140 MacDirectory
INTERVIEW
LAPWORKS > GOOD ERGONOMICS EQUALS GOOD ECONOMICS
Laptops have gone from a high-end,
corporate product to something that is
nearly as common as an iPod. This is in
large part thanks to the advent of wireless
technology, which allows people to use
their laptops, literally, almost anywhere.
But, as anyone who has struggled to type
a paper while hunched over a table in an
Internet café knows, along with conveni-
ence must come comfort – and that is
where Lapworks steps in.
Lapworks bills itself as a developer and
seller of "affordable, ergonomic portable
computer lap desks and desktop stands
that take the hassle and hazard out of
working with your notebook computer."
This statement is no exaggeration, accor-
ding to Jose Calero, founder and
president of Lapworks. In fact, a big part
of Lapworks' mission – along with product
sales – is to stress (no pun intended) the
importance of ergonomics to their
customers' well-being.
Calero expressed frustration that currently,
many laptop manufac-turers have been
slow to get on the ergonomics
bandwagon, even as laptops get thinner –
and run hotter. "The MacBook Air – you
can fry eggs on that thing! Apple has even
put a warning out saying don't work with
this on your lap. But Apple doesn't offer a
lap desk on their site, so that creates an
opportunity for us."
One of the ways in which Lapworks has
taken advantage of this opportunity is with
Futura, a portable laptop desk that
provides cooling as well as comfort for
laptop users. Futura's design includes a
1/8 inch airspace under the notebook and
open ventilation slots, which reduces heat
by about 20 percent -- or the same
amount of heat reduction you would get
with two USB fans.
Another great feature of Futura is that
along with being functional, it is also
stylish. In fact, users can even have their
Futura customized for only $20 above the
base price of $29.99.
So if you're tired of nursing an aching back
every time you use your laptop, stop by
Lapworks online to view all company
products, or just pick up the Futura at your
local Target or other IT products store.
WORDS BY MARY ROSENTHOL
MACTEK > CONSULTING & TRAINING
Reading Doug Hanley's signature line on
his e-mail, you quickly begin to realize why
MacTEK Consulting and Training is
Southern Nevada's premier source for
Macintosh Computer Support.
Doug is an Apple Certified Systems Admin-
istrator, Apple Certified Trainer, Apple
Certified Support Professional and an
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator.
MacTEK is an Apple Authorized Training
Center (IT & Pro Apps), Adobe Authorized
Training Center, Apple Consultants Net-
work Member and an Apple Authorized
Service Provider.
MacTEK has been in business since 1990
and located in Las Vegas since 1992. They
provide warranty repairs and out of
warranty repairs on Apple products with
genuine Apple parts. MacTEK is Nevada's
only Apple Authorized Training Center and
Adobe Authorized Training Center.
MacDirectory >
What is the primary area
of MacTEK's operation?
Doug Hanley > We are an Apple Author-
ized Training Center, which means we
offer courses in training on Apple pro-
ducts. Apple has a number of training
centers in the United States and around
the world where people can sit in a class –
a three day class or four day class – what-
ever with an Apple Certified Trainer. These
are IT classes as well as classes on the pro
apps like Logic, Final Touch, Sound Track
and others. There are also certification
classes that people can take as well.
MD >
MacTEK has the reputation for being
a premier Apple Support agency.
DH > One of the big differences is that
pretty much all of our trainers actually
work in the industry they are doing the
training on. In other words, they are not
just people who have gone and taken a
class on a subject and then began
teaching but rather they are IT profes-
sionals who are doing consulting work,
support work, or like in the design classes,
they are actually doing graphic design
Photoshop work for a living as well as
teaching the program.
Visit MacTEK online at
WORDS BY E. L. GRIGGS
