Heckler Design @Rest Review

Anyone who has been in my office knows what kind of wreck my desk is. Anything that makes it a little easier to work around is a massive bonus. When I picked up a new iPad I was confounded by how to store/use it when I was seated at, what my Wife refers to as the "NASA Control Center". Sure I could always just lay it flat on the desk next to my mouse, but that did not put it at a good angle to actually see. My iPad is equipped with a Smart Cover, so the option to prop it up that was is available. However the Smart Cover is not very secure and rocks precariously if you attempt to type. Knocking my new, expensive iPad Retina on the floor was not a chance I wanted to take.

I did some browsing in the local stores and saw several different types of docks and rests. Most were not designed to work with the new Lightning connector. The rests I looked at were mostly lightweight and made of plastic. I was not impressed.

I did some quick browsing online and came across the @Rest from Heckler Design. The @Rest is definitely not to be considered "portable". It's several pounds of steel formed into a pleasing curved shape. It offers two different viewing angles that can be selected by simply turning the rest 180 degrees and moving the bottom rubber "pegs". It can be had in a number of powder coated finishes. The Silver nicely compliments the iPad's aluminum case.

The weight of the @Rest gives you the ability to tap away on the screen without any movement of the unit. This is aided by four rubber feet on the bottom. Your device is protected from any scratches by foam pads in the center of each face and the rubber pegs at the bottom. The pegs are hooked to keep the iPad from sliding off. Additionally when used with the Smart Cover folded back, the magnets in the Smart Cover assist in gripping the @Rest.

The @Rest comes in a form fitted cardboard box and some assembly is required. You have to attach the foam pads and rubber feet. Then slide the pegs into the notches cut in the side. Only one set of pegs is included, so you must decide what angle you want to use. A second set of pegs is available from Heckler Design for $12.

If the @Rest was simply an iPad stand it would be amazing enough. The fact that you can also use it to support a MacBook makes it a "must have" for a mobile user when not mobile. The price is high at $49, but for that price you get a beautiful piece of American metalwork.

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