Most of us who rely on a laptop for work don’t actually use it on our lap. It’s more commonly sitting on a desk. And for many people (myself included) it’s being used in place of a traditional PC. That means the laptop essentially becomes a display, with a wireless keyboard and mouse being used for input. This setup can be an ergonomic nightmare unless you raise that laptop up on a stand, bringing the display closer to eye level. There are plenty of laptop stands to choose from, but the Yohann stand for MacBook is different. It brings a minimalist design aesthetic and the warmth of solid wood. This stand has the goal of optimizing ergonomics with an Apple laptop, but wants to add a bit of beauty to your workspace while doing so.
Unboxing and Initial Impression
The Yohann wood stand for MacBook arrives simply packaged in a plain cardboard box. Inside, was a beautifully finished chunk of Walnut. The wood’s natural grain popped, the entire object is precisely cut, sanded smooth and finished with an oil that brings out the color without making it unnaturally shiny.
The only hints to what it might actually be used for are a thin strip of black nonslip material on the lip, and the Yohann logo inscribed on the bottom. When I showed it to people, they agreed it looked very nice, but had no idea what it actually was.
This is a stand that is actually unable to “stand” on its own. Set it bottom down and let go, and it will immediately tip over. To use it, you open a MacBook, insert the front edge of the laptop under a grooved lip, then tilt the whole thing back. With the weight of the laptop, the stand is now balanced. It looks like there’s no way it should work, but it does. It also looks as though it would eventually bend the laptop case, since a lip of wood clamping down on the edge means a very tiny section of the surface is supporting all the weight, but all Apple laptops are made of CNC machined aluminum. They can take it.
In action, the Yohann stand is like no other laptop stand you’ve seen, integrating with the MacBook to form what looks like a sleek aluminum and wood sculpture. But it also fulfills the function of raising the MacBook so the display is closer to eye level. And with no surface to sit on, the bottom of the laptop should cool more easily. All ports are also clear of obstruction.
Compatibility
According to Yohann, this stand is compatible with 2015 and newer MacBooks, all MacBook Air models and all MacBook Pro with Retina Display models since 2012. I tested it with a 13-inch MacBook Air.
Yohann Stand in Use: Eye-Catching, But Not a Practical Solution For Everyone
This stand does the job of raising your MacBook display for improved ergonomics and saves desk space overall compared to many stands or just setting the MacBook down. It’s actual footprint is roughly 6-inches by 5-inches. And it does so while making a real visual statement. But that minimalist look does come with some compromises…
This may just be me, but with the stand support pushed to the front, instead of the typical position at the back, it looks as though it is taking up more desk space than it really is. This approach largely eliminates the open area beneath the laptop (as seen from the front) that most stands offer, which is often used for storage but also gives the impression of open space.
More importantly, although the setup is much more stable than you might expect on seeing it, you do need to use care around it. The bottom is wood and it’s polished smooth. On my desk it easily moved around if the laptop was accidentally brushed. The slippery bottom can be addressed with a few pieces of non-slip tape or stick-on rubber feet, but it seems like an odd oversight. Care is called for when removing a laptop because the moment the weight of the MacBook is removed, the stand loses that delicate balance and falls forward. Yohann says the stand can take the weight of physically typing on the MacBook’s keyboard, but cautions against resting the full weight of your arms on the laptop.
Finally, the MacBook lid cannot be fully closed, unless you’re willing to remove it from the stand, close the lid, then put it back. Sleep mode is still supported with the lid open that bit, but it looks sloppy and leaves a big gap where dust can get on the keyboard.
That being said, if you choose to use the MacBook connected to a monitor and with the display closed, the Yohann stand may be more practical — and you can switch it up with a different orientation and look.
Ecologically and Socially Sustainable
Another aspect of the Yohann story has nothing to do with the functionality. The company says its Oak and Walnut stands are made from a single block of wood that’s sustainably grown in northern Italy. The wood is sanded, then finished with natural oil and wax. The team responsible for the company’s packaging and shipping is made up of people with physical or mental challenges.
In other words, choosing a Yohann stand isn’t necessarily a cut and dry transaction based on price and features; there is also the matter of supporting an “ecologically and socially sustainable enterprise.”
Should You Buy It?
At $159 (Oak) to $179 (Walnut), the Yohann stand for MacBook is a relatively expensive solution and I wouldn’t say that it provides better value for the money compared to competing products. There are many very good stands for Apple laptops that cost a fraction of that price, and the Yohann design — which does have tradeoffs — isn’t going to suit everyone. That being said, it is a clever piece of equipment, and I love its solid wood, sculpture-like look.
Let’s just leave it as an attractive option for MacBook owners who have a thing for minimalist accessories.
Disclosure: Yohann provided a stand for evaluation but had no input into this review.
