iPad Accessory Review- Lapworks’ iPad Space Dock

I have had the opportunity to look at, and review, a wide range of iPad stands and today we’ll take a look at yet another one. Lapwork’s iPad Space Dock (we reviewed their Recliner for iPad a few months ago) is one of the smallest and low profile stands we have seen. If it looks a bit familiar that might be because it looks strikingly similar to Element Cases’ Joule for iPad that Judie first posted on back in April. There are some notable differences and we’ll get to those in a bit.

The Space Dock is so low-profile that it may not look like it will safely support the iPad. That is anything but the case as it not only works but it works well and offers the flexibility of using the iPad in both portrait and landscape and at three different viewing angles for each. Let’s take a closer look.

From The Company-

The iPad Space Dock is a low profile Aluminum stand for the iPad. It is a fashion forward, modernistic Aluminum stand that allows the iPad to position in both portrait and landscape postures. The Space Dock is finely cut from a rod of solid Aluminum and then brushed for a clean, elegant and stylish finish. The Space Dock’s inside channel is lined with velvet-like material to hold the iPad comfortably and securely while eliminating any chance of scratching its shiny new surface. Although the Space Dock is the smallest of our iPad stands, it provides no less stability, security and comfort for the iPad. The secret to its stability is its T-shaped support arm that attaches to the back of the unit extending out 2-5/8”.

For “adjustability”, the Space Dock’s T-shaped support arm features three-position incline settings that allows the iPad to display in inclines of 58º, 62º and 66º of incline. The incline settings are achieved with the T-shaped support arm that securely screws into the back side of the Space Dock at three pre-drilled positions of incline. The Space Dock’s small footprint lets you set your iPad on the kitchen counter with no fear of liquid spills; on a mantle when your iPad acts as a digital photo frame or on your desktop where hands free viewing of a video or movie is the order of the day.

Features-

The Space Dock iPad stand adds class, elegance and stature to your iPad

It is a modernistic stand that allows both portrait and landscape postures

The stand is cut from a rod of solid Aluminum and then given a brushed finish

The Space Dock’s inside channel is lined with velvet-like material

It supports your iPad comfortably and securely while preventing scratching

The Space Dock features three-position incline settings that angles of 58º, 62º and 66º of incline

The Space Dock is simple. It is a straight bar for the iPad and a T-bar that screws into the former. The T-Bar has rubber gaskets that keep the metal from touching whatever surface you are placing it on. This also serves to ensure that the Space Dock won’t slide around. Surprisingly the Space Dock itself does not have rubber bumpers. I should note however that I had no issue with it sliding around or scratching any of the various surfaces I placed it on.

On the back of the Space Dock are three different screw holes for the T-bar. Each places the iPad at a different viewing angle. The T-bar screws into (and out of) the various holes easily and requires just 6 1/2 revolutions to go in and remove for readjusting the angle.

As noted in the feature list, the channel that is cut into the Space Dock itself is lined with a “velvet-like” material (is that like Pleather only for velvet??) to ensure that it won’t scratch the iPad. That’s all good and well but…

…the material does not go to the very top of the channel. That means there is still a possibility of metal coming into contact with the iPad. Let me be clear- I DID NOT run into an issue in this regard but it WAS something I was conscious of and as a result, I was extra careful when I would put my iPad in the Space Dock.

The front of the Space Dock has three holes cut into it. There allow sound from the speaker to flow through unobstructed. In my experience they worked fine and do a nice job of allowing sound to flow. A notch in the middle of the Space Dock allows access to the Home button.

There is no question that the Space Dock is intended for naked or skinned iPads. The channel that is cut into the metal is perfectly sized for that. Since I keep my iPad in the monCarbone HoverCoat Carbon Fiber Shell that I reviewed earlier this month I was worried about whether the iPad would fit securely in the stand. Turns out it does… without issue. No, the iPad does not seem to sit all the way down in the channel with the HoverCoat on but that doesn’t reduce the stability of the iPad when in it.

Here’s a view from the side with the iPad in portrait.

And from the back…

And here it is with the iPad in landscape. As you can see it is held quite nicely and all the buttons and ports are completely accessible. It works quite well and is a good choice if you want an iPad stand available but don’t want something big and bulky sitting around on the counter. Instead, the Space Dock can sit just about anywhere unobtrusively waiting to hold your iPad hen you need to go hands free.

Which brings us back to the similarities between the Lapworks Space Dock and the Element Case Joule. Yes, they look similar. VERY similar. Both stands use the same concept of a metal bar with a channel cut for the iPad and a leg coming from the back for stability. Both have three different holes in the back for three different viewing angles but while the Space Dock screws into those holes the Joule uses magnets to secure the leg in position. We have a Joule coming for review so we will be able to make a direct comparison soon but one difference is clear, while the ElementCase Joule has an MSRP of $129.99 the Space Dock is currently available for $54.95.

The iPad Space Dock is available directly from Lapdesk.

MSRP: $64.95 but currently on sale for $54.95.

What I Like:Low profile; offers three different viewing angles; works with the iPad in landscape and portrait; comes apart if you want to throw it in a bag

What Needs Improvement: Support leg had to be screwed into place; velvet-like material leaves some metal exposed at the very top that could come into contact with the iPad; ideally works with a naked iPad