The $0.69 iPad Stand

drewvigal:

Bought a wireless keyboard today to eventually replace the iPad Keyboard Dock I ordered online with my iPad. One really should try out a product before buying peripherals. But what I was really looking for was a stand that kept my iPad upright in either landscape or portrait. Neither the Keyboard Dock nor the iDock does this… granted, those do charge the iPad while docked. And I saw Griffin’s A-Frame: Tabletop Stand for iPad in stock at the Apple Store. But at $49… it’s ridiculously expensive.

Then I went to Office Depot and found this: Business Card Holder for $0.69.

Of course, this isn’t made for the iPad. So don’t expect the stability you’d want from rough handling or turbulence on a flight. And when used in tilt mode for on-screen keyboard typing, the curved top and smooth surface don’t really give enough traction to prevent from the occasional slippage. I ended up putting some gaffers tape to improve the friction.

But it’s less than a buck. And it keeps my iPad screen tilted enough for easy viewing. That’s what I need while writing on a wireless keyboard. Oh… a mouse would be nice. But more on that later.

BTW, I twittered last week that I found another device that can tilt the iPad for easy typing: my iPhone.

I’ve tried this out and it works splendidly. I would team up with some friends if you plan on ordering online, however. The stands are $0.69 but shipping is 10 bucks, even if you buy just one. 

Just look at that image on the right. It looks like a laptop from the future.