Horrible!
1) the shipping box is barely bigger than the product with no padding. Every time the box is dented to is the product
2) the easle is poorly constructed and was already cracked twice
3) ordered a replacement, that too was severely damaged.
4) it may be bamboo but it has a wood design paper adhered to the wood so it will eventually peel off.

Picture 1: Former broken spot that was glued back together plus an additional new crack
Picture 2: Circular cuts on the base
Picture 3: Paper that covers wood peeling off
Picture 4: Dented corner
Picture 5: Peeling, discoloration, uneven spacing
Picture 6: Peeling, discoloration, uneven spacing of the bar for the book to rest on
Picture 7: Horrible discoloration OUTSIDE WOOD PATTER IS PAPER NOT WOOD
Picture 8: Horrible peeling of the paper covering\

NO NOT BUY!!!!

UPDATE::: A month into it and a piece of the wood fell off, and it has been sitting on my desktop the whole time. I still think it is pretty and it holds the book so it is functional but there is a piece of wood that fell off the front. I am bummed, as a student all investments are precious, as money is scarce. I tried to contact the seller but per Amazon, it is too late.

PREVIOUS REVIEW
Very well made. I saw this at the university book store and loved it but it was pricey. I checked on Amazon and it was much more reasonable. I am very happy with it. I have very large heavy books this semester and I love being able to look over and the pages are not flat.

I bought this to use as an easel for painting. I work on a small scale, so I didn't need a standing easel or one that could accommodate large canvases. I WAS looking for something portable, however. There are many easels like this online - some are really bulky and include a drawer or two that can hold supplies, but I find that to be an unnecessary addition that reduces it's packability. With as many art supplies as I own, I need something that is space-saving, not bulky.

Other easels seemed to be made poorly with wood that looked rough and possibly splinter-prone. This easel is smooth and well-made - no splinters! In fact, it would be pretty easy to clean with soap and water if you got paint on it. It also lays completely flat which is marvelous! I could put this in a tote bag when I'm painting outside or going to a class, or I could lay it flat on a shelf and hardly know it was there.

If you're a person that likes to stand and paint, you might find this to be a bad choice. Plein-air painting would be difficult unless you plan on sitting somewhere. You could sit this on a table at home and paint while standing, but unless the table is high enough, you're in for some neck pain. It's worth purchasing, though, if you're new to painting and want something small to start out with, especially if you need it for an art class.

As a side note, at most you could fit a 9x12 inch canvas or sketch pad on here before it loses its purpose as a functioning easel. Anything bigger and you'd have to hold onto your canvas while painting it so it doesn't tip, defeating the purpose.

Bought this for using my 10.5" tablet while relaxing in bed and reading hard cover books. Will use outside too, if spring ever decides to stay. Like this one for the back bar that's used for the adjustable positions. The bar and corresponding grooves runs the whole length of the easel so won't "skip" to the next setting. The ledges hold my tablet with the cover on. It also holds the book I'm currently reading which measures 6.5" long x 9.5" high x 3" deep when closed. Completely portable. Folds to the size of a small cutting board. I thought it a little pricey until I looked at others which seemed to have less integrity. The positioning bar is what sold me

This stand has been very helpful, it can hold my very heavy 425 to 630 page books. It has 3 recline setting and that is good to have. I even rest my cellphone on it while typing like I am doing right this minute. It says art table but really it can hold other items too. It is compact enough for me to carry it to school.