a review by Tom Piper
I have three iPads in my home, all of which need to be held vertically from time to time for easy reading and reference. I’ve collected a variety of stands over the years, but my latest acquisition deserves publicity.
The GroovBoard is burly, sturdy and has lots of character. The beech wood of my model is a great fit for a Scandinavian interior design style (for example IKEA) or any other style with bright, modern colors. It combines the minimalistic purity of the maple model with the warm character of the cherry model. This model features:
- Solid beech construction with a solvent-free linseed oil finish, neodymium magnets, and self-adhesive anti-slip rubber feet
- Size of 11.8 x 9 x 0.95 inches (300 x 230 x 24 mm) and weight of 2.4 lbs (1,100 grams)
- Supports iPad 1, 2, 3, 4, Air and mini with Smart Covers
- Stylus holders support styluses of up to 12 mm diameter, such as the Wacom Bamboo Stylus, Adonit Jot Pro, Pogo Sketch, or various ink pens
- Protective bag included
The GroovBoard gives me several options for using my iPad comfortably with or without an external keyboard, with a stylus, on my couch or easy chair, in bed or at a desk or table. In flat mode, the two main grooves hold my iPad securely at two distinct angles, and let me use an external keyboard when the iPad is in the back groove.
In upright mode, the iPad sits in the top groove, rested against my thighs and the back (or, in this mode, upper) groove becomes a mount for the Apple Wireless Keyboard. Two stylus holders on the left and right side of the board hold on to my stylus in both flat and upright mode. When the GroovBoard is used in upright mode with my knees pulled up, I can remove the magnetically attached handrest to move the iPad to a lower, more comfortable position, if desired. This is most useful when using the iPad in this position without an external keyboard.
When I want to use the GroovBoard on my desk or countertop, six anti-slip rubber feet support it, and protect both the GroovBoard and the respective surface from scratches. When I watch movies on my iPad, with a speaker placed in front of the iPad with the front facing the iPad's screen, the sound gets reflected off of the screen at an angle that makes it sound like the audio is coming right out of the iPad. I can even sit a cup of coffee or other refreshment right on the board when using the iPad (as long as I don’t jiggle it).
This is a wonderful unit that is available in Alder, Antique Oak, Apple, Bamboo, Beech, Cherry, Maple, Plum or Walnut. You can learn more about its features and functionality at http://groovboard.co. It is made in southern Bavaria, Germany, and can be purchased for $99 plus shipping (usually $24 to the US). You can also get accessories such as a Sensu Brush, Wacom Bamboo stylus, stylus nibs, GroovBoard cushion, iPad sleeve (Merino, Lleyn Sattlerschorsch Muuh, filz:stueck Leather, or Rum Diary), or Vandebag iPad skin or case. This is an unusual, high quality and treasured family of products that won’t disappoint you.
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