The TabGrip Stand for the iPad, a decent stand with a major problem
At Macworld 2011, I was shown the TabGrip (US$39.99), which looked and felt like a great iPad stand; I didn't realize that it had a major problem until I got it home and installed it. It's a stand that works in either landscape or portrait orientation. It consists of four riveted hard plastic sides connected by a soft and pliable rubber backing that allows you to stretch it so that each side snaps onto each of the four sides of the iPad.
The four riveted sides contain a hinged foot that allows you to stand your iPad just about any way you'd like. It is very uncomfortable on your lap, but it's meant to be stood on a table, so no problem there. The feet don't lock, so you really can't exert too much pressure on it before the feet slide down, but it's really not meant for use in that manner. For typing or viewing, the feet are sturdy enough.
With the feet folded against the iPad, holding it feels great. It seems to make the iPad more rigid and adds very little weight. When you hold it, it makes the unit feel very sturdy, and the rubberized grips feel just about perfect. Holding the iPad by the top and sides can add a lot to gaming or just about anything else, and since it doesn't block any of the screen, the TabGrip adds a bit of well designed lightweight heft in any position. The grips are of a size that won't let the iPad touch the ground, either from the front or back, since they are slightly thicker than the tablet.
When I held it in the TabGrip booth, I immediately noticed that it felt perfect and didn't let your fingers slide around due to the texture of the grips. In short -- I was quite impressed and thought that it was a great design that really improved the user experience of holding or standing an iPad any way you could imagine. At least until I got it home and installed it.
In order to get it onto your iPad, you need to really stretch the rubber backing and pull each grip enough so that it snaps onto each side. I did enjoy using it, until I realized that for me it was a one way trip -- I tried and failed to remove it. I couldn't pull the grips enough to take it off of any of the four sides, and I quickly realized that unless I wanted to put my screen in jeopardy, the only way for me to take it off was to cut the pliable backing with a scissor or knife, destroying the unit entirely, and that's just what I did. There was no way that I was going to risk breaking my iPad for a stand no matter how good it felt. Now I'm left with four pieces of garbage that each have part of the backing and one riveted grip. Into the trash it went.
I should have seen it coming when I realized how much I had to stretch the backing to install it. However, I didn't, and I would feel quite ripped off if I paid for it and couldn't remove it without destroying either it or the screen of my iPad.
Your mileage may vary (and you may have stronger hands than I do), but I can't recommend buying a TabGrip. It's a nice idea, but they didn't think through the design. Unless you decide that you'll never remove it, consider it an accident waiting to happen -- or, make sure you have a really strong friend.
In the video below, you'll see Mike Rose checking out the TabGrip at Macworld Expo with Shawn King (Shawn was a big fan of the case, but that might have been before he tried to take one off an iPad). While Mike isn't exactly a 90-pound weakling, he has quite a bit of trouble with the case and it takes a lot of effort to get it removed. Like I said, I couldn't do it at all.
Post edited to clarify that the case is removable with sufficient effort.
Share
Source: http://www.tabgrip.com/
Categories
At Macworld 2011, I was shown the TabGrip (US$39.99), which looked and felt like a great iPad stand; I didn't realize that it had a major...
Add a Comment
1. Which case did I compare it to? Should be easy to look up, as my post is just six up from this one.
2. "the characterization of it having 'major' problems due to the reviewer's inability to remove it" is not even IN my assessment above. At most, I expressed a disinterest because it takes a few seconds or more to put it on or take it off (like a case). My bigger problem was with an issue that no one has yet refuted from the review: "The feet don't lock, so you really can't exert too much pressure on it before the feet slide down." Why would you want a stand that doesn't stand when interacted with? Go ahead and refute it now, but after everyone was calling David a wuss, I can't imagine he was just overpowering this thing with brute force.
3. To call my observations "less valid" because of what they're based on, after having completely misrepresented what I said, and putting words in my mouth, is a pretty dick move.
Thanks for your additional comments. The TabGrip really isn't a case or a stand in the traditional sense. We believe it has the important attributes of both cases and stands while adding extra useful functionality. The legs do lock when in the full picture frame position or full banked position. When used in angles between those positions, you should position the legs in an "A" position. The TabGrip isn't intended to take "in between" positions when the legs are in a "V" position. Check out the review at http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/01/18/tabgrip-ultimate-ipad-accessory/. There are several pictures of the TabGrip in that review of the proper "in between" positions. In the banked or even proper "in between" positions, you can freely interact with the iPad and apply a lot of force without causing the legs to slide down. Try it and let us know what you think! We think you'll change your mind about it.
February 15 2011 at 7:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIt seemed like a video was in order, so we posted an installation and removal video done quickly with an iPhone at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDk9moHblJo. Check it out. We're happy to let the viewers decide how hard or easy the TabGrip is to install or remove. Thanks to everyone for their comments...we'd love to hear more...
February 15 2011 at 1:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm a 12 year old girl and I find it hard to believe you had so much trouble. I found it easy to remove. I see you knocked Sean in your comments. Are you mad at Sean? Your right though, my 4 year old brother couldn't remove it....
February 15 2011 at 11:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyhahahahaha!!!
February 15 2011 at 11:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFirst, thanks to David Winograd for his review. We all have our personal views, and we respect that. When we developed the TabGrip, we anaylzed and tested installation and removal difficulty. We believe the TabGrip is fairly easy to install and remove. Specific illustrated instructions are included with the TabGrip and provide an ideal method of installation/removal. We installed and removed the TabGrip hundreds of times just at the 2011 CES and MacWorld, and we didn't damage or scratch any iPad. Our customers love the TabGrip, and we haven't received any complaint of a damaged iPad. We feel so strongly about this that we will offer all readers here an easy opportunity to try it themselves. Buy one and try it for 30 days. If you don't like it, just mention David's review and we'll give you a 100% refund including shipping/taxes. At TabGrip, we love challenges...
February 15 2011 at 9:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI hear the TabGrip manufacturer has made a deal, to the effect that, Mike Rose will visit your home weekly to inspect your installation and remove the TabGrip from the iPad, if needed.
February 14 2011 at 6:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"you'll see Mike Rose checking out the TabGrip at Macworld Expo with Shawn King (Shawn was a big fan of the case, but that might have been before he tried to take one off an iPad)."
Mike does have a difficult time removing the TabGrip. It would be easy to make a joke of that (I mean, look at the size of him! :) ) but I'll say this....
After Expo, I received three TabGrips for review/prizes. Because of this TUAW "review", I tested all three of them and did not have the trouble Mike or the reviewer seemed to have. I had no trouble getting the TabGrip on or off of my iPad with no strain or difficulty.
I use the TabGrip frequently and have had many opportunities to put it on and take it off as have friends I have shown it to. None of them experienced the issues described in this review.
As to "punkassjim" who claims the TabGrip is a case and, therefore, unsuitable, redefining what it is and then comparing it to unsimilar things is a pointless argument.
Would hate to see how long this post was BEFORE is was edited.
685 words just to make the point your a wuse?
I bought one at Macworld. I love it. Easiest way to hold an iPad. I've taken it on and off a couple times. More worried about the case than the iPad - don't want to stretch it and have it get permanently loose.
Biggest complaints: can't use the iPad camera connector with it. Feet are hard plastic so using it
On a hard surface in a vertical orientation results in it sliding. If you have it closer to horizontal it works well.
"It is very uncomfortable on your lap, but it's meant to be stood on a table, so no problem there. The feet don't lock, so you really can't exert too much pressure on it before the feet slide down, but it's really not meant for use in that manner."
So, ignoring for the moment that it's difficult to install and remove...you're saying that it's mediocre at what it's supposed to do, and actually "uncomfortable" in 90% of the uses cases for the iPad in general? But your conclusion is "no problem there?"
Huh.
I'm a really big fan of the ModulR case system. I've been surprised how well it holds on and yet how easy it is to remove.
Sorry to sound like an ad, I'm really not at all involved with the company--just amazed with it.
Deals of the Day
more deals- Acoustic Research Digital Photo Frame with iPod Dock for $50 + free shipping
- Targus Truss Case for iPad and iPad 2 for $15 + free shipping
- Apple iPhone 4 8GB for Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint for $50 + pickup at Best Buy
- Unlocked iPhone 4S 16GB for GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile) for $619 + free shipping
- Apple iMac Core i7 Quad 3.4GHz 27" w/ 24GB RAM, 2TB HDD for $2,677 + $29 s&h
- Used Apple Magic Mouse for $36 + $4 s&h
Software Updates
more updatesFeatured Stories
more stories
Popular Stories
TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
21 Comments