The PadPivot is a “Lap and Desk Stand” for the iPad and other tablet-sized devices.  I had purchased an original iPad the previous year and had kept looking for a nice desk stand and/or way to hold the iPad, the PadPivot seemed like a good idea.

Kickstarter Info

  • Kickstarter Site: PadPivot Lap and Desk Stand
  • Date Funded:  2011 March 14
  • Total Backers:  4,823
  • Total Raised:  $190,352 vs. Goal:  $10,000
  • Date Backed:  2011 January 31
  • Backer Level:  PadPivot Kicker Level
  • Backer Price:  $35.00
  • Item Received:  May 2011
  • My Site Credits:  https://www.padpivot.com/welcome/hof
  • Item Current Whereabouts:  In my basement somewhere

Retail Info

Physical Design

The physical design of the PadPivot is ABS plastic and rubber coatings.  Unfortunately, this leads to a bit of a cheap feel when you’re manipulating it.  I say “manipulate” because that’s exactly what you have to do.  After taking it out of your carrying bag, you have to assemble it.  The assembly and disassembly (and reassembly in a different configuration if you want to store it back in the bag) is cumbersome and not straightforward.  There are several pieces that have to be screwed and unscrewed to get your PadPivot up and running.  Additionally, the Kickstarter version (can’t speak to later models) had a huge problem with the tension ring.  If you got the swivel tight, you could accidentally overtorque the fastener by just rotating the iPad.  This would result in the tension ring snapping.

Initial Impressions

My initial impressions were negative.  The “grippy pad” that was to hold the iPad worked okay, but after a few uses I could tell that it was going to get covered in dust and debris and lose its tackiness.  Yes, you can rinse it in water and that is supposed to “rejuvenate” it.  I’ve played with different types of rubber “grippy” stuff, they never work as well as new after washing them.  Secondly, the PadPivot was just too hard to disassemble, reassemble, and then break back down again.  Probably wouldn’t be a big deal if once you got it set up, you left it alone.  However, if you’re just going to use it as a desk stand, then there are much better alternatives.  The whole point of the project was for this to be portable, and while it was, it wasn’t a great experience.  I can’t really do the assembly justice, so here’s a video of what you’re supposed to do every time you want to take your PadPivot out and use it (and then of course, reverse the process to put it away):

Impressions after 1 Month

It’s been a bit more than 1 Month since I first acquired my PadPivot, but I wanted to stick with the format I’m going to be using for these Kickstarter reviews going forward.  However, my impression of this accessory hasn’t changed in the intervening years.  It’s been sitting in my basement in its case since about a week after I got it.

What I’m Currently Doing with my PadPivot

Wishing I had my money back for a different Kickstarter campaign.  That’s what you get, sometimes things work out well, sometimes they don’t.  I don’t regret the purchase, it was worth a shot.

Conclusion

This was the second Kickstarter project I backed.  I can’t recommend someone purchase the retail version of the PadPivot based on my experience (though if you insist, contact me and I’ll sell you mine, cheap).  I’m happy the developer was able to get his device carried by BestBuy and other major retail chains.  That’s the whole point of Kickstarter, kick starting your invention.  So, in that respect, I’m glad I could help.  I also took a look at their current model, PadPivot NST.  This version seems to have fixed the two biggest problems I had with the Kickstarter version:  they abandoned the “sticky pad” for something better that doesn’t get gummed up and they made the assembly / disassembly much easier.  You can read their FAQ which describes the differences.