Pricey tablet stand almost delivers

XFLEX tablet computer stand
$99.99 at BiteMyApple.co

This elegant-looking accessory for tablet computer fans is just the thing for iPad owners who feel their arms getting tired. But while it’s a nice device, it needs a tweak or two to make it just about perfect.

As it is, the XFLEX isn’t half bad. You get a big, heavy but attractively styled base, with a slot on one side. Into that slot snaps a stout but highly flexible arm with a suction cup on the other end. You just press the tablet against the cup, then snap a lever to form a vacuum and hold the tablet in place. With the XFLEX, you can easily rest an iPad on your desk or kitchen countertop, leaving your hands free for other work.

But the suction cup makes me nervous. As the instructions warn, it could lose its grip if you attach it incorrectly, or you’ve left dust and dirt on its surface. One little slip, and your $600 tablet could meet an ugly end. The XFLEX also lacks an easy way to rotate the mounting so you can easily turn the tablet sideways. Instead, you must detach the suction cup. That’s an invitation to disaster if you’re as clumsy as me.

I’d prefer an XFLEX that holds the tablet around its edges and used a rotary mounting for easy turning. I’d also like one that’s a good deal cheaper. Still, it makes an attractive iPad holder for those who trust suction cups more than I do.