With such a simple object we cannot help but stick to simple words: the Mika is first and foremost a solidly built, beautiful universal tablet stand designed straight out of Apple’s rule book. It’s not loaded with features, neither is it cheep, but you’d have to look long and hard to find another stand that integrates this well with a desktop environment already populated with lots of Apple aluminum.

Editor's Rating 

Don’t be surprised if at first glance the Mika stand from Bluelounge makes you think that it is in fact the base of a current model iMac that someone detached from the main component of Apple’s sleek desktop PC. While the Mika is smaller than its design inspiration, its shape, construction, aluminum material and finish are all but the same. No wonder: the designers at Bluelounge sit in front of just such a row of Apple desktops in their office.

While Mika will stably support your tablet in the appropriate viewing position, it unfortunately cannot provide the same if you want a comfortable typing or browsing angle. It will however let a device maintain its cool even under duress from processor intensive tasks that might otherwise cause heat to be trapped inside passively cooled tablets. While it is certainly possible to take the Mika with you, it is a bit cumbersome since this is just a single piece of rigid metal that will not fold over itself to allow small profile carry mode. So it’s probably best to keep the Mika on your desk and marvel at its sheer Bauhaus beauty.

Pros

• 2013 Golden Case Awards nominee for Best Tablet Stand
• Allows excellent device cooling
• Beautiful Apple inspired look
• Supports a variety of devices

Overall: OKAY

Because this very basic stand looks a lot like the base of an Apple iMac, it will be most appealing to mobile device users who already have just such a desktop computer in their home or office, and want to populate their workspace with an accessory that will not stand out from that uniform display of metallic modernity. For Mac lovers this is likely going to prove to be an accessory that is hard to resist, especially if it lands on their desk as a gift.

Features

• Universal design to fit any tablet size 5” to 12”
• Beautifully formed in solid Aluminum
• Perfect aesthetic match for Apple iPads and iPad Mini
• Soft TPU rubber edges hold the device secure
• Integrates seamlessly onto any desk or tabletop
• Keeps your workspace neat and tidy
• Displays the tablet at an ergonomic angle for browsing, viewing and reading with ease

Specifications