How to Buy Tablet Floor Stands: Guide and Options
Tablet PC Floor Stands: Uses
The floor stands are useful when you need a totally hands-free experience for your tablet device. Contrary to other stands, floor stands can be placed easily on the floor. Some uses include:
- Reading a book or watching movie while relaxing on your sofa or bed
- Using in the kitchen to follow recipe instructions
- Listening to music or Watching movies while at gym
- Video chatting with friends and family while working
- Using your tablet as a digital clock by placing it anywhere
- Displaying or demonstrating a presentation in classroom or office conference room
Tablet PC Floor Stands: Types
Tablet floor stands can be classified into three basic categories/types on the basis of their structure, flexibility and features.
Sturdy: This type of floor stands has a rigid pole which is not bendable and can’t be rotated or tilted. It is best for someone who needs a stationary stand for demonstration purposes only. Some instances include using the tablet as a clock, or presenting some video/lesson to a group of people.
Flexible: These tablet floor stands are by far the most popular of all. Their arm or the main pole is made of flexible material which provides for easy bending, tilting and swiveling of the tablet.
Hybrid: This type covers all those floor stands which come with both floor stand and mount versions. These are versatile, but expensive.
Tablet PC Floor Stands: Prices & Where to Buy
No single online store sells all of the tablet floor stands on the market. Many of these floor stands are available through the manufacturer’s own site. Prices can vary a lot. Most of the expensive stands are costly not because they have better features, but rather because on the material used. Expect to spend from $70 to $700.
Tablet PC Floor Stands: What to Look for Before Buying
The following checklist will surely help you decide which floor stand would be best for your tablet or e-book reader.
- Why do you need it? Is it to be used for reading books or watching movies? Do you need it for displaying something?
- Where do you need it? You will need different stands for home and office.
- What is your tablet model? Do you need one for your iPad or are looking something to hold your Kindle while you read books.
- Flexible or sturdy? Make sure you buy a product that fits your durability needs.
- Cheap or pricey? Though you can’t spend less than $50 and buy a decent tablet floor stand, there are some inexpensive options.
- Which brand to choose? Well known brands may have better product.
- Where to buy? Online or retail? The choice is yours, but online shopping does save a lot of time and effort.
Tablet PC Floor Stands: Some Picks
Below are some floor stands picked based on their popularity and customer rating.
iProp
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Launched at CES 2011, iProp is a floor stand specially designed for the Apple iPad. The stand features a long, bendable neck and ball-and-socket connector to support easy tilting and bending. On top there is an ABS plastic holder which grabs your tablet firmly. You can swivel the neck in all directions, thanks to its full 360-degree rotation feature. This structure stands on a heavy V-shaped base (weighing 1.8kg) making the total height of the stand 36”.
Price: US$79.99
Compatibility: iPad, iPad 2
Where to Buy: iProp
Deluxe Kindle & iPad Stand
This flexible tablet floor stand is one of the top-sellers on Amazon. The square base has 4 wheels which allow easy transport of the stand from one place to another. The design is sleek, yet quite ergonometric, so that the user enjoys a hands-free session every time. You can just it in a number of positions for your ease. The holder is attached to the stand with a hinge which allows rotation of your tablet or e-book reader to any orientation (landscape/portrait).
Price: US$159
Compatibility: iPad, iPad 2, Kindle, and many e-book readers and tablets
Where to Buy: Amazon
MyKiosk
MyKiosk is another stand designed for the Apple iPad. It comes in both floor stand and wall mount versions. The wall mount unit can be attached to a wall or desk. Though the floor version’s arm is bent by design, you can’t tilt or bend more for ease of use. That makes it a sturdy floor stand which is best used for display.
Price: Starting US$499
Compatibility: iPad, iPad 2
Where to Buy: MyKiosk
Water-Loaded Base Floor Stand
This unique stand comes with a water-bag base which needs water to be filled in the support stand structure. The height is adjustable (from 17cm to 150cm) for the stand, which is made of heavy spring. You can tilt it as much as you wish. It supports 360-degree rotation so you can swivel the screen in any direction.
Price: US$119.99
Compatibility: iPad, iPad 2, UMPC, EEE PC, Samsung Galaxy P7100 Tab 10.1, Motorola Xoom MZ601, Motorola Xoom MX604, Motorola Xoom MZ600, LG Optimus 3D P920, HP Touch Pad, Blackberry Playbook LTE, Blackberry Playbook
Where to Buy: USBFever
Heavy Duty Floor Stand
This is the heavier version of the water-loaded base floor stand. It has a metal base weighing around 2.5kg. That makes it a heavy-duty stand which remains firm wherever you place it. All the other features are same as the water-loaded version.
Price: US$179.99
Compatibility: iPad, iPad 2, UMPC, EEE PC, Samsung Galaxy P7100 Tab 10.1, Motorola Xoom MZ601, Motorola Xoom MX604, Motorola Xoom MZ600, LG Optimus 3D P920, HP Touch Pad, Blackberry Playbook LTE, Blackberry Playbook
Where to Buy: USBFever
Glass Base Floor Stand
It is yet another version of both of the previous (heavy-duty and water base) floor stands. It features a stylish and durable glass base. You can use this stand as a part of a room’s decoration.
Price: US$139.99
Compatibility: iPad, iPad 2, UMPC, EEE PC, Samsung Galaxy P7100 Tab 10.1, Motorola Xoom MZ601, Motorola Xoom MX604, Motorola Xoom MZ600, LG Optimus 3D P920, HP Touch Pad, Blackberry Playbook LTE, Blackberry Playbook
Where to Buy: USBFever
Arktis iPad Floor Stand
This 109cm high stainless steel stand has been designed to hold the iPad. Though it has an adjustable holder to fit any iPad versions, the stand is a sturdy one and can only be used for display in lounges, hotels, libraries and like. The base is a circular steel disk that provides reliable support.
Price: US$299
Compatibility: iPad, iPad 2
Where to Buy: Amazon
Arktis iPad Floor Stand with Gooseneck
It is the flexible version of the previous iPad floor stand, and comes with a gooseneck. All the other features are same.
Price: US$499.99
Compatibility: iPad, iPad 2
Where to Buy: Amazon
Motorola Xoom Holder Stand
Specially designed for Motorola Xoom, this stand comes with an adjustable 40-inch steel base which firmly holds the stand in its position. The entire stand is made of steel but coated in vinyl for easy handling and use. On the top there is a 16-inch arm which is flexiable, making it possible to put your tablet in to any position and/or viewing angle you want.
Price: US$149.99
Compatibility: Motorola Xoom
Where to Buy: Amazon
iPad Holder Stand
This is the iPad version of the previous floor stand with the same features and the same price, but the arm in 18-inches long instead of 16.
Price: US$149.99
Compatibility: iPad, iPad 2
Where to Buy: Amazon
References
- Image Credited to the links mentioned.
- iProp Launch at CES, http://ces.cnet.com/8301-32254_1-20027050-283.html
