There are iPhone and iPad stands, and then THERE ARE iPad and iPhone stands! ApexCarbon was kind enough to send us a RockForm RockStand for review and giveaway and it is, in a word, impressive. Yes, this desktop stand is more than a stand for your iOS device. It is an attention-grabbing sculpture, a conversation starter and, in a word, a piece of art. It is sure to quickly become a favorite. Perhaps best of all, it is also a highly functional stand.
Let’s take a look and then… give it away!!!!
From Rokform:
The Rokform Rokstand v1 Desktop Stand is truly a mechanical piece of art. This stand is form and function working together in perfect mechanical harmony; a true conversation piece on any desk or airline flight. Each stand is hand assembled and inspected to ensure flawless performance; then serial numbered as authentic one of a kind Rokform.
The Rockstand has an industrial look and feel that you will either love or hate. And I suspect that judgment will be made within seconds of you seeing it. Yes, this is the stand that (…sorry for this folks…) really stands out.
Made from aluminum and plastic, the level of refinement and the attention to detail that went into this stand is immediately apparent. Wherever there was the opportunity to add some interest to the stand the designers did just that. For example, at points where they could have used straight cylinders of aluminum, they opted to shape the aluminum in a dumbbell of sorts so that the center is thinner than the ends. This adds interest of course, but it also makes the stand easier to pick up and lighter. And that’s one of the particularly interesting aspects of this stand – it is far lighter than you might think. At the same time, while it may be light, the designers didn’t compromise on quality in the process.
Let’s run down the specific features of the Rokstand. It offers six different angles of adjustment, and each is locked into place with a quality ratcheting area. The aluminum portions are CNC machined with a gorgeous anodized finish. The soft rubber contact surface rings that strike the back of the iPhone or iPad not only provide a soft feel that won’t damage the device, but they also give non-slip performance. You’ll find these same rings on the bottom are each point where the stand comes into contact with the surface upon which it will rest.
The stand holds the iPhone or iPad in either portrait or landscape and will work nicely with devices in most different cases so long as it is not one of the thick, survive-everything types.
Finally, and I always appreciate this aspects of accessories even if it means they carry a slightly higher price, the stand is designed, manufactured and assembled in the United States. Given the choice between a product designed and manufactured here in the US and one that is designed and manufactured outside the US ,I will personally make the choice for domestic product every time.
As mentioned, where the stand comes into contact with the flat surface upon which it sits are rubber rings. These keep the stand from moving and it protects the surface.
At first I did not expect the iPad to be stable enough when held in portrait but the back of the stand extends far enough up that it does. Yes, the design creates a stable base for both the iPhone and the iPad. That’s a rather impressive design feature which, no doubt, was part of the attention to detail when figuring out just how high the upper arm needed to be.
The tray that holds the iPhone or iPad has a nice flat area and a raised portion toward the front so the device won’t slip out. If the iPhone is in portrait the device will sit inside a groove in the tray. In landscape, or if you are using an iPad, the device rest on these two outer arms. The depth of the area guarantees that cases won’t be an issue except for the thickest of the bunch.
The interior of the tray has a cut out for the iOS 30-pin dock connector and holds it in place. This turns this stand into a dock as well. The fact that it is open means that it will likely accept the new dock connector when it arrives in the fall but since we don’t know exactly what it will look like there are no guarantees.
The stand has “Built-in Sound enhancing speaker ports” on either side of the dock connector area that allow the speaker and microphone to be exposed and directed forward. Obviously how these will line up when the new iPhone arrives is anyone’s guess but, for now, they are perfectly placed.
The company could easily have used the same bolts at every point along the way when designing the stand. They didn’t. Clearly they found that different sizes worked better at different locations on the stand.
Fortunately they included a tool that has all the necessary sizes built into it.
Finally, the different adjustment angles are accessed through a lever on the side. It makes it simple to adjust, locks into place and it offers a satisfying “Click” as it ratchets from one position to the next.
I really like this stand, but I wasn’t sure I’d want to include it in this week’s giveaways. We are. 
(albeit a bit grudgingly.)
You see, this is one of those accessories that you really don’t need, but you so enjoy using that it grows on you over time. Yes, it holds the iPhone or iPad quite nicely, and at just the right angle for whatever activity you are involved in. More than that, however, is the fact that even when the stand is not functioning as a stand you can’t help but look at it and appreciate the design aesthetic that went into making it.
In other words, it is functional but it is also art.
You can check it out here, on the ApexCarbon website.
MSRP: $169.99
What I Like: Amazing construction; Great design choices; Art that works; Holds iPad or iPhone in landscape or portrait; Most cases won’t be an issue; Made in the USA
What Needs Improvement: Pricey… but then again, quality, US-made and artsy
Win The Review Sample!
The review sample costs just under $170. It’s gorgeous. It’s functional. And it could be yours. Yes, we are going to give it away. To enter to win it all you need to do is check the Rafflecopter contest below and get busy. We’ll pick the winner Friday and, of course, announce that individual in Friday’s newsletter. Good luck.
(Shipping within the US only please.)
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