DVD Case iPad Stand with USB cord attached.

I’ve been on the look out for an iPad stand that I can throw in my laptop bag.  I’ve come across various DIY options, but all of them seemed either way too much work or not portable.  The .69 business card holder was the frontrunner, but I don’t have an Office Depot nearby, and also didn’t like the fact that it wasn’t something that would fold flat. Inspired by this Gizmodo post, I came up with a solution that you can create in a couple minutes.  All you need is a standard single DVD case, and a couple of binder clips, and you’ve got yourself a foldable, portable, flat, lightweight, adjustable, iPad case for $0:

1. Empty the case
2. Fold it back to the angle you prefer
3. Fold the outside clear plastic around the side where the DVD should go, and use the binder clips to secure it.
4. Insert your iPad into the DVD case interior clips

It folds in half for a quick stash in your bag, but is pretty rough around the edges.  For a cleaner fold:

1. 

   DVD Case iPad Stand folded up.

   Remove the binder clips

2. Re-clip them to the side of the DVD case opposite where the DVD would normally go
3. Close the case

It works in both portrait and landscape orientations, and even accommodates the data cable if you bend the clips forward a bit to give it clearance.

DVD Case iPad Stand in landscape mode.

It might not take win any beauty contests or take the edge off the $30/month you’re shelling out for the 3G data plan, but just might give you a warm fuzzy feeling that you did the green thing by finding a use for your old stuff.

I’d love to hear if anyone tries this out.  Have any improvement suggestions?

DVD Case iPad Stand from the back.

DVD Case iPad Stand at a steep angle.

DVD Case iPad Stand at a shallow angle.