As reported on TechCrunch.
by Catherine Shu
The MagBak claims to be the world’s thinnest mount for the iPad. Indeed, the entire kit consists of a wall holder (called the MagStick) that is only slightly thicker than pencil and a strong but thin magnetic grip which adheres to the back of the tablet. The latest version of the MagBak, which is available for the Air and Mini models, is on Kickstarter and has already raised nearly double its $15,000 goal with three days left in the campaign.
Like other “damage-free” iPad wall mounting kits, the MagStick sticks to walls or furniture with double-sided 3M Command strips, which are strong but not supposed to damage surfaces as long as they are removed carefully. But the MagStick’s hardware is smaller and sleeker than leading competitors, including the Koala Mount for tablets.
The grip, which a Smart Cover can attach to, is made from magnets covered with silicone, so it also sticks to refrigerators and other metal surfaces.
Attaching an expensive iDevice to the wall with double-sided adhesive and a magnet might seem like a recipe for disaster, but the MagBak kit, which first launched in 2013, felt very secure when I tested it out with an iPad Air.
(One thing to keep in mind, however, is that most small 3M Command strips aren’t suited for humid environments according to the manufacturer’s site. iPad users who live somewhere rainy or muggy should consider forgoing damage-free holders for more permanent, screw-mounted hardware.)
A small quibble about the MagBak is that I can’t use my favorite Moshi cover or a keyboard case while the grip is attached. On the other hand, Magbak’s makers claim that silicone makes the tablet more comfortable to hold if you remove it from the mount and I found that to be true. The MagBak starts at $34 for a basic bundle, which includes the grip and one MagStick.