The Strut LaunchPort charging system.Strut, a maker of grills and wheels for luxury cars, is seeking to add its touch of refinement to the iPad.
The company, based in California, recently introduced the Strut LaunchPort, an elegant charging system for the iPad. A version for the iPad mini is coming.
The LaunchPort system includes a pedestal and a sleeve that interact to charge the iPad. After being secured in the plastic sleeve, the iPad attaches to the pedestal by strong magnets. Once there, it starts drawing power automatically through induction technology.
A LaunchPort system typically costs about $350. The Strut LaunchPort, however, will set you back $1,500, more than twice the cost of the 64-gigabyte iPad, and it will be sold in boutique jewelry stores and Neiman Marcus.
Admittedly, that hefty price tag brings an air of style and sophistication. The pedestal comprises a heavy sphere that rests on a chrome-plated stainless steel ring embossed with Strut's logo. The sphere can rotate and pivot, allowing multiple viewing angles.
The sphere comes in three colors â€" chrome, white and black â€" and the sleeve is available in five ready-made finishes like walnut burl, black carbon fiber and leopard print, as well as seven special-order finishes. A mini-USB cable is included for charging when the Strut LaunchPort is not at hand.
The striking design of the Strut LaunchPort makes it an easy fit for a corporate office with a plush carpet, oak paneling and a mahogany desk. But I don't have access to one of those, so I set it up on my coffee table. And there it stayed, because it was too heavy to move. The sleeve is detachable, but it is awkward to hold and does not offer much protection.
The Strut LaunchPort offers the appearance of wealth and prestige, which is good, because it is intended for people who like to show off their gadgets. For the rest of us, a 30-pin connector will do just fine.
A version of this article appeared in print on 06/06/2013, on page B10 of the NewYork edition with the headline: A Charger That Costs Way More Than the iPad.