Reviews by The Church of Apple

Tag: Stand

  • Matias iRizer Review

    The iRizer is a very portable laptop stand that is available from iRizer for $39.95. The stand comes in two easy portable pieces that take laptop stands to a whole new, portable level than any other that I have seen before.

    Form

    Let’s be honest, the stand isn’t made out of the best looking material on the market. It isn’t wood or bamboo. It isn’t metal. It’s plastic, hard plastic yes, but it’s plastic. However, the stand has a simplicity to it that does actually make it attractive.  The stand comes in just two parts. There’s one part that slides into one of four slots on the other part, each slot putting the stand at different angles. These pieces by themselves, laid down flat, are very thin and light. They are very easy to carry and very easy to use. The plastic they use in the product is strong and sturdy and it will not break easily. The rubber padding on the stand used to keep the laptop in place is not cheap and will not come out of the stand. The part of the stand that the laptop is sitting on does bounce a bit while typing, especially with a heavy laptop, but it isn’t a big deal. The thing I wish it had was more options for colors. But while it isn’t the most expensive looking stand out there but it doesn’t have to be, practicality and simplicity can be elegant too, right?

    Function

    The main reasons we buy laptop stands is to provide sufficient ergonomics, to stand the laptop in case we want to use it like a desktop and to provide cooling for a laptop. This stand provides this and more. First off, the stand comes in four different angled positions, 20, 30, 40 and 50 degrees. 20 and 30 degrees are both more for regular, on-the-desk, typing positions while 40 and 50 are more for standing the laptop and using external devices such as bluetooth mice and keyboards. All the degree positions are labelled to the benefit of the costumer. The 20 and 30 degree positions I find are very ergonomic and keep your hands at a good position to prevent Carpal Tunnel. I have found all four positions to be quite comfortable viewing angles as well. The stand does not have nor need a fan as it has holes for air to go through and of course we all know that elevating laptops off the ground provide air flow as well. Almost all laptops stands cool down your laptop at least a little and this one is no different. In addition to great ergonomics and the ability to cool your laptop, this stand is also ultra portable. I can easily fit the stand and the laptop into the laptop bag. I can not exactly say the same thing about really any other laptop stand I have tried. It can’t fit in a manila envelope but it can fit in just about anything else. The stand also comes with a iRizer mini stand for your iOS device. I thought that was a nice touch. There is only one thing about the stand I am not a fan of and that is that it’s not very comfortable to put into your lap. It really only works on a desk, which is okay since when I travel to a hotel, I use the desk. Or if I go to Starbucks, it’s also okay. Let’s face it, it is a traveling laptop stand due to it’s ultra-portability. It’s a great stand, regardless of it being somewhat uncomfortable on the lap, I take it anywhere I go with my laptop.

    Conclusion 

    Pros

    -Sleek design

    -Thin and light, ultra-portable

    -Ergonomic

    -Provides airflow for the laptop

    -Comfortable to use

    -Different positions that are easy to change to

    -iRizer mini

    Cons

    -Typing is bouncy with heavier laptops

    -Should be sold in more colors

    -More for use on the desk, not the lap

    Things to Improve

    First off, I would start producing the stand in multiple colors. Second, I would improve the “shocks” of the stand, if possible. Finally, I would increase the width of the piece that goes on surfaces to make it a bit more comfortable to have it in your lap.

    This is a great laptop stand. It has it’s faults but I think it’s one of the best stands I’ve tried. It’s portability and ergonomics makes it an ideal laptop stand for anyone who travels a lot. However, if you use it mainly at home and you have your laptop on your lap more than your desk or table, then this isn’t the stand for you. This stand earns four stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Snugg iPad 2 Executive Case and Stand in Black PU Leather

    The Snugg iPad 2 Executive Case and Stand in PU Leather is exactly what it’s long title suggests. It is an iPad case! It is generally known that iPad cases for iPad 2, iPad 3, or iPad 4 will fit with iPad 2, iPad 3 or iPad 4 interchangeably but if you are still worried that the iPad 2 Executive case won’t fit your iPad 4, don’t worry, Snugg sells the iPad 4 executive case. It’s the same case but if you’re ODD about it, Snugg has got you covered (which is okay, I get that way too sometimes). Anyways, the Executive case is available from Snugg for $39.99 direct. Let’s see if it can match it’s five star brother.

    Form

    The form of the case is very similar to it’s sibling that I reviewed earlier, the Snugg iPad 4 case. It has the same nice stitching, the same out of the way features such as the stylus holder and the strap. The front has the same out of the way branding and bifold. The inside is even nicer in this case than the other Snugg case. There are a few differences in the two cases, however. First, the feel of this case isn’t as soft as the other Snugg case I reviewed. Despite that, the case is very comfortable and it feels like it is still very sturdy, just as the other case is. Another difference is that this case has another cool feature that the other regular case did not have. This case has four really nice pockets built in. One is for bigger things such as paper, money, paper pad, pencils, pens etc. The other three pockets are for pens, slips of paper such as business cards, pencils and any other little object that fits. The pockets again are out of your way and are really useful when you use them. Once again, the form of a Snugg case aces.

    Function

    The case, like it’s sibling that I reviewed, is very good at protecting the iPad. It keeps the iPad snug inside while preventing it from breaking when dropped. It does a great job keeping it from getting scratches, big or small. The case, again like it’s equivalent, has a sturdy stand and puts the iPad at both a comfortable ergonomically correct typing angle and a comfortable widescreen, landscape view. The strap, again, is very handy and I really like the ability to carry the iPad around with one hand comfortably. The additional feature of the case, the added pockets really do come in handy and I’m sure that businessmen and women really appreciate this added feature, as well as doctors, lawyers and other professionals. The pockets do go a long way especially when you use them a lot. It adds a business side to the iPad case while still keeping it practical and light.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great aesthetics
    -Great design
    -Great protection
    -Great stand
    -Great strap
    -Great pockets

    Cons

    -For the third time, there is nothing that fits this category.

    Snugg has really delivered. They sent me three cases to review, two of the last case I reviewed and this one and all three are excellent cases. I mentioned in my last Snugg case review that I had used a Snugg case for a year or so. I will continue to use Snugg cases for as long as the ones I have received last and once they fall apart, if I don’t find an even better case than this, I will buy another. As with my last case, it is still at work, providing the same protection it provided me for my iPad now for my friend’s iPad and I expect it to last awhile longer. Great job Snugg on all the cases you sent me, keep doing what you’re doing, it’s working well.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Snugg iPad 4 Case Cover and Flip Stand in Blue PU Leather

    Here we have the iPad 4 Case Cover and Flip Stand in Blue PU Leather available from Snugg for $34.99. The case is actually the successor to a case that I used for my iPad 2 from when I first got the iPad 2 in 2011 until just recently. The case has changed for the better. Let’s see if it’s the iPad case for you for the price.

    Form

    For starters, before we even open the the case, it has a very nice feel to it. It feels soft to the touch even though it would protect it in a fall. The front of the case, of course, features the brand very cleanly and out of the way. From the get go, you can tell the case has a bi-fold, which I think tend to be better than tri-fold cases because of it being more easier to manage. The stitching also looks as though it was well done, just as your grandma would have it on the best sweater she ever made. It doesn’t have any loose ends and appears to be complete (I can’t say the same about the last iPad 2 case I had). Moving on to the back, you have a little fold that holds the cover to use as a stand, we’ll discuss that in a little more detail in the Function paragraph. Of course, that piece also has very well done stitching. There is a hole for the camera which does it’s job and nothing else, just as a camera hole should. When you open up the case, you have a left part, a center part, and a right part. The left part has a handle, held in nicely by an elastic material. It is useful should you want to hold it by one hand. The middle part is actually very important because it either lifts up the iPad when in typing stand mode (landscape), or it will be the stand that stands up the iPad in portrait stand mode. In addition, you have the right side which is the part that holds the iPad, which makes the appropriate cuts for the camera, home button and volume and brightness switches. All parts, of course, have the wonderfully done stitching, Grandma would be proud. There is one thing I haven’t mentioned yet. The case has a good blue color to it, not dark blue to where it’s almost black and not bright blue where it’s blinding my eyes. It’s just right, at least in my opinion on colors. Overall, the case is made very well.

    Function

    The case is a very well thought-out representation of the brand name, Snugg. The iPad is very “Snugg” inside the case. It’s comfortable for the iPad, while protecting against very hard floors that seem to attack it when it’s unprotected. Keep your iPad in the case and it will protect it against any reasonable fall (no, it probably won’t survive a 15 story fall but at that case the fault goes to the user, not the case). The case definitely does it’s job in it’s primary target. The stand also is very strong. The stand can be used for a typing angle or a watching a movie/widescreen view angle. It holds up no matter the surface, which is good considering that it is on my lap sometimes and I don’t want the stand un-standing when I am using it, unless of course I “un-stand” it. The strap that allows you to strap the case (and the iPad for that matter) to your hand is very functional. If you can’t hold it, strap it. Of course, you must have it standing upright and not down to your side for it to work, or it might slide off your hand. Of course, any practical person would not do this anyway so it is understood that this is not the case’s fault. There is one neat feature about this case that I like. If you own a stylus, which I do, you can attach it to the top of your iPad onto a tab that comes out of the case that folds in when not in use. Therefore, if you don’t use it, keep it tugged in and it won’t get in your way. Also, even if it’s not tugged in, it won’t get in your way. If you don’t own a stylus, it will fit a pen too. There is a beauty to the case, it’s simple and nothing gets in your way. If you don’t want to use the extra strap to strap it to your hand or you don’t want to use the stylus/pen holder, you can tuck it away while still being there anytime you want it to be. They are hidden but still there. Overall, the case excels in this category.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great aesthetics
    -Great protection
    -Great stand
    -Included stylus/pen holder works and can be hidden when you don’t want it
    -Included strap to strap the iPad to your hand works well, there is also a headrest mount that is sold seperately that this will attach to

    Cons

    -For the second time ever, there is nothing that fits this category

    I have had a very positive experience with Snugg. I have owned their previous iPad 2 case and it lasted me more than a year, and it would have lasted me more than that had I not given it away to a friend recently (he is enjoying it throughly). It beats out the case that I have been using and it will last me a long time. I know that the case will protect my iPad for another year or hopefully longer this time. This case is a very nice case and it will serve you well. As you read above, I have nothing but good things to say about this case, therefore it is easily given 5 stars. Plus, it’s $34.99, which I think is a great price for this case. Great job Snugg on this awesome case!

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe