I frequently use flip-chart easels in my work and tried this unit, mainly for its reasonable price. The writing surface is solid and the legs steady. It is a bit heavy to carry, but certainly suitable for meeting rooms. The big complaint is the difficulty in opening and retracting the legs. When closed the legs are secured by a locking button. This button in turn needs to be fully depressed to open the legs. The problem is that it is almost impossible to do without turning the easel on its side (which requires removing the paper). The whole operation takes a few minutes and does not leave you feeling particularly professional. Three stars for the stable work surface, lose two stars for the hassle factor.