IPORT LAUNCH (LaunchPort) BaseStation iPad Stand - Compatible with all LAUNCH Cases - Silver

I'm using the iPort LaunchPort BaseStation with an iPad mini. I'm simply sitting it on a night stand and I've plugged the AC adapter into a wall outlet.I really like the looks and finish. It's solid... well built and of good quality. I've had it for a month now and I'm very happy with it.

Item came broken. I tried to have it repaired but the cost was not worth it. By the time I got the item back from the repair shop the 30 day return period had passed.

I have a Crestron wireless remote for my media room. After several years, the remote started to malfunction frequently. Rather than purchasing a replacement Crestron, I opted for this LaunchPort sleeve and base station. Looks terrific and ergonomically sound. The ipad mini works flawlessly to control all equipment, and now has a professional appearance thanks to the LaunchPort sleeve and base.

These used to be 4-star products, hampered only by their high cost. Now, they are down to a 2.5 to 3-star product for the silver version of this base station and slightly higher for the black finish. They still work well, but the manufacturer has changed from a beautiful brushed aluminum finish to a much cheaper looking silver powder-coated painted finish. So now this costly charger base which at least looked high-end before is even more over-priced since we are paying the same for a much cheaper finish. I can only imagine that they changed the finish to reduce costs, yet they have not passed these savings down to the consumer. These would be fairly priced at around $65 for the current finish and $100 for the previous brushed aluminum finish. At $180 to $200, the cost is hard to justify. I just bought the silver version from another online reseller and am very disappointed in the change to a painted finish. I much prefer the previous brushed aluminum finish.

A pain free way of mounting and charging Apple's iOS devices has always been one of the barriers to using them as an integral part of home life (IMHO).When we moved into our new home, we wanted to eliminate some of the computers that had built up for general use - notably one we kept in the kitchen for checking email, reading recipes, and buying groceries while in a "family" space.In conjunction with the LaunchPort sleeve for the appropriate iPad, this makes a great, neat, countertop solution. I can use the iPad while sat at the counter, or undock it and snap it onto the fridge (the LaunchPort sleeves use magnetic induction charging to avoid wires, and turns the iPad into a handy 'fridge magnet).We've also added a WallPort to keep an iPad handy for controlling our home automation system, or making FaceTime calls with family.The *only* reasons this didn't get five stars:1. The base is really nicely made, and well finished. It's got just the right weight to it. Then it comes with a large, bulky, ugly power supply that spoils the "look". iPort needs to take an example from Apple here - power supplies are a necessary evil, but can be attractive too.2. It is fairly expensive solution. Once you've added sleeves you're almost at double the price of an iPad.....

Heavy duty and works great for my Irule system.

defective

I bought this thinking I could output to a projector or large monitor using the port located on the bottom of the accompanied iPort Sleeve for the iPad 2. You cannot. You can output using your iPad 2 with wireless and Apple TV. I would much rather have the option to use the iPad 2 hardwired while utilizing this devise. I contacted iPort LaunchPort support but got no reply. I would probably not buy anymore equipment from this company for that reason. This is not an inexpensive devise, and expect more from a company with regards to support. No response is unacceptable.It is a very cool design, but I only use it as a charging station in my house. My initial thought was to use this in the courtroom during presentation needs. But with the limitations I've mentioned, it's not worth the risk.