iPad Stand Review: Griffin Loop

At first glance, this stand looks ordinary, but once you use it, you’ll love how elegantly it holds you iPad in a few different configurations.

The Griffin Loop is basically an oval-shaped piece. On the bottom of the Loop are three non-slip pieces. This keeps the stand in place. There are two cutouts that holds the iPad in an upright position. This is the perfect angle for watching videos. The iPad could be placed in either portrait mode or landscape.

The more interesting position is when you lay the iPad right on top of the Loop. This angle and position is perfect if you’re playing a tapping game like “Plants vs Zombies” or “We Rule” or just surfing websites. It’s one of few stands that hold the iPad in a comfortable gaming position.

Although, packing this stand is not recommended due to the space it takes up, it’s perfect to put in the kitchen or near your work area to hold up your iPad. It’s a strong and sturdy stand that you’ll definitely enjoy.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars · $29.99 · GriffinTechnology.com

Disclosure: This product was sent by Griffin Technology for review purposes. This is part of Beatweek Magazine’s coverage of iPad products. Opinions expressed in this article are my own.

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iPad Case Review: Griffin AirStrap

The Griffin AirStrap is a case with that has the right combination of sturdy hardness for protection, yet still have a touch of softness for comfort. Made of a non-slip material, this case is the perfect solution for those times when you need to hold the iPad in just one hand.

The case encompasses all the edges of the iPad with a thick hard plastic. This piece has little grooves in it, making it easy to hold onto. The edges have cutouts for ports such as the headset, mic, orientation button, speakers, and charger. On/Off and volume buttons are accessible, but covered by the case. What makes this case special is the wide neoprene strap on the back. Slip your hand in and you can safely hold the iPad with just one hand.

The strap on the back has little bumps to keep the iPad from slipping against your hand. It securely holds it in place, but once you’re done holding it, you may find your hand filled with little round bumps. Not to worry, they go away in a matter of minutes. I did find that the strap is a bit tight and restricts the blood flow to your hands. So be sure to remove it from your hand when not needed.

Overall, this case is great when you need to use the iPad while walking. One hand will hold the iPad securely, while the other one is jotting down notes or drawing.

The Griffin AirStrap is available in only black and can be purchased for $49.99.

Rating: 4.5 our of 5 stars · $49.99 · GriffinTechnology.com · Purchase on Amazon

Disclosure: This product was sent by Griffin for review purposes. This is part of Beatweek Magazine’s coverage of iPad products. Opinions expressed in this article are my own.

Popularity: 4% [?]

iPad Stand Review: Griffin A-Frame

At first glance, the Griffin A-Frame may look like a mini easle, but upon closer examination, it’s a well-thought out iPad stand with multiple uses!

The stand is made of a heavy aluminum — heavy, more as in sturdiness than weight — and has soft non-slip rubber around the hinges and where the stand meets the table/desktop, as well as where it may touch the iPad.

The attention to detail on this accessory is really nice. Any part of that may touch the iPad is lined with a soft rubber so the iPad would not scratch. The metal used is cleanly cut, leaving no sharp edges on the stand. The stand also folds neatly into a flat position, making it easier to pack in your luggage/gadget bags.

There are a few ways of using the Griffin A-Frame. You can it stand upright and put your iPad on it in either landscape or portrait mode. That’s one thing that works very well with this stand — the ability to have your iPad in landscape mode. Pair it with a bluetooth keyboard and you have a mini workstation.

Another way to use the stand is to have it flat on the desk and have your iPad sit in landscape mode on top of it. This provides a slight angle that’s perfect for typing onscreen. Your wrists rests on the bottom of the stand and you can comfortably type on the iPad for a while.

Having a thin case on the iPad or none at all is optional. The stand will hold the iPad either way. Some examples of how you can use the stand are:

• When syncing or charging your device. Just have the device lay on the stand in landscape mode and connect.
• Set up the stand and iPad in the kitchen and watch your favorite shows as you do dishes.
• Set it up on your desk to quickly and easily view your calendar and notes.
• Connect a keyboard and you have a mini and portable workstation.
• Use it as a stand for your iPad photo frame.

There are many more situations where you would want to use a stand, but I’ll leave that up to you to discover.

The Griffin A-Frame stand unclutters your workspace, while making it a little more sophisticated. Having the stand on your desk makes you iPad take up less room as well as make the content on your iPad more accessible and easier to read.

Overall, the Griffin A-Frame gets an A+ in my book. It’s solid, durable, and versatile. The Griffin A-Frame iPad stand is available for $49.99 at GriffinTechnology.com.

Popularity: 3% [?]

iPad Case Review: Griffin’s Elan Passport Folio

This is a hands-on review of Griffin Technology’s Elan Passport Folio Case for iPad.

Although there are lot of cases in fun and bright colors for the iPad, you may still want to dress it up in a tux now and then. That’s where the Elan Passport Folio Case comes in. It’s a sleek case that gives your iPad a whole new professional look. You look like a businessperson carrying it and it’s perfect for taking into the office. Another benefit is that it conceals the iPad pretty well so people would not know that you’re carrying an iPad. This is good if you don’t want your investment to have “steal me” written all over it. It looks like a daily planner or small paper notebook when closed up.

Putting your iPad into the case is easy. Insert the iPad in on the right side first. The latches on this side do not stretch. The latches on the left side are flexible; stretch them so they hold the iPad in place.

The interior of the Elan Passport Folio is made of a soft gray microsuede lining the protects your iPad from scratches. Credit cards and business cards fit nicely in the 4 pocket inserts on the left flap. There is also a side pocket where you can insert larger sheets of paper into. The portfolio case is closed securely with a strap and insert on the outer front side of the case.

Beside being a great carrying case, I also found multiple uses for it. It could also be used as a digital photo frame, a TV stand, or even a desktop calendar. If you insert the iPad in and flip the covers inside-out, it will stand up. This allows you to display the iPad on your desk. If you use it this way, I would recommend putting a book or something heavy behind the case so it doesn’t slide too far back and fall down.

The Elan Passport Folio Case for iPad by Griffin Technology is available in black (with gray interior) and can be purchased at GriffinTechnology.com for $49.99.

Disclosure: This product was sent by Griffin Technology for review purposes. This is part of Beatweek Magazine’s coverage of iPad products. Opinions expressed in this article are my own.

Popularity: 3% [?]