The Exaboard: A better clipboard
Last year, Karen sent me a great new product from Exaclair called the Exafolio, a sort of combination binder/accordion folder/notebook-and-pen holder that’s like an adult Trapper Keeper.
A couple of months ago, she sent me another product from the same line, the Exaboard. It’s like a clipboard, but so much better: it’s large and sturdy, with a front and a back plastic cover and a clip inside that holds a large Rhodia pad (or a President planner) and a pen. There’s also a slim pocket on the inside cover that could hold a couple of loose papers. Oh, and a little elastic closure to hold it all together.
Whereas my Exafolio is great for business meetings, the Exaboard is pure pleasure. I use it when I’m reading in my armchair and want a sturdy surface for taking notes. I use it when I want a break from my desk to do some offline outlining or brainstorming. I don’t draw, but I imagine it might also make a nifty surface for smaller on-the-road sketches, too.
At the moment, none of our retailers seems to show the Exaboard online, but Karen suggested people call Vickery in Colorado at 800-963-1050, or Racine’s Office & Art Supplies in California at 866-374-6972, if they want to try it out.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Does the front cover fold in back so it truly functions like a clipboard? The photos don’t show that configuration but I could imagine the elastic closure would hold things in place for that use. Lots of possibilities if that would work. Besides anything that works with Rhodia is a slam-dunk around here.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Yep, it totally does. There’s even a little groove in the plastic to keep the elastic band from sliding around…
June 9th, 2009 at 9:27 am
I recently discovered the Exafolio and want to try one but I may what and get one of these. I think I would have more use for it. Very nice product. Thanks for the heads up. Nr
June 9th, 2009 at 9:28 am
That was supposed to be “may wait”.Nr
June 9th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Oooh, this looks really handy! Love the elastic closure–stuff always seems to get crunched in my bag if they’re not completely enclosed. And I like that the clip doesn’t have a really protruding profile! Thanks for telling us where we might find them–that’s really helpful!
June 9th, 2009 at 9:43 am
@nrepose I really like both products, but I get far more use from the Exaboard on a day-to-day basis.
@kookychick Thanks for reminding me–the other cool thing about the clip is that the part that sticks out at the top is covered in a soft, rubbery material, so it won’t cut your bag (or your clothes or fingers).
June 9th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Something very similar to this was passed on to me last year by a friend (who got it as a marketing give-away at a seminar), and I love it. Mine doesn’t have the rubber band or the pen holder or the soft rubbery material on the clip, but from the first day I was smitten. It’s great to carry around or use as a portable desk-like surface to write on. The Exaclair version sounds even better. I hope it will be available soon as it’s a great concept, and I’d like to give some as gifts.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
It looks great and multi-purposed.
Wet Paint in Minneapolis, MN, art suppliers, might be a good vendor to carry this product. They often are the first to bring in European and/or hard to purchase items.
June 21st, 2009 at 10:43 pm
I’m so confused.
I can buy them at Racine Art and Supply in California?
But I LIVE in Racine, Wisconsin.