Perfectly updated BookArc works with the new MacBook Pro
I love my new MacBook Pro with TouchBar. It’s been an amazing computer. One thing I truly enjoy is the amazing resolution. It is stunning. The issue is that even though I love the screen on my 15″ MBP, I also love my 34-inch LG monitor that I use to edit videos and photos. When I connect my MBP to the monitor I always use it in clamshell mode. That’s when you close the lid of your laptop and the screen shows up on your monitor exactly the way it does on your laptop. The nice thing about this setup is that it allows you the freedom to unclutter your desk, too. In clamshell mode, you can store your laptop on a keyboard tray (if it’s strong enough), on a standard laptop stand, or on a vertical stand like the Twelve South BookArc.
Twelve South is one of those companies I trust with my Apple products. They create accessories exclusively for Apple products and because of this the team at Twelve South can focus on every little detail that is missed by so many others. Twelve South products are made to look like part of the Apple ecosystem and they work flawlessly with your devices. Even the boxes their products are shipped in are a work of art that that was designed so people would use them rather than toss them out.
That brings me to the BookArc. It’s a vertical MacBook/MacBook Pro stand that was originally released in 2009. It was Twelve South’s very first product and also one of its most popular. Here we are 8 years later and the BookArc has been made over to evolve with the MacBook design. Today, the BookArc is made from aluminum. There is a gorgeous polished chamfered edge that matches the new mirrored Apple logo that is part of the 12-inch MacBook design. The BookArc has been redesigned to work with the 12-inch MacBook and the brand new MacBook Pro with and without Touch Bar. Unlike the 2009 edition, the new BookArc is shipped with three inserts to ensure that your laptop can be used with the stand without damage occurring.
When you open the box, you will find the BookArc sitting on top of inserts. It comes with one insert preinstalled (Insert B). If that is your particular laptop, you can just take the BookArc out of the box and get back to work. But, if you need to swap out the insert, you simply pull out the silicone insert that was preinstalled and then slip the one you need over the metal edge of the inner cutout in the stand. You are done within just a few minutes. Now, even though the BookArc ships with three inserts, if you have a different laptop, you can order a separate insert to match your machine. Twelve South makes that easy by providing a list of inserts available online.
The bottom of the stand reveals the cable-catch channels on either end of the BookArc and also four silicone feet on each of the corners. This helps you keep your desk surface free of scratches. I wouldn’t recommend sliding the BookArc around a lot as there could still be a sharp edge around the silicone feet.
| BookArc Specs | |
|---|---|
| BookArc | Height: 2.2 inches (5.5 cm) Width: 3.6 inches (9.2 cm) Depth: 8.46 inches (21.5 cm) Weight: 0.35 pounds (.16 kg) |
| Insert Compatibility | Insert B: MacBook Pro (Retina) & MacBook Air Insert C: MacBook Insert D: MacBook Pro (Late 2016) |
I’m the type of person that is constantly trying to find the most optimum option for my workspace. I want something clean and decluttered. I want something that’s functional, but not boring. So, I am always trying to find the best accessories to make my workspace…work. The BookArc has granted me some peace of mind because it not only allows me the best storage option for my computer while it’s in closed-clamshell mode, but it is also a gorgeous stand that compliments my setup nicely. It even travels well because it’s lightweight and there are no moving parts to it. The only thing I would like to see improved on the BookArc is the color choice. Twelve South matches the elegance of the classic Apple aluminum color, but now that there are several color choices for the laptops, it would be nice to have one that matches my particular color choice (Space Gray). That said, lack of color choice is definietely not a deal breaker in my opinion.
So, the big question is, should you buy this? My answer is “Yes.” Twelve South created an easy to use stand for the new MacBook Pro. It’s well made, well balanced for the computer it’s holding up, and for the price, you won’t be disappointed.
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