The iPad is incredibly versatile. Much of the time when you use it you want to hold it in your hands but there are times when you want to put it down but have it stay at a particular angle. This is especially the case if you are watching a movie or using it to type when connected to Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard. That’s why cases with built-in stands such as the Case-Mate Venture and Sena Folio are so incredibly useful. There are times, however, when you want the iPad sans case but still held in a particular position. That’s why it’s so nice to see an increasing number of options with regard to stands designed specifically for the iPad. We’ve already looked at a few here on the site (for example the TwelveSouth Compass and the LapWorks iPad Recliner) but we have a few more to look at over the next few weeks.
Today’s iPad stand review – the UpStand from JustMobile.
The company describes the stand in this way –
JustMobile UpStand is the high style desktop stand for iPad. Precision engineered from aluminum, the UpStand’s supporting grips are finished in rubber to hold your iPad firmly in place and keep it pristine. It’s compatible with most iPad cases, too.
The UpStand will float your iPad at just the right height for desktop use – it’s perfect for working with a Bluetooth keyboard, watching movies or using the iPad as a digital picture frame. Add the right app, UpStand will even turn your iPad into a recipe book, alarm clock or TV.
Features –
Solid aluminum construction
Style and practical
Non-slip feet
Dazzling radio finish
My impressions –
When I first took the UpStand out of the box I was immediately struck by the finish of the aluminum. It is absolutely beautiful! Seriously, the finish is beautiful! Add in an unusual design that combines both the angular portion that holds the iPad and the cylindrical base and cylindrical vertical poles and you have an iPad case that also has a bit of a sculpture. In this way the UpStand is rather “Apple-esque”. It is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional.
The iPad easily sits in the stand in both portrait and landscape mode and as the company suggests, it works with the iPad in most cases.
In fact, I tried my iPad with each of the cases that I have here at home and I didn’t have an issue with any of them. Sure, there were some where I needed to flip the portion of the case that covers the screen over the back of the UpStand but that didn’t pose a problem at all.
The stand holds the iPad at the perfect angle for viewing. Well, “perfect” may be a bit of an overstatement. The more I used my iPad with the UpStand the more I realized that there were times when I would have preferred being able to adjust the angle a bit. Unfortunately the stand is fixed in one particular position and doesn’t give the option for adjusting the viewing angle the way some other stands we’ve seen do. That is a bit of a bummer.
At the same time, however, if you’re going to have a standard that holds the iPad at a fixed angle the angle they chose is probably the best.
The fact of the matter is, there isn’t all that much more to say about this particular iPad stand. It’s made of quality materials, it’s well-designed, it’s incredibly stable, the rubber ensures the iPad doesn’t get scratched and it’s quite usable in a variety of contexts. When paired with Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard it not only looks pretty neat but also turns the iPad into what feels like an “iMac mini” and that’s pretty neat.
In fact, because the UpStand offers such a good viewing angle when using the iPad with the keyboard I’m actually going to be keeping it on my desk in my work-study. I don’t bring my MacBook Pro with me to the office that often any longer and this will be a great way for me to have something right there when I need to type a long message. Of, and it looks cool so that will be a plus too!
The UpStand is available from Macinbag.
MSRP: $49.95
What I Like: excellent construction; solid and stable; made of beautiful brushed aluminum; rubber is placed at all the right spots to ensure that the iPad doesn’t get scratched by the stand
What Needs Improvement: I wish the stand had the ability to adjust the angle to a certain extent