Having tried the type that plugs into a usb socket, and found them difficult to position and very wobbly being supported only by the usb socket, this model is a totaly different kettle of fish. Having a spring loaded clamp built in, it supports its own weight easily and can be plugged into the usb or run off 4 AA cells, rechargable or standard. With 3 levels of light available it is easy to select one that suits your own needs. Even set to minimum there is enough light to work with in a darkened room,and set to the medium setting provides ample illumination, with good ecconomy if used on batteries. The flexible stem is very slim and holds any position that it is bent to positively. The spread of light is quite wide and covers the keyboard easily which makes positioning the lamp less critcal. The lamp head is quite slim and with the leds recessed into it there is no sideways light spill to annoy other people and no glare to the opperator. To sum up, works well, well made, its versatillity means that it is equally suited to crafters, model makers, dress makers, sewing machine operators etc. Rember the old saying, buy cheap buy twice. At the price I think its good value.