shipping boxes or other scrap cardboard.
  • Others counter that prices don’t track material cost alone; you’re paying for design, folding, and aesthetics.
  • Some praise it as smart, light, foldable, and “art-like,” but others say it feels like “laptop stand as a service” and a status/virtue item.

Sustainability and shipping

  • Strong skepticism that a “recycled” paper stand shipped from Korea is environmentally better than a durable plastic/metal stand, especially given logistics and short lifespan (moisture, wear, spills).
  • Counterpoint: if you’re buying some stand anyway, a recycled-paper option could be better than plastic, and all stands are shipped somehow.
  • Long subthread debates recycling economics:
    • Recycling often costs more than making new, especially for plastics; some argue that implies it’s environmentally worse.
    • Others note prices ignore externalities like pollution and climate impact; landfills and incineration have hidden costs.
    • Consensus that recycling is clearly good for some materials (e.g., metals, often glass), questionable for many plastics and sometimes paper.

Ergonomics and usability

  • Many criticize the typing angle: sharp front edge, positive tilt, and limited height increase are seen as bad for wrists and “tech neck.”
  • Several note laptop stands should primarily raise the screen and be used with an external keyboard/mouse; photos of using the built‑in trackpad contradict this.
  • Some argue any incline is harmful; others say on too‑high desks, positive tilt can actually align wrists better.

DIY and alternatives

  • Numerous suggestions: reuse books, boxes, binders, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, even egg cartons or Lego; or buy second‑hand stands locally.
  • Interest in reverse‑engineering the Miura‑fold pattern and sharing folding instructions so people can make their own.