Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This black AmazonBasics Portable Fold-Up Travel Stand is a truly versatile device. It's compact and quite well engineered, and is the perfect portable accompaniment for the Kindle Fire, the legacy Kindle e-book readers, the new iPad or iPad 2, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and probably many more. In my case, I have a Kindle Fire and a Kindle 2, so interchangeability between devices is not only important, but also essential. For those wishing for the quick points, here they are Pros: * Can be quickly and easily adjusted into a wide variety of viewing angles * Very sturdy construction; doesn't feel junky or cheap * Quite convenient; folds up to 7 x 1 x 1 inches for good portability * Soft foam-padded surfaces on bottom prevent sliding; won't scratch furniture * Padded grips where the tablet or e-reader sits; keeps device in place; no scratching * Foam padded back support; keeps tablet stable and won't scratch the case * Good IKEA-style simple Quick Start instruction sheet in multiple languages * Frustration-Free Packaging; no irritating plastic clamshell to open when received Cons: * Very minor point: most devices can't be charged in the vertical (portrait) mode; there's no space for most cable connectors In Use: I had picked up the AmazonBasics Mini Travel Stand earlier, and at barely over two inches long have found it excellent for quick field use and extreme portability. Small and very compact, it folds up and snaps shut so that it can put in your pocket (or purse) without taking up much room. That one is good for stable, flat surface locations where there isn't too much activity going on, and I've found it excellent with my Kindle 2 with it's 6-inch display when it's removed from its leather cover. The newer Kindle Touch or any of the newer versions with the 6-inch E Ink display would have no problems with the Mini Travel Stand. At 7 x 1 x 1 inches, the newer AmazonBasics Portable Fold-Up Travel Stand may lack the compactness of the Mini version, but when it comes to outright versatility, this is where it really shines. To begin with, its range of adjustments is exceptionally good, and I did not have to remove the Marware Vibe Case Cover from my Kindle Fire, nor the leather cover from my Kindle 2, in order to use it with this stand. It can be quickly changed in a wide array of positions for viewing, in either the horizontal (landscape) or vertical (portrait) position. And using it with the Kindle Fire, I found that it wasn't moving all over the place when used with a stylus. The foam padding has been placed in all of the crucial areas where it may be needed. The foam-padded surfaces on bottom of the feet prevent sliding, even when being used on a flat surface with a stylus, and it won't scratch your furniture. The adjustable foam-padded back support helps keeps tablet stable in use, and the padded grips where the tablet or e-reader sits add to the stability. This one is designed where it won't scratch the case. Note that there are some other brands, such as the Arkon Portable Fold-Up Stand, that may offer a similar design and features as this one, but I personally trust the AmazonBasics products that I've found here as they have a decent guarantee, and based on my experience with one defective item, I do like their responsiveness when things go wrong. Bottom Line: It didn't take me long to figure out that this AmazonBasics Portable Fold-Up Travel Stand would be the default choice for use with my Kindle Fire, and the Mini Travel Stand would be the one for my Kindle 2. Each one has its good points, as you can see here, but that's a subjective choice, so take for what it's worth to you. Admittedly if I had to pick just one I would go with the newer Fold-Up Travel Stand simply because of its overall usefulness and functionality. This AmazonBasics Portable Fold-Up Travel Stand has true Swiss Army knife versatility, and I have no problems recommending this as an excellent product at a very good price. 6/8/2012