Awake

-Are you a God?
- they asked the Buddha.
- No.
- Are you an angel, then?
- No.
- A saint?
- No.
- Then what are you?
-
I am AWAKE.



Einstein

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure of
the universe"-Albert Einstein-


Om Mani Padme Hum

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 7 1-6


1. Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4. Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Review of my Airdesk computer stand used for my laptop

Just emailed my criticisms to AirDest thought they'd work as a review too.

Cross Piece
Hub
Bought my airdesk two or three years ago, it works ok, until your cheap, poorly made, plastic parts break. Already replaced the cross piece at the top of the vertical column, when it snapped in half and dropped my laptop to the floor about a year after buying. NOW the hub, the part under the desk, has broken. I'm deciding whether or not to buy another cheap, crappy poorly made plastic one from you, or have one made from aluminum as your's should be. You were smart not to have a way to leave your "unsolicited testimonials" as you wouldn't like mine. Although it's a good idea, your cheap construction ruins it.

ARE YOU KIDDING????? 12.99 ground to ship a piece that fits in an envelope and weighs a couple ounces????? I guess I did it once, but there are limits. It might cost me 2 or 3 dollars to mail a piece like that. Started to order but NOW I really have to think about dealing with people like you again, I may just toss this piece of junk in the trash....

Lee Murray

44 comments:

  1. I'd consider emailing the link to this post, sometimes it works and they might not want to risk bad publicity. You got nothing to lose.

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  2. I was thinking of buying one but im not sure now.. I want something sturdy.

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  3. I had no idea the hub or cross piece would be made of plastic. After putting $250.00 worth of this equipment in the shopping cart, I decided to review the product and I am glad I did. Cross pieces that will hold a computer and other things should be made of metal.

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  4. Sorry about the breakage, around 2009 the plastic parts were changed to a molded composite and we have heard of no failures since. The AirDesk is quite stable and we expect AirDesks to last your lifetime we encourage you to purchase a replacement cross fitting, in addition we agree with you UPS has a very high minimum price for shipping but we also get tracking and insurance and their service has been outstanding. Happy to help, Scott@Mtir.com

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    Replies
    1. He shouldn't have to pay for a part that you obviously knew was defective.

      Delete
  5. Update on my post from me regarding the computer stand. As you can see above last month I heard from Scott I'm assuming he sells airdesk, he sounds like customer service or an order taker. I posted the comment here but never replied because he clearly states the parts are still plastic and probably no better, you'd think for the price they ask they'd have reliable parts machined from aluminum, but no that'd cut into the profit. Since the last breakage I HAVE NOT used it, I haven't tossed it in the dumpster or on the junk heap yet, but it's taken apart and the parts are in storage where THEY CAN'T DAMAGE A 1500. COMPUTER AGAIN, by DROPPING IT ON THE FLOOR,(about 3 feet as I remember), AGAIN. For those reviewing the product, as I said in my post, based on my experience, it's a good idea ruined by crappy manufacturing. If you care about your computer equip. stay far away and get a computer desk or hold it on your lap, it's safer. As you see above, Scott had no apology, nothing but trying to sell a new and probably equally crappy plastic part, as well as trying to justify their too high shipping, apparently they never heard of Priority Mail, still high but not 13.00 to ship a two or three ounce item. To wrap up, while I haven't yet thrown it away, I'll most likely NEVER use it again, and in my opinion think no one else should either, you can see Airdesks lack of concern in Scott's comment, all they care about is selling a new part, who knows maybe they're designed to break so they can sell new ones????

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  6. That's too bad. I was looking to purchase one because I thought it was a great idea. Glad I googled reviews before I did. I just assumed it was made of aluminum.

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  7. Thank you as well.I was on the verge of buying 2 when I came across this.You saved me.

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  8. Wow, I was like just about to buy one of the three tier kind.

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  9. My wife and I have each had an AirDesk at our recliner for about 3 years. Both retired so at home most of the time so these get used a lot. Neither of us have had any issues with our AirDesk. We currently both have 17" Laptops so place quite a bit of weight on these. I would recommend the AirDesk.

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    Replies
    1. I'm really glad you've had better luck than I did. The computer I used on mine was a $1500. Sony, also 17" which now has a broken hinge making it impossible to close, possibly thanks to my defective AirDesk. It does make sense that some people have no problem, or they'd be out of business. What doesn't make sense is a total lack of concern for those, like me that do have problems, as expressed by Scott, in the comment above, who's only concern seemed to be selling a new part, not making the parts better or stronger, which leads me back to wondering if the parts aren't deliberately made to break eventually, so they can sell new ones... parts or AirDesks.

      Delete
    2. Lee I was unaware of your issue. I am an AirDesk employee. Please know AirDesks are intended to last for generations of use, if they do not, we messed up. They do not wear period, with the current materials, when there is a break or a problem, almost exclusively, customers have failed to follow or even read the simple instructions. The good news is there is a liberal guarantee, even if you failed to read the instructions. All parts are available if there is a minor problem, they will last generations, no matter what. Some parts are also sold so customers can change laptop sizes, customize, things like that.

      I wold love to know the defect you mentioned. I would certainly love to know if we did not take care of it immediately for you. Personally, I can not imagine not working on my AirDesk. I hope you are using yours.

      Thanks for the feedback!

      Ed

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    3. Hi again Unknown (aka Ed),

      Actually you commented in 2014 read down and you'll see the comment from Ed and my reply. Secondly blaming the user for a problem is typical of the level of customer non-service I've experienced. If you want to know the defect(s) I mentioned read the post, you obviously didn't before replying. I'm very happy for you, and the others whose airdesks work, but I'm sure there are many others like myself where they turned into expensive junk.

      Lee Murray

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  10. I too have had mine for several years with the only failure being the height adjustment ring. It did not cause any damage to my equipment. I remedied the problem by buying hose clamps which are cheap at any auto parts store. I loved mine so much, I bought my sister one and she too has used hers for several years and loves it.

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  11. Roger, The thing is who wants to go out and buy additional parts to make something work that should be whole to begin with? I was just about to buy one of these I am glad that I found this thread. Does anyone know of a competitive company who has since come along and made a superior product? If so can you please provide me with the name of that product? Thanks a bunch.

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  12. I'm grateful for your post and your blog. I was just about to buy an Airdesk, but won't now. If you have any alternative suggestions, I'd love to know since a back injury is keeping me almost horizontal. JC

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  13. We at AirDesk try our best to make every customer thrilled with our service and our products. We do not like UPS’s high prices either.
    Everyone should also know we have not had a single fitting failure since their redesign 5, yes Five Years ago. The parts above are of the new design so the photos should be removed or corrected. For hundreds of customer comments that are not 5 years old, please see www.airdesks.com/testimonials.html.
    JC, I totally encourage anyone with back, arm, shoulder or neck issues to try an AirDesk, especially with a recliner. No other product comes close to an AirDesk for comfort and adjustability. Loving mine now,

    Ed

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ed, hope you like working for airdesk. Just reviewing the comments I've gotten since posting this review. First you haven't made EVERY customer thrilled, I wasn't and I'm not. If you don't like the overcharge, if indeed it's UPS and not you, which I don't believe, then change it. Second, I tried to leave you a testimonial or more accurately a complaint, but your system wouldn't, or won't, accept anything other than glowing testimonials, which means there may be tens, hundreds, or thousands out there with experiences like mine, who were unable to complain, not having access to their own blog. So, so much for your testimonial page, hey, maybe you have somebody there writing them, or maybe not, we don't know do we? Of course I'm not saying you do, but anything's possible. All I know for sure is mine broke twice and damaged a 1500.00 Sony laptop making it basically worthless. But thanks for the comment anyway, insincere and self promoting as it was.

      Delete
  14. AirDesk,
    Send the poor guy a free replacement part. If you have no other part failures to your knowledge, what do you have to worry about? If I saw that you took good care of your customers, I would be clicking your purchase button right now!

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  15. I am confused. The new redisign was 5 years ago and there have been no problems? This guy bought his 2 or 3 years ago. So his was AFTER the redesign, right? I was about to order one, but not anymore.

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    Replies
    1. Hello again Anonymous,
      I bought mine in 07-08 not 2-3 years ago. THEY say there was a redesign and no problems since, but they sold it originally without admitting there were problems, or I wouldn't have bought it at all in 2007 or 2008. I'm not saying they lied, but the inference is plain. I replaced one part that failed, then another part failed dumping a 1500.00 Sony laptop on the floor and damaging it so that it sits under a table unused since. Can't bring myself to throw it away but nobody will work on it because apparently the screen needs to come apart to fix it. In any case they can claim what they want, but my feelings are screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me. They won't shame me again. I've had enough of their lies, and over priced shipping, the stand is still here, in pieces, and I seriously doubt I'll find a machine shop to make the pieces correctly, I'll just leave it in pieces until I throw it away or sell it for scrap. You did the right thing by not following in my footsteps.

      Delete
  16. Hi,
    Just for everyone. The product review on this page is for a product bought in 2007-2008. The problem was, for the reviewer, that hes cross fitting broke. Since then the product got an upgrade in the quality on those fittings. I made some research and i see no where of anyone that had any problem with their fittings. Even for heavy 17'' laptops.
    In my opinion all the information on this page that is talking about the product made before the fitting fix in 2009 should not be taking seriously as the problem seems to be fixed.
    I understand the reviewer is frustrated, because hes laptop droped on the ground and we all know how we feel about our electronics, but that one bad experience should not affect your decision.
    For any products sold in the world, there is always a small pourcentage that will have a small defects.
    From what i see Airdesks % of defects is well under the 1% mark. In my opinion this is excellent.

    Why judge on 1 bad review when there is thousands of good one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Anonymous,
      Another Airdesk employee speaks up, anonymously. Frankly, my post had as much to do with Airdesk's attitude and lack of concern as it did with a poorly constructed piece of something.
      To correct Anonymous it wasn't one shoddy piece of plastic that broke it was two. Also, if there were no problems, or none that they were aware of, why "upgrade" to a "different" PLASTIC, if indeed it is different? I wouldn't know, and neither will most others by looking. If they were aware of a problem it'd make more sense to eliminate it for sure by machining the pieces or casting them, in aluminum. But of course that costs more increasing the price, or reducing their profit. Like many other manufacturers it seems that Airdesk would rather risk a few expensive computers dropping to the floor, than give up a few cents in profit.
      In addition I objected to Airdesk charging 12.99 to ship a part that weighs a couple of ounces when it could be sent for a couple of dollars. I guess they add a couple more dollars in profit, but it doesn't help their customer.
      Why judge on one bad review, blah, blah? Well first because when I originally wrote this their website wouldn't accept a negative review. So how do we know how many problems there've been, how many 1500 dollar laptops have hit the floor? By the way, I still have that Sony, but don't use it, as the left hinge was damaged and I can't close it. So I took out the battery and it just sits, open, under my desk. Thanks, Airdesk...

      Delete
    2. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CROSS FITTING! I bought mine in 2015, (so they obviously haven't improved the part very much). Very poor quality & overpriced

      Delete
    3. Sorry just noticed this. So...they "upgraded the plastic?" based on the reply just above which was posted a couple months ago and purchased in 2015, they should do it again, and do it right, assuming they ever did in the first place.

      Delete
  17. Sorry, I forgot to address this in my last comment. Anonymous also said: "From what i see Airdesks % of defects is well under the 1% mark. In my opinion this is excellent"
    So, if they sell 5000 Airdesks 50 have, or could have defects? If they sell 50,000 Airdesks 500 have or could have defects?
    Assuming that it's 1% not 2 or 5 or who knows percent. Speaking as one of the 1 or however many percent this is unacceptable, and again demonstrates their disdain for the customer who pays a high price for a product that costs little. Probably the most expensive piece is the cast iron or steel base that weighs maybe 4 or 5 lbs. The rest is two hollow metal rods a couple shoddy plastic parts and the plastic shelf where the computer sits. The whole thing possibly costs as little as 25 or 30 dollars. I never looked to see if it's made in China, or where. But truthfully if it cost them a dollar made in China and it WORKED who cares, I'd be happy. On the other hand if it cost them 200. made in the USA and it DOESN'T WORK, and it drops my and who knows how many other, expensive laptops I'm not happy. 1/2% or 1/4% or less defects is NOT excellent Anonymous, no defects none at all is excellent.

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  18. Thanks Bill M. I was preparing to purchase airdesk and read your review. Definitely will not now. My biggest concern was not the product defect, but rather how they
    treated you. Customer service, should be ashamed.

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  19. I tried to order the airdesk. There was an error entering my card info. It says at the top of their website to call anytime. That is a joke. Rang and rang and rang. Finally says the verizon customer is not available. Then I tried clicking on the Email Us link. Guess what ? It don't work either. Can't even contact these people. BAD BUSINESS !!

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  20. BAD BUSINESS. I tried ordering twice. Both times got an error. The website says Call Anytime. That is a joke. It rang and rang and rang. Then said the Verizon customer is not available. So I clicked the Email Us link on the website. Guess what ?? It don't work either. Can't call. Can't email. And their payment proccess don't work. BAD BUSINESS !!

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    Replies
    1. Tim, I'm guessing both comments are yours, I have to say I'm not surprised based on my experience, but at the same time am surprised that they'd pass up a sale so easily. Makes me wonder if they're still in business, or on the way out. I still say if they'd improve the quality by using cast aluminum parts instead of saving a couple pennies with plastic they'd have a good product, and my 1500. Sony laptop would still be useable. But instead based on your review they've stopped taking orders? Amazing.

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  21. hay guys I build my hub out of wood 1 1/4" rd 3"long (45cents at home depot) and all will I will not buy from the mfg again I will make my own I have two of these desks like the ideal of the desk but not build for use needs to be upgraded

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  22. I bought my Airdesk a few months ago and have no problems, parts all seem strong and is sturdy. I researched a lot of products and this one meets all my needs. I had excellent customer service, no problem making order, and I called to follow up, very friendly and professional. I would buy again and have recommended. Sorry others had problems. The plastic molding seems to be strong to hold up for a long time.

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  23. Composite is not the same as plastic. Composites may have plastic as part of the material of construction but is reinforced, similar to fiberglass or carbon fiber used in race cars. And no, I am not an AirDesk employee nor have I been asked to make this comment nor have I been paid for it. I do intend to purchase an AirDesk and see for myself if its good or bad.

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    Replies
    1. After all this time I'd hope that the parts are made better, and I wish you the very best. But for myself I'll continue to avoid their products as I doubt they're any better and in my opinion are junk. Maybe I'm wrong, and hope I am for your sake and that of others who buy from them.

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  24. I was ready to buy and the airdesk responses scared me away - should have replaced the laptop and a new airdesk. Sad because looks like a great idea but not with my $4k laptop

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    1. Peronally I agree, I still have the airdesk in pieces in the junk pile, never to be used again, I just don't trust it, it cost a lot for something that will break and drop an expensive computer 3-4 feet to the floor. The Sony computer is stored in the closet battery out, as the fall damaged the hinge and it won't close, so I imagine it'll never be used again either, been replaced but just can't bring myself to toss it.

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  25. If I pay for shipping would you send your airdesk to me? I have a metal lathe and would like to see if I could make the pieces that need replaced.

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    Replies
    1. I'd consider it but it's not practical, as the plate on the floor is about 25 lbs. and it's bulky I'd have to pack it all up. I don't know how far away It'd have to go so don't know how much it'd cost you for postage. So while I wouldn't mind, it's just not practical. Maybe you can find another way.

      Delete
  26. I guess I will just buy one from the company. They only charge 20 dollars to ship.

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  27. In a previous post you said the plate was 4 or 5 pounds.

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    Replies
    1. Mr. Miller,

      Just weighed the plate on my bathroom scale which said it's 11.2 pounds. You're right in 2015 I said the heaviest part was maybe 4-5 pounds, and above I said probably 25 pounds, and I'm sorry, I shouldn't have guessed, I should have weighed it instead of guessing. If you do buy one its the plastic parts that are marginal at best and should be machined. The hub, and the cross fitting. Both broke on me, the cross fitting broke and dropped my computer. I replaced it, but when the hub broke that was the last straw. I admire that you have the equipment and the knowledge to machine the parts the way they should have been to begin with, and when you do will make the desk correct. If the Air Desk company was concerned about their customer instead of just their profit, they'd machine the parts out of aluminum and do it right to begin with. Again I really admire your ability I wish I had it. If it works for you, please let me and all who read this review know.

      Lee Murray

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  28. This was really an interesting topic and I kinda agree with what you have mentioned here! best modern l-shaped desk

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  29. I have added and shared your site to my social media accounts to send people back to your site because I am sure they will find it extremely helpful too. used computer desktop

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  30. I was going to buy an Airdesk and I would not have an issue replacing a broken part but the customer service demonstrated on this post is disturbing and I for sure will be looking to buy something else.

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