Just saw this and had to jump in! I am absolutely obsessed with finding the perfect budget setup that actually keeps your gear safe!! Honestly, spending 90 bucks is wild when you can get amazing metal ones for way less. Quick question tho, what size laptop are you using? Some stands get super shaky if you have a heavy 16-inch machine on them and I would hate for yours to tumble while you are working. Here are two I love for being cheap but super reliable:

• Nulaxy C3 Foldable Laptop Stand Aluminum Alloy
• This one is fantastic because it folds flat and feels indestructible since its metal.
• iVoler Laptop Holder Stand Adjustable Aluminum Multi-Angle
• Really stable base and usually under 20 bucks on sale! Metal is definitely the way to go for peace of mind... I would be so scared of cheap plastic snapping mid-work! Better to save the cash and get something solid.

Honestly, I totally get the frustration with the price of the Roost. 90 bucks for some plastic is a tough pill to swallow, even if it is the gold standard. I bought a cheap knockoff once and the leg snapped while I was at a library... nearly killed my laptop. Not a fun day. Unfortunately, most affordable stands are either super flimsy or way too big for those tiny Seattle cafe tables. You finally find a spot to work and then realize your setup needs its own zip code. Since you're on a budget, I've had some luck with these:

• iVoler Adjustable Aluminum Laptop Stand 6-Level Design
• This is what I usually toss in my bag now. It's solid metal, not plastic, and folds into a tiny stick. It feels way more premium than the price suggests, tho it doesn't get quite as high as the Roost.
• Moft Invisible Slim Laptop Stand Adhesive Version
• I really wanted to love this one because it's so thin, but it only has two height settings. It's great because it sticks to the laptop, but honestly, it didn't save my neck as much as I hoped. Basically, if you want to fix the neck pain, you need to get the screen to eye level. Just keep in mind that using a stand like the iVoler means you'll need a separate keyboard. Typing on a laptop that's tilted up at 45 degrees is a nightmare for your wrists. Trust me, I learned that the hard way after a week of typing on an incline... my hands felt like claws.