Home | Forums | Article Search | Subscribe & Shop | Contact Us | Log Out Logitech Alto Email This Print This View My Personal Library Heavy Gear April 2007 • Vol.7 Issue 4 Page(s) 30 in print issue Add To My Personal Library Logitech Alto Alto $99.99 Logitech www.logitech.com CPU Rating: 3.5 Specs: Full-sized keyboard; supports notebooks up to 9 pounds; USB 2.0 hub; LED status lights Upgrading your notebook generally means discarding your docking station or port replicator and replacing it with a new proprietary stand. Logitech’s Alto notebook stand occupies the middle ground: With its USB 2.0 ports, the stand offers connectivity for most common peripherals, even though it doesn’t include Ethernet, audio, or video ports. The Alto’s primary function is to raise the notebook so you don’t hold your head at an unnatural angle to view the screen. Logitech also integrates one of its outstanding, full-sized keyboards into the Alto’s base. The Alto doesn’t use clasps to hold your PC in place. Instead, it uses a ledge of rubberized material to hold your notebook in position; a collapsible stand then holds up the bottom of the notebook and locks into place to provide added stability. My Toshiba Satellite fit but didn’t sit quite as securely as a boxier ThinkPad. The Satellite’s sharper angles meant that it slid off the edge a bit. The Alto supports notebooks up to 9 pounds. Although its design attempts to maximize compatibility with laptops, the Alto locks into only one position, making for a nonadjustable stand. I liked the notebook’s position, so this wasn’t really a problem. It might be a concern if you are significantly above or below average height, though. The Alto includes a USB 2.0 hub with three USB ports. The hub and USB ports share the USB connection by which you connect the Alto’s integrated keyboard to your notebook. When it’s not in use, the Alto folds up and locks into storage position with a hidden, magnetized latch. It’s probably a little bit long to be considered easily portable, but users with larger notebook cases should be able to move it. With its all-black design and orange, backlit LED indicators, the Alto looks sharp. All in all, the Alto is an attractive package, but you’ll be wise to try it out with your notebook before purchasing. by Shawn Mummert  User Reviews Be the first to write a review of this product Want more information about a topic you found of interest while reading this article? Type a word or phrase that identifies the topic and click "Search" to find relevant articles from within our editorial database. Enter A Subject (key words or a phrase): ALL Words (‘digital’ AND ‘photography’) ANY Words (‘digital’ OR ‘photography’) Exact Match ('digital photography'- all words MUST appear together) Home      Copyright & Legal Information      Privacy Policy      Site Map      Contact Us Copyright © 2010 Sandhills Publishing Company U.S.A. All rights reserved.