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iPad iPad Sharp Edges

D

daudi81

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 26, 2013
114
6
So I've been loving my iPad Air since I got it on release day. However, I've noticed that I get a LOT of fatigue when I'm holding it for any length of time - especially if I'm laying in bed on my back, holding the iPad in both hands (landscape or portrait mode). I've had to resort to using my nexus 7 to watching movies in bed because I just can't hold the iPad Air without getting fatigue.

So, thinking that the weight was the issue, I went out and bought a new iPad Mini retina. I love it, however I noticed the same fatigue issue - which didn't make sense because my Nexus 7 weight slightly more.

Once I started paying close attention, I began to notice that the new iPad's have pretty sharp edges and they definitely cut into your skin. It's too slight to be painful by any means, but it's just enough to cause comfort issues and brings on fatigue much faster. It's usually only when I'm laying down in bed, holding it up with my arms, which unfortunately is when I use it the most. With the Nexus 7, I can hold it for hours, and I have to take a break after 10-15 minutes with the iPad Mini/Air. The Nexus has rounded / rubber edges and much more comfortable to hold. I really hate cases, but I'm guessing a case will remedy this?

Does anyone else have this issue, or am I just a pansy?
 
I can get tired of holding it in certain ways but no more or less then any other tablet. I can get tired of holding even my phone above my head for a long enough duration.
 
Right, I mean anything will get tiring to hold over your head after awhile. The sharp edges on the ipad air/mini 2 just make it more annoying to hold than say the nexus 7 that has rounded rubber-ish sides. If I'm not laying on my back holding the tablet up it's not as bad, but that's how I mostly use this thing.

I'll probably just need a bumper or a case and call it good. Just wish I didn't need to use one solely for comfort reasons. Anyone suggest a nice soft rubberish case that fixes this, without adding much weight or size? Maybe I'll create one.
 
As much as I like most of Apple's physical design decisions, I must say that the sharp edge thing has been a constant annoyance for me with all of their mobile devices I've owned. The front edge on the MacBook where your palms rest when typing and the bottom edges on both the iPad 2 and the Retina Mini iPad that make both uncomfortable to hold when reading. They should do better.
 
Try holding it like this:
- pointer finger on side of ipad ( like the silver edging)
- thumb at the bottom of ipad underneath home button (same edging as pointer)
- middle/ring fingers on back corner of ipad.

I find this a very comfortable way to hold it
 
daudi81 said:
Right, I mean anything will get tiring to hold over your head after awhile. The sharp edges on the ipad air/mini 2 just make it more annoying to hold than say the nexus 7 that has rounded rubber-ish sides. If I'm not laying on my back holding the tablet up it's not as bad, but that's how I mostly use this thing.

I'll probably just need a bumper or a case and call it good. Just wish I didn't need to use one solely for comfort reasons. Anyone suggest a nice soft rubberish case that fixes this, without adding much weight or size? Maybe I'll create one.
Click to expand...

Ok, let me get this right. You hold an iPad air over your head while laying in bed to watch a movie?? If this is correct I think it's time to get a tv. The ergonomics of this to watch a movie?? You are kidding right??
 
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jca24 said:
Ok, let me get this right. You hold an iPad air over your head while laying in bed to watch a movie?? If this is correct I think it's time to get a tv. The ergonomics of this to watch a movie?? You are kidding right??
Click to expand...

Watching a movie on an ipad in bed is much more comfortable than sitting on the couch and watching tv.
 
jca24 said:
Ok, let me get this right. You hold an iPad air over your head while laying in bed to watch a movie?? If this is correct I think it's time to get a tv. The ergonomics of this to watch a movie?? You are kidding right??
Click to expand...

I actually hold it like that from time to time (just lock my elbows) and never had an issue, except for the time when it slipped out of my hand and fell right on my face… yea it hurt
 
I think a big part of the problem is the iPad's slipperyness. I've found that when tablets have grippy rubber backs or edges you don't need to grip it nearly as tightly to hold it. That's why I like the Apple iPhine bumper cases. They make the phone so much more grippy that you can hold it much more lightly and it prevents hand fatigue.

My day to day tablet also has a soft rubber back and it makes hand fatigue much less frequent.

My wife's iPad has egrip strips on the back and side bezels and they help a ton with long term hand holding/fatigue.
 
Yes, the sharp edges bothered me, coupled that with a slippery back as another poster mentioned make it less comfortable to hold. I use my iPhone 5 without a case, but I can't stand the iPad Air naked.

I use the SmartCase and it makes a huge different. A SmartCase with a lid cut off may be the perfect case for you. Some one on this forum did it and loved it. It's minimal, fits perfectly, and the leather is really nice and comfortable to hold.
 
iPad Air Smart Case solved it for me. No more cold,sharp edges and when I fold the cover back the soft material underneath rests in my hand providing a comfortable feeling that's also substantial in my day to day usage.
 
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