After using the BenQ Screenbar Halo on my desktop setup for a few years now (review here), and having found it brings a peaceful ambience to my work station along with confidence in my eye care, I was intrigued to see if the Benq LaptopBar would have the same effect on my ever changing, portable setup.
Of course, the first thing was unboxing.
Well packaged, boxed and feels like you're about to open something of quality.
Each part with it's own space and the setup instructions easy to find.
The only thing you really need to do is choose a magnet colour and attach it to the outside of the laptop. There is a handy positioning template to help place it in the right place. I went with the silver colour to go with my MacBook Pro, although I already have a clear/misty cover on it so not attaching directly onto laptop.
This magnet allows the power pack for the light to be attached to the top of the laptop. The light then attaches to the power pack and can be set low or higher using the extend arm. So far, the higher options has been my preferred position, giving a much more even distribution of light over my workspace. An ingenious yet simple design.
Above is the lower position, sitting tight to the top of the screen.
Here with the arm extended, which gives a little more height and flexibility in the positioning over the screen and keyboard.
Controlling the light is very intuitive and simple. Waving a hand over the sensor on the top turns the light on and off, with a touch sensor on the front to toggle between the brightness strength and the temperature.
So, setup was very easy and straight forward. And, with the BenQ LaptopBar aimed at the mobile market, easy setup and removal is essential. It is also no surprise, all the components fit perfectly into a little pouch which is provided and this can easily be slid into a laptop bag\case and hardly taking up any room at all.
I wondered how much use a BenQ LaptopBar would get and what would be the advantages or it's need. I suppose the answer to all of those questions would lie within how often you use your laptop and in what environment.
Personally 100% of my work is on my Macbook Pro, but 80% of that is within my office workspace where it is attached to a BenQ display screen which already has the advantage of having the BenQ HaloBar fitted permanently which I use every time I'm on it. This allows an even light to constantly fall over my workspace when working on my MBP, easing any eye strain usually associated with display use.
Although, for that other 20% of the time, when I am on a photography road trip in my van or visiting an area in rented accommodation, that is when the BenQ LaptopBar has come into great use. As BenQ advertise, it is "A compact and portable smart light you can attach to your laptop and bring eye comfort anywhere". Taking up so little room to pack away means it can simply sit in my bag until it is needed, and when called upon, the battery has yet to surprise me as it seems to last forever but a quick charge now and then as well as being able to be charged from a USB C port means it is always available.
For example, I have recently been exhibiting work at two Galleries, Smithy Gallery in Blanefield, Scotland and Eleven41 Gallery in Kingussie, Scotland as part of the collaboration 'That Other Landscape' with two other photographers, Grant Bulloch & David Queenan. So when I was travelling to and from Kingussie in particular, I was grateful to have the BenQ LaptopBar with me when I had to do some writing on the go, and some last minute editing for promotional images going out. In the van, it can be a particularly dark environment when on the Laptop. So, being able to bring more ambient light around my small workspace definitely helped my eyes from straining as they would have otherwise.
Other claims made by BenQ are:
"The revolutionary LaptopBar creates a CIRCUM-LightTMÂ 3D-surrounding illumination that brings together central brightness and ambient light to alleviate eye strain."
"It uses technology to manipulate the direction of light, illuminating all corners of your laptop with bright and uniform light, eliminating discomfort from glare."
Technical terms I may be unfamiliar with, but yes, it certainly brings my portable workspaces to life with even lighting, which I find easier on my eyes.
Overall, my opinion is that if you are working on your laptop a lot, and in particular, in mobile spaces then this will certainly be a something worth having. It is so portable, simple to attach and use while being so unintrusive that no one will take a second glance if you were concerned what others thought when in a more public space.
Well that's my thoughts on this little extra addition to my mobile workspace and I hope you have found it of some use if it is something you are considering purchasing.
The LaptopBar can be purchased from Amazon or BenQ’s website.
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