Physical Desktop Mode with a Windows 8 Tablet: The Perfect Stand

So last week when I wrote the post My First 24 Hours With The Windows 8 Consumer Preview the very first observation on the touch side of using Windows 8 was the case.  Access to the 1 pixel border on a Windows 8 tablet is critical for accessing many of the swipe functions.  Whatever case or stand you choose it must allow access to that border or the touch experience in that case is not going to be good.

I purchased the WOWparts Leather Stand Folio Case Cover for Acer Iconia Tab W500 from Amazon for my tablet and it worked well however it restricted access to those borders and I had to slide the tablet around in the case when I wanted to swipe in from any side of the device.  This case also performed well as a stand but because it needed to sit flush to be properly supported in stand mode that prevented me from having my micro USB transceivers in the device (the two USB ports are along the bottom of the tablet) when I was in physical desktop mode with a mouse and keyboard.  With the USB transceivers inserted the screen sat crooked.

So I went in search of an alternative stand and/or case option so I could use the tablet with the micro transceivers plugged in and not impact the stability of the tablet when it was in the stand.  That meant it needed clearance along the bottom of the device for the transceivers to be inserted and not prevent it from sitting flush in the stand.  My primary concern was having it sit properly in physical desktop mode vice having it in a case.  I have a sleeve it can travel in when necessary to protect it.

My search ultimately ended up on Amazon and a Slim Folding Multi-Position Tablet Stand made by Case Logic.  The irony of the box being labeled for the iPad/iPad 2 does not escape me!

However, this stand is multi-tablet, i.e. supports different models and different brands, and supports them in a very secure manner.  It also met my requirement of allowing both USB ports to have the micro transceivers inserted so I can use my Microsoft Arc Wireless Keyboard and Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse.

The stand is very secure as it has rubber feet on the bottom to keep it in place on your desk and each contact point of the stand where the tablet rests has rubber pads to hold the tablet securely.  The stand has eight different positions that the back rest can be placed in and the back support the tablet leans against reaches up to well over two thirds of the height of the Acer Iconia Tablet as it sits in the stand.  A very sturdy setup across the board.

When I want to take the tablet somewhere else and work in touch mode I just have to grab it because no part of this stand hinders your ability to lift the tablet out of it and go.

Of course I get the best of both worlds when it is sitting in physical desktop mode because I have my mouse and keyboard connected but can also easily reach out and do touch actions such as picture password when logging into Windows 8.

So if you are looking for an option this Case Logic Slim Stand might just be it.

Check out the gallery below to see the stand in action.