I've never intended to keep a laptop at my nav table b/c of the clutter it implies, but I really liked the idea in the article. Basically, they cut a section of the chart table wide enough to fit the laptop and hinged it, then built a 'box' into which the laptop sites inside the table. The hinged top can be locked down. The laptop sits in its own space relatively out of the way, but very easily accessible by flipping up the 'lid' of the chart table, i.e., the lid that you cut out.

The carpentry would need to be done well for it to look nice --it's hard to cut into your nav table!-- but it seems like a very practical and secure way to stow a laptop, yet have it easy to access and view when needed instead of it taking up the entire top of the nav table.

No Velcro or foam non-slide mat needed. ;-) And the computer ain't never gonna fall on the cabin sole when the boat gets a little tippy...