iPadstands
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Prop 'n Go is my new favorite iPad stand
I have been through sooooo many iPad cases and stands. Cases with keyboards, cases without, backpack cases, mini-briefcase models, you name it, I've tried it. Since I work at home, my needs aren't that complicated. I need something that serves as a stand, won't tip over, and allows me to adjust the angle of my iPad to taste. The good folks at Padded Spaces sent me the Prop 'n Go Slim tablet stand and I'm hooked. I reviewed the original Prop 'n Go case almost a year ago, and found it nice to use, but way too thick. I then tried a slimmer case from Padded Spaces last year, and while very well constructed, I thought it was too thick as well. I did like the fact that it was narrower. I think this new slim model hits the sweet spot. It's not a case, so I'll use something else for protecting the iPad when I travel. The Slim is US $35, has 14 adjustable angles, and works with iPads, the Kindle and I would think most Android tablets too. The dimensions work with the iPad in either landscape or portrait orientation. The base is flat, rather than wedge shaped, which is an improvement I suggested in my review last year. The Prop 'n Go works very well on a bed or soft couch. It comes in blue or black, and it is very solid, the iPad doesn't move even if I'm tapping and sliding across the screen with some force. The only negative is the iPad is not anchored to the tablet, so if you carry it around the house, you need to hold it upright. Although the surface is made from non-slip materials, you want to be careful the stand and your iPad aren't headed in different directions. This latest Prop 'n Go is the perfect stand for me. It's very well made, won't tip over, and for my uses is nearly perfect. I'm told supplies are a bit constrained until next week, but I think this stand is worth the wait. You can compare the original design to the slim in the gallery below. %Gallery-152678%
The TabGrip Stand for the iPad, a decent stand with a major problem
At Macworld 2011, I was shown the TabGrip (US$39.99), which looked and felt like a great iPad stand; I didn't realize that it had a major problem until I got it home and installed it. It's a stand that works in either landscape or portrait orientation. It consists of four riveted hard plastic sides connected by a soft and pliable rubber backing that allows you to stretch it so that each side snaps onto each of the four sides of the iPad. The four riveted sides contain a hinged foot that allows you to stand your iPad just about any way you'd like. It is very uncomfortable on your lap, but it's meant to be stood on a table, so no problem there. The feet don't lock, so you really can't exert too much pressure on it before the feet slide down, but it's really not meant for use in that manner. For typing or viewing, the feet are sturdy enough. With the feet folded against the iPad, holding it feels great. It seems to make the iPad more rigid and adds very little weight. When you hold it, it makes the unit feel very sturdy, and the rubberized grips feel just about perfect. Holding the iPad by the top and sides can add a lot to gaming or just about anything else, and since it doesn't block any of the screen, the TabGrip adds a bit of well designed lightweight heft in any position. The grips are of a size that won't let the iPad touch the ground, either from the front or back, since they are slightly thicker than the tablet. When I held it in the TabGrip booth, I immediately noticed that it felt perfect and didn't let your fingers slide around due to the texture of the grips. In short -- I was quite impressed and thought that it was a great design that really improved the user experience of holding or standing an iPad any way you could imagine. At least until I got it home and installed it.
The Wedgepad bean bag stand for the iPad
The Wedgepad ($27 shipping only to the US), taking a cue from Veronica Belmont's Cat stand, is a comfortable iPad stand comprised of a wedged bean bag and four white elastic straps. It's very light, weighing in at only five ounces. The straps hold your iPad securely and its pliability and microsuede bag make it feel quite nice on your lap, where it's meant to be used. When attached, it seems to become part of the iPad. I've been playing around with one for a few days and haven't taken it off my iPad yet. It only works in landscape mode and can be used in a 30 degree mode which stands the iPad nearly vertically. That's not a great angle for your lap but it's okay for viewing on a table, especially if you are watching a movie and don't need to tap any buttons. I've used it mainly in the 45 degree mode, which is a perfect viewing angle when on your lap. My only complaint is that the white straps make it look a bit cheap, and it appears that it's holding your iPad hostage, but that's nothing that a black Magic Marker can't fix. You may remember it being announced in May and then tumbling into obscurity. There were production problems, and a small number got shipped, but now there is adequate stock. Pick one up now and you'll get free shipping, too, at least until the end of August.
Taking a stand on iPad stands
I love the iPad. I really do. Getting a good iPad stand, however, can be a daunting proposition. There are a lot of varieties, things you can buy, things you can convert. It's pretty clear to me that for a lot of iPad use, a stand is mandatory. I don't think the iPad is a one-hander. It gets heavy, and eventually I want to put it down. If I lay it flat, it's hard to type on, because the curved back (what were they thinking?) makes it wobble if you touch it. So here's a report on what I have found:the good, the bad, and the ugly. First, a Seattle company called Padded Spaces sent me their product called Prop it Up. It's a bit large, and I think it might have been originally designed for laptops and netbooks. It is wide enough for a MacBook Pro. You put your iPad on the plush, wedge shaped base, and you can adjust the angle from very low to about 80 degrees. The iPad stays in place, and I enjoyed using it. It is a bit large to be hauling around outside the house. The company makes a model that also functions as a case, so you pop the iPad inside for travel. Of all the things I tried, this was the nicest iPad stand for around the house, but I felt like I should have one for several rooms, rather than move the thing around. I think if this product was made to fit the width of the iPad and generally reduced in all dimensions it would be a perfect solution. Prop it Up is US$39.95 or $49.95 with the integrated carrying case. %Gallery-91066%
A first week with the iPad
How has week #1 with the iPad been? Pretty good actually. I wasn't going to get one, but while on a TUAW assignment to get some photos... and kinda sorta held up my hand and did the deed. I'm glad I did. It's now a constant companion. I actually prefer surfing the web with it over my laptop because it is small, weighs less, and is quite speedy. I haven't seen any of the wireless issues some are reporting. Mail is good, but I can't wait for that unified inbox coming this fall. I had some need to control a PC, so I looked around for some kind of remote client for the iPad. There were plenty of them the iPhone, but I wanted full resolution. I wound up with RDM+, which is a US$9.99 app that lets me connect to my Macs or PC without any firewall fooling around. Screen updates were fast enough, and installation had no hiccups. I'm sure there are some other solutions, but RDM+ worked very well. I took my iPad to a restaurant and I connected to my PC with a click. Battery life has been amazing. I use the iPad pretty heavily, and can easily get through 2 days or more without a re-charge. The screen is excellent for displaying still images and video.
