From LEGOs To Live Animals – An Early Look At DIY iPad Stands

The iPad has been out less than a week and already some clever do it yourself docks and stands are beginning to appear. Sure you can plonk down $30 and get the official Apple iPad dock … or better yet, $130 for the awesome Joule work stand for iPad … but where’s the pride and sense of accomplishment in that? Meh, don’t be a gadget snob … save cash, buy more apps. Check out these alternative DIY iPad stands.

Book Stand
They go by various names … book stand – study stand – paper stand … and will run you in the $8 to $10 ballpark … but WTH, they work and can display your iPad in portrait or landscape mode. Plus the stand folds up flat making it totally portable. Check out your local office supplies store (Staples, Office Depot, etc.) and save big.

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Folding Easel
Folding easels are cool. They can display photographs, cookbooks or your child’s sponge paintings. And if you get the 6.5” version … this $6 folding easel becomes an iPad stand. Visit your local craft store (Michaels, Jo-Ann, etc.) or online at Bed Bath & Beyond.

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Tinkertoy
Ramin Firoozye constructed the first-ever iPad stand made entirely from Tinkertoys. It’s lightweight, easily assembled and features adjustable angles for your iPad viewing pleasure.

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LEGO
Cleverly named the “Mk II”, it seems Jeff Eaton is the first to assemble a functioning LEGO iPad stand … or at least the first and only LEGO iPad stand we could find on the Internet. The Mk II is totally cool and we love how Jeff incorporated the rubber tires into his design … however with our mere mortal LEGO skills, the Mk II is wishful thinking. Hopefully our boy Chris Harrison will come up with a 7-piece LEGO iPad stand.

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Wet Nose – Bad Breath
Ok, we admit … this final option is not cheap. But for years of companionship, unconditional love and a warm lap … using your pet as an iPad stand is priceless.

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