Where it is going
Start empty.
Upper and lower chassis, nothing inside. What goes in is up to you.
Gen-1 · In development
Your whole setup. Ready in seconds.
Deployed from one platform, with the devices you already own.
Gen-1 · In development
Everything folds in.
The screens stow in the upper chassis. Your laptop folds into the lower.
Gen-1 · In development
Held in place.
Your laptop, or another device within its size and weight limits, is designed to stay secured to the lower chassis, even while it is carried.
Gen-1 · In development
Carry it your way.
Ships with a flat-pack handle and a shoulder strap (current plan). The handle, latches and strap points are designed as separate parts, with other versions planned. Backpack carry is in development.
Bring your own devices · No electronics included
Design render · Shown configured with 2 displays. Current plan: one display mount included (may change), more sold separately.
Open
The problem
Your best setup is fragmented and slow.
Scattered
Laptop, screen, stand, keyboard, mouse, charger, cables. Every bag becomes a puzzle.
Strained
Work off the laptop alone and your neck and back pay for it, on a couch, in bed, at whatever table you find.
Exposed
A laptop on a table is one spill, knock or tug away from damage.
Slow
Unpack, arrange, plug in. Then pack it all again.
MANTLE keeps your setup assembled in one platform: carry it as one piece, open it into a workspace that is held, raised and ready.
Proof
A working prototype, not a concept.
Footage and photographs of the current build. Final materials, finish and hardware will differ.
Functional prototypeFunctional prototype, shown with a Mac and iPad. Bring the devices you already own.
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The system
Modular by design.
A frame that takes what you bring, and rails that hold it where you want it.
Design render · Open, nothing mounted.
Each screen sits on an arm that mounts to the rails along the upper chassis. Screens are designed to swing out to work, and fold flat inside the upper chassis to pack. The current plan is one universal display mount included, for a portable screen or a tablet, with more sold separately; this may change.
The spine is designed to hold the upper chassis at the angle you set, so your screens sit raised instead of flat on the table.
The crossbar is designed to secure your laptop, or another device within its size and weight limits, even while MANTLE is carried. It is also designed to come out, so the lower chassis can take other mounting systems through adaptors, such as a 10-inch mini rack or DIN rail. Adaptors are in development.
Space under the crossbar is designed for a charger, hub and cables, so your setup stays assembled between uses.
The shell closes over the whole setup for carrying, by the handle or over the shoulder.
The handle, latch and strap points are designed as separate parts, so hardware can be changed or upgraded as more options are released.
Rails are designed to take laptops, screens, compact computers, mics and studio lights, within the frame's weight and clearance limits. More modules are in development for the same rails.
The chassis, not the electronics.
No proprietary electronics. Bring your own devices; none are included. MANTLE is designed to take a laptop, portable screens and tablets, or other devices within its size, weight and mounting limits. Exact compatibility will be confirmed on a finished unit before production.
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Styles · Concepts, not confirmed for launch
Make it yours.
Styles attach over MANTLE to change how it looks, and some change what it does, like MOLLE panels for carrying gear. Once you join the Launch List, you can tell us which one you would carry.
Concept
Concept
Concept
Concept
Concept
ConceptWhere it is going
What else can it do?
Where it is going · Concept
Bring your own compute.
No laptop. A compact computer, a keyboard and trackball, and a screen on the rail, all in one chassis. Swap the crossbar for a 10-inch mini rack or DIN rail adaptor. Concept, not yet confirmed for launch.
Where it is going · Concept
Go live anywhere.
Light, camera and mic on the rail. Keyboard and mouse out front. Concept, not yet confirmed for launch.
Design renders and concepts · Bring your own devices. None included.
Functional prototypeWho is building it
Built from a real setup.
My name is Marcus. I maintained aircraft in the RCAF, then spent years in sales working from client sites and on the road. MANTLE is the setup I wanted and could not find: my whole workspace, carried as one piece and ready anywhere. The prototype on this page is my own build.
My work now is turning it into a product, and learning which setups matter most to the people who would use it.
Questions? Email me directly: marcus@takemantle.com
Launch List
Be first to hear when it is ready.
Development updates, honestly reported, and the first chance to reserve.
Questions
Is this a finished product?
No. MANTLE is a functional prototype and the production design is in development. No ship date is being committed at this stage.
Does it include a laptop or screen?
No. MANTLE is the platform: the chassis your devices mount to and carry in. Bring your own devices; none are included. MANTLE is designed to take a laptop, portable screens and tablets, or other devices within its size, weight and mounting limits. Exact compatibility will be confirmed on a finished unit before production.
Does MANTLE power or connect my devices?
No. MANTLE is the chassis, not the electronics. It does not provide power, USB, HDMI or any other electronic connection. It is designed to hold your devices and route your cables; you bring your own cables, chargers and docking hardware. A rail-mounted USB hub module is in development: not included, and not yet confirmed for launch.
Will my equipment fit?
Gen-1 is designed to secure your laptop, or another device within its size, weight and mounting limits, in the lower chassis. The upper chassis has rails for display mounts: the current plan is one universal mount included, for a portable screen or a tablet, with more available to buy at launch. What is included may change during development and will be confirmed before production. So far the prototype has been used with a laptop and one screen, and has held an iPad on the top rail with two stand-in screens on the side rails (fit check only); a fold-out support stand for multi-screen setups is in development. Exact compatibility, weight and dimensions will be confirmed on a finished unit before production, and people on the list hear first.
How big and heavy is it?
The size target is about 400 × 300 × 77 mm closed, with the handle folded flat, chosen with airline personal-item limits in mind. Limits differ by carrier and fare type, and some are smaller than this target, so check your airline's current rules before you fly with it. The current design weighs about 4 kg (8.8 lb) empty, before your devices, and bringing that down is a development priority. Final size and weight will be confirmed on a finished unit before production.
Is it modular?
Yes, by design. The rails are designed to take laptops, screens, compact computers, mics and lights, and more modules are in development. Mounts are being designed to adapt to common standards such as VESA, MagSafe, 1/4"-20 and Arca. Cameras, lights and mics have been mounted on the prototype's rails; other modules have not yet been tested. The offer page lists exactly what a reservation covers.
What are the concepts on this page?
The style concepts and the compact computer and creator setups are ideas being explored. Some may be ready at launch and some may come later; none are confirmed yet. The offer page lists exactly what a reservation covers.
What does joining the list cost?
Nothing. You get development updates and the first chance to reserve. You can unsubscribe at any time.