The Satechi R1 Arm Series is an aluminum tablet stand that holds phones, tablets, and eReaders at adjustable angles and heights via two hinges. After extended use with a Motorola XOOM, it became a daily fixture on the desk, effectively turning the tablet into a secondary screen for email and chat without needing to hold the device.
Build quality is excellent. The stand is solid and doesn’t slide, thanks to rubber feet on the base. Rubber padding on the contact points where the device rests prevents scratches and scuffs. The two hinges allow meaningful angle and height adjustment and show no signs of wearing out. The folding design and included carrying bag make it genuinely portable.
It works well as a speakerphone stand for phones, a reading stand for eReaders, and a recipe display for the kitchen. A Bluetooth keyboard can slide neatly underneath the stand when not in use.
Price is the main hesitation. At $49.99 retail (around $44.99 on Amazon at time of writing), it’s more than a basic stand. But unlike device-specific folio cases, it works with essentially any mobile device, which makes the price easier to justify for anyone who regularly uses more than one gadget.
