Macally VIEWSTAND Aluminum Viewing Stand for iPad

by Macally

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 1.5 x 13 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003DRCVVS
• Item model number: VIEWSTAND
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 15, 2010

Product Description

Aluminum Viewing Stand For Ipadaccs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was in love with this within seconds!, March 13, 2011

By 

RachDminor (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macally VIEWSTAND Aluminum Viewing Stand for iPad (Personal Computers)

(According to one reviewer this does not fit iPad 2 ... I have original iPad)

First, I am a longtime gadget lover, but I do expect them to work well. Having never seen this before, I picked it up at a computer store 2 days ago for $23.99 + 10% tax. In the parking lot, I looked it up online and found (better prices and) these poor reviews. I sat in the car testing it for the complaints here. I found the fit perfect (for ORIGINAL iPad, "naked" - it's not designed to use with gel or any other cover). I've shaken it upside down on my bed and it doesn't fall out or even come loose, yet it goes in and out easily. I don't know what else one could want in terms of fit. The plastic stabilizer piece in mine is perfectly shaped and, after a little fumbling without looking for directions, relatively easy to assemble (put it through hole and slide down into slot). I found connecting the cord very easy. None of the above complaints match my very positive experience.

I use my iPad a lot in the comfort of my car, driving to different locations for a change of scenery while I work (or play ... blush) on it. I IMMEDIATELY fell in love with this gizmo because it not only holds the iPad (great relief on wrists) but lifts the screen by about 3 inches to be in more comfortable range for eyes and neck. That's just brilliant for my use in the car! With elbow on arm rest, it's now at comfortable height to tap on, not in my lap or held up higher (that gets old quickly). Now at home, I'm testing it in typing position sitting on my bed and it's much easier and quicker to re-position than the fancy folding notebook-type cover I carry my iPad in. I use a bluetooth keyboard with iPad when typing a lot. This is so easy I'll probably use that less. Who knew?

Reading ebooks with this anywhere you read on iPad is better because of the higher screen, which supports better posture and not having to look down toward lap to read (or hold iPad ... biiiiiig advantage!). Sitting with feet on footrest and knees up in mountain shape, the curved aluminum fits over my bent knees and holds the iPad hands-free while I read. I love it!! With legs straight on footrest, I put it up with short end on my lap and screen up high like a television, can secure it with barely 2 fingers while it holds the iPad at eye level. This is a godsend to me!

What I originally bought it for, though, was to stream movies while cooking and such. I didn't want to risk my expensive cover on the counter and, frankly, this looks like a TV, which is fun and quite Jetson-y for me. It's GREAT for that, too! The iPad is safe from spills and, again, higher for greater viewing comfort. It's like having a TV anywhere now (now if only Amazon would stream on iPad ... hint hint).

I haven't yet "permanently" assembled the stabilizer (there's a tiny screw) so can't comment yet on its effectiveness but, for my uses so far, this exceeds my expectations. I don't even mind having paid more for it ... but you don't have to. Five enthusiastic stars from me!

ADDED 2.5 months later: still love this ... often sits on table holding iPad upright with aquarium or other atmospheric app playing or holding screen up while using wireless keyboard. It's also great for reading or watching video lying on side in bed because it holds the ipad steadily in place on its side. As for the tiny screws complaint, I put only 1 of 2 in with fingers and keep stabilizer in all the time. It works as intended and has never been a problem.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I should have known to stay away from Macally, November 29, 2010

By 

John (Auburn, ME, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Macally VIEWSTAND Aluminum Viewing Stand for iPad (Personal Computers)

After having nothing but trouble with a Macally keyboard a few years back, I strangely decided to try a Macally iPad Viewstand. The plastic "stabilizer" required sanding and trimming and forcing (which bent the aluminum stand) until I finally got in place. Documentation on the installation of the stabilizer was insufficient. The plastic liner that holds the iPad in place is too tight on one side and too loose on the other, so the iPad half falls out, but the other half is almost impossible to get loose. Every time I tried to get the iPad out, I was afraid I was going to pull the back of the iPad off. In the "portrait" orientation, the iPad can easily fall out, so I had to be careful when I picked it up, making sure I had the stand and the iPad in a firm grasp. It came to be such a nuisance to use, I just threw it in the closet with the old Macally keyboard, reminding myself to remember the next time I am tempted to get a Macally product.

1.0 out of 5 stars Really Poor Design, April 1, 2011

By 

Jael (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Macally VIEWSTAND Aluminum Viewing Stand for iPad (Personal Computers)

The design on this is not well very good. When I opened the package I was surprised to see that I had to actually install a cheap little plastic piece to keep it from tipping over. Really? So I looked at the two screws that were included. Where would I find a screwdriver that small? My first thought was that I had to go to a jewelry store and see if they would loan me a small jeweler's screwdriver; honesty, it was that small. Luckily I remembered that I had a very small screwdriver set out in the garage. Finally find it and drove the two little screws into place. Then, I read how to use the stand. Would you believe that the instructions tell you "For portrait and browsing position, first remove the supporting stand..." Excuse me? You mean every time I switch the view stand I need to find my tiny little screwdriver and remove those 2 screws? Unless I am missing something here this must be an April Fool's Day joke. IF I had known all this I would not have wanted it even if it was free. Pitiful.