Tablets are ideal for watching films and series in bed or on the couch. The only problem is that you then have to hold your tablet. The Tstand 2 does that for you and can also function as a desk stand.
Tstand 2
price € 54, – discount via Kickstarter (normal price 88 euros) including shipping
Dimensions
38 x 24 x 6 cm (folded), height for desk use: 16 cm
Weight 547 grams
Website wwww.kickstarter.com
8 Score 80 
- Pros
- Solid
- Can be used universally
- Simple operation
- Negatives
- Greasy finger-sensitive
- No height adjustment
The Tstand 2 is nice and simple and universal to use. The adjustable holder will swallow almost any smartphone, e-reader or tablet. In theory, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will even fit in it, but then there will be so much play on the adjustable arm that I wouldn’t recommend it. You also have to watch out with covers that are too thick. Normal leather or plastic covers work fine and covers with a flap on the front still fit. You really shouldn’t go fatter.
Dual use
The Tstand 2 can be used on both sides thanks to the rotatable holder arm. With the legs down, it is suitable for use on the sofa or in bed. The ‘frame’ of the Tstand 2 then rests on your chest. With the legs up, it is suitable for use on a table or desk. This way your tablet is better at eye level and you can use a separate Bluetooth keyboard to use it as a laptop. The only drawback of the holder arm is that it is not adjustable in height. The bottom of your tablet or smartphone always remains at the same height. This is not a problem for desk use, but you sometimes miss it with landscape use.
Rubber finish
The Tstand 2 has a rubber coating. That gives a more luxurious feel than bare plastic, but it makes it sensitive to greasy fingers. That looks a little less luxurious after a while. The holder arm is adjustable thanks to a pair of post elastics. That may seem a bit rickety, but in practice everything up to and including the 10.9-inch iPad Air is very firm. The rubber insert for use with smartphones also feels very solid, as does the rotating mechanism of the holder arm.
Kickstarter upgrades
The version of the Tstand 2 that I tested was still an early production version. There is one running at the moment Kickstart campaign for and with that some extras are ‘unlocked’ that I couldn’t test yet. First of all, you now get rubber feet that I missed a lot for desk use during testing my version. Without rubber feet, the stand moves too easily with touch control. You also get extra rubber bands. According to the makers, these rubber bands last at least 1-2 years, depending on how often you use the Tstand 2. That saves you bumping rubber bands at the postman.
Conclusion
The Tstand 2 is certainly not an indispensable helper, but it is very useful, especially if you lie on the couch or in bed, looking or reading a lot. The temporary offer price via Kickstarter makes him interesting. I think the price without that discount is too high. Ideal to give someone a gift and then use it yourself!
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