Closer Examination

Here is a look at the two cushions, which come individually wrapped in plastic as with everything else we have seen so far. The COUCHMASTER cycon does not use real leather, but the artificial leather is convincing to the touch and sight. Time will tell how durable the material is, but so far so good. Note that this also comes in a microfiber option (gray or black color), as well as two additional color options for the artificial leather (red or white, with the former as accents to the black base). Each cushion is approximately 19 cm high and 65 cm long, with the height in particular dictating how compatible it will be with your legs beside it and the lapboard on top. One of the cushions also comes with a side pocket woven in, and this is large enough to have, say, a headset half inserted in place or a bottle/snack if it comes to that. It is not large enough to fit in a controller, but you can use it to host your phone if you do not wish to be disturbed.


The two cushions have a zipper running their length, and unzipping it reveals that nerdytec has used a high density foam to provide the structural integrity required while still allowing these to have enough give to be comfortable to the touch. This zipper also means you have the option to pack the cushions with another material of your choice - styrofoam beans or memory foam, for example, which also allows some freedom to tinker around with the height of the cushions if 19 cm is too tall.


The lapboard, as expected by now, also comes in a plastic wrap, and removing it reveals a hard plastic finish throughout. Given that this is supported by the cushions and should not be in contact with your lap (despite the name) in this configuration, it hardly matters. The plastic is also textured and not sharp on top in any way to affect the finish of your keyboard or mouse, and this is assuming you do not use a mousepad either. There are two raised sections on the bottom to prevent the peripherals from slipping off, and the top is functionally symmetrical around a line in the center such that it supports both right- and left-handed users by offering the ability to have the keyboard to the right or left (with the mouse on the left or right, respectively), even down to the two cable-management holes. It is not fully symmetrical, of course, by offering a single USB 3.0 port, and it can be used to plug in your headset or even a USB drive. There is also "nerdytec" spelled out in a glossy plastic finish at the top, and the COUCHMASTER brand is in the center. There is a small cutout on the sides which is used to have the cable(s) be directed outwards in a direction of your choosing, vs. from the top or center.


Flipping over to the back, we see a certification sticker in the middle and a flat base comprised of three separate pieces. Of interest to the user should be the two smaller pieces at the top, which are screwed in place via Phillips head screws as opposed to the hex head screws holding down the central piece. This is where the provided screwdriver comes in, and you can use it to remove the four screws holding each piece, following which you can slide out the two pieces easily.


The right side opening after having removed the cover pieces, as seen from the back, reveals two USB 3.0 Type-A female connectors along with some plastic pillar extensions that can be used for cable management by wrapping the cable around them as need be. The left side opening holds another Type-A connector and a female Type-B connector alongside where the provided shorter cable is used to provide power and data to the four available USB 3.0 ports on the device (one on the front, three from the back). There is an optional DC power supply port here if you have peripherals that will draw more than a total of 900 mA of current on the 5 V rail, and nerdytec recommends a 5 V, 1-2 A AC power adapter here. They sell one for the European market (different prong and layout vs. the USA), but most people should be fine as-is.

At this time, use the provided two cables such that the shorter cable goes from the USB Type-B port and out via the cutout in the side, and then use the longer cable to connect it to your PC. When connecting your peripherals, use the two cutouts in the top and then the plastic pillar extensions for cable management, before connecting the individual cables to the three available ports, while leaving the final one accessible for when you need a spare. A such, a keyboard, mouse, and headset can all be powered and connected here.