Why so much laptop kit is aluminium
Aluminium is light, strong and does not rust. That is why most foldable laptop stands are made from it: the frame can be thin enough to fold flat into a bag and still hold a laptop steady while you type. It also feels solid, takes a smooth grey or silver finish, and looks at home next to a metal laptop. On hubs, adapters and drive cases it does a quieter job, as a tough outer shell that helps carry heat away.
How a product gets onto this page
Products are filed here by their own words: a product whose name or short description says aluminium is on this page. That means a few are here because one part of them is made of it rather than the whole thing, and the product description says which part. Each product stays in its own department too.
One stand here is sold in aluminium or in ABS plastic as two choices, so check which you are choosing.
What you will find in aluminium
- Laptop stands, the largest part: foldable aluminium stands, adjustable stands with several height settings, and vertical stands that hold a closed laptop upright to save desk space. There is also a desk clamp arm with a laptop tray, a monitor riser and a stand with a mouse pad.
- Cooling stands with one or two fans built into an aluminium frame. See cooling stands with fans.
- Drive enclosures: M.2 SSD enclosures and a 2.5-inch drive case in aluminium shells.
- Hubs and adapters: USB hubs, USB-C to HDMI and DisplayPort adapters, a USB-C to Ethernet adapter and a USB-C to USB-A adapter, plus a sound card and a cable lock.
What aluminium does well
On a stand, an open aluminium frame leaves most of the laptop's base open to the air, and the metal carries a little heat away where the laptop touches it. Look for soft pads where the laptop rests, which stop it sliding and protect its underside. The guide to choosing a laptop stand explains heights and angles.
On a drive enclosure, an aluminium case draws heat away from the drive and spreads it over the case, where the air can take it. A fast M.2 drive gets warm on a long copy, so the case matters. The guide to SSD enclosures has more.
Questions people ask about aluminium laptop accessories
Will an aluminium stand scratch my laptop?
Not where it rests on the pads. Many laptops, MacBooks among them, are aluminium too and scratch more easily than people expect, so keep the pads clean and in place.
Is aluminium heavy to carry?
It is light for a metal. A foldable stand is made to go in a laptop bag.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.
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