Gogo Stump Stand is functional, attractive, and inexpensive

Its name may project all the grace of a blunt object, but the Stump Portable Tablet Stand, an all-purpose stand for iPads, iPhones, and tablets in general, has worked out to be one of my favorite mobile-device accessories.

The Stump Stand is a cylindrical, hard-rubber accessory with a deep slit across the top that holds your iPad, iPhone, e-reader, or other tablet in place. The stand can accommodate any device up to half an inch thick—it accommodates all versions of the iPad and the iPhone with or without a thin cover.

The Stump Stand, which actually does resemble a cut-off tree trunk, is minimalist in a good way, taking up no more room on your desk than is absolutely necessary. Its slit can hold your device in either portrait or landscape orientation. While holding your iPad upright in portrait orientation, a round cut-out lets you easily press the tablet’s Home button. To charge, however, you must position your iPad or iPhone in landscape orientation (or upside-down in portrait orientation) so the device’s dock-connector port is unobstructed.

The Stump Stand offers three viewing angles. Ramp position lets you lean your device against the sturdy base at an angle of approximately 20 degrees from flat; this angle is good for onscreen typing. Lean position, achieved by inserting your iPad into the higher step of the slit, gives you an angle of roughly 60 degrees from horizontal (or, thus, 30 degrees from vertical). Upright position, which uses the bottom step of the slit, stands your device nearly straight up—75 degrees (or 15 degrees from vertical).

You don't have to worry much about wobble: at 8.8 ounces, the Stump Stand is weighted for stability. Your device holds steady within the stump, whether you're typing, viewing video, or swiping through Web pages. The only time I perceived the Stump as less than rock steady was when the iPad was placed in portrait orientation in the lean position—firm taps near the top of the iPad’s screen can knock it over in this arrangement.

Though the Stump Stand is heavier than it looks, it’s still relatively light, and it’s small enough at just 3.5 inches across and 1.5 inches high to easily tote around.

The Stump Stand is also pretty—or maybe it just seems that way because it’s so simple and useful. In any case, The Stump won’t clash with the other gear on your desk, in your bedroom, or wherever you use your tablet or phone. I tested a black model, but the Stump Stand is also available in red, green, yellow, or pink. Each looks very nice with either white or black iOS devices.

Set into the bottom of the Stump is a medallion with a green Stump logo under a clear, dome finish—it looks quite handsome even if you don't normally see it. However, if you’re ordering Stump Stands in bulk and you’d like your own company logo, Stump will embed it in a one-inch medallion on the visible rear of the stand. When ordering custom Stumps, you can even choose custom colors. (Customization is free, although you must order at least 25 stands.)

I have nothing but good things to say about the Stump Stand, and that is a rare thing. Stump is the uncommon product that successfully combines utility with simplicity, is easy on the eyes, and comes at a reasonable price. I can't ask for more.